07943 286229
Christmas child arrangements can be difficult for separated parents to agree. Family mediation can help parents make practical arrangements for the Christmas holidays while keeping the focus on what is best for their children.
Christmas is a special time for families, but for separated parents it can also be a particularly challenging time of year. Deciding where children will spend Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the school holidays can sometimes lead to disagreements and uncertainty.
The good news is that family mediation can help separated parents agree Christmas arrangements without having to go to court, where mediation is suitable.
Why agree Christmas arrangements early?
Christmas can be an emotional time, particularly when parents are no longer living together. Both parents may understandably want to spend Christmas Day with their children, and wider family commitments can make arrangements even more complicated.
Leaving discussions until the last minute can increase stress for everyone.
By starting the conversation early, parents have more time to consider their children’s needs and find arrangements that work for the whole family.
What can be discussed in family mediation?
Family mediation gives parents the opportunity to discuss practical arrangements for their children in a supported and structured environment.
Christmas mediation can include discussions about:
- Where children will spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
- When children will spend time with each parent
- How the Christmas and New Year school holidays will be shared
- Arrangements for collecting and returning the children
- Christmas celebrations with grandparents and other family members
- Travel arrangements and family traditions
- How future Christmas holidays might be arranged
There is no single solution that works for every family. Mediation allows parents to consider their own circumstances and work towards an arrangement that is suitable for their children.
Keeping children at the heart of Christmas arrangements
For children, Christmas can be an exciting and important time of year. At the same time, disagreements between parents can make the festive period more difficult for them.
Family mediation can help parents move away from arguments about what happened in the past and concentrate on making practical arrangements for the future.
The aim is not for one parent to “win” Christmas. It is about finding a workable arrangement that allows children to enjoy the festive period and maintain important relationships with both parents, where appropriate.
£500 family mediation voucher available
The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme can help make mediation more affordable for eligible families.
A voucher worth up to £500 can usually be available towards the cost of family mediation, regardless of income. The voucher is intended to contribute towards mediation sessions and cannot be used to pay for the Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM). (GOV.UK)
The mediator will discuss eligibility with you and, where appropriate, apply for the voucher.
Do you need help agreeing Christmas child arrangements?
If you are separated and have not yet agreed arrangements for the Christmas holidays, starting the conversation sooner rather than later can help reduce uncertainty and avoid last-minute disagreements.
Family mediation provides a safe and structured opportunity for parents to discuss their concerns, listen to each other’s views and work towards an agreement about their children.
At Manchester & Cheshire Mediation, our family mediators can help parents discuss child arrangements, including Christmas and school holiday arrangements, where mediation is appropriate.
If you would like to find out whether family mediation could help you and your family, contact Manchester & Cheshire Mediation today.
