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Organising Christmas Between Two Homes

By: Emma Jones - Updated: 20 Dec 2020 | comments*Discuss
 
Christmas Child Mother Home Family Two

Christmas is a family time and it is natural that you are going to want to spend it with your child. When you are separated though it becomes a lot more difficult to enjoy this and other Important Milestones with your children. You and your ex will both want to spend this special time with your child and you need to come to some kind of agreement. Try to keep it fair and think about the extended family as well. Whatever you do, resist the temptation to make up for your absence with gifts and always put the needs of your child first.

Keeping it fair

You and your ex need to find a way that you can both be involved in your child’s Christmas. Whether it is an arrangement that they spend Christmas day at one house and Boxing Day at the other, or perhaps you agree that you will have your child every other Christmas. You may decide to celebrate Christmas early so your child gets two special days. Whatever the arrangement is, try to make it a fair one.

Resisting Temptation to Spoil

Christmas is a time for giving but also a time to spend with the ones we love – be careful not to get the two confused. It can be easy to try to make up for not being there by spoiling your child or try to compete with their mother as the best parent. Instead, think of ways to create special memories together, such as visiting Santa, playing in the snow or making Christmas cards together.

Extended family

As well as you and your ex, you need to consider extended family at Christmas. Grandparents on both sides will want to be involved and still need to be a part of your child’s life. Perhaps they can come to yours and join in when your child comes to visit or you can arrange a date with your ex when they can visit. Make sure that they do not feel cut out as it is important they maintain a relationships with your child.

Put your child first

Although you will want to see your child's face when they open your great gifts, you need to put their needs first. If the journey is going to be too long or hectic to do at Christmas, you may have to forfeit it. Also don’t make them miss a party or Christmas play so you can see them as they will only resent this.

Being apart form your child at Christmas is heart-wrenching, but being separated from their mother means it may be a reality. Try to work together to find a fair solution that may involved taking turns or spending half the time at each home. Make the time you do spend with them special by creating memories together that can’t be bought.

Check out the Separated Dads Forum... It's a great resource where you can ask for advice on topics including Child Access, Maintenance, CAFCASS, Fathers Rights, Court, Behaviour or simply to have a chat with other dads.

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Can my children spend this Xmas with their dad with the restrictions? He supposed to be having them Xmas eve until new years eve? We have been split for 4 9 years and always alternate Xmas every year
Emm - 20-Dec-20 @ 12:20 AM
Can my child still see his dad on boxing day
Nicky - 20-Dec-20 @ 12:05 AM
As a mother I think it’s best to split Xmas day in half for my child she loves her dad and wants to see him After all it is Christmas Day that presents should be opened not Boxing Day Santa don’t deliver Xmas presents Boxing Day She will wake up at mine open her presents and her dad can collect her at 2/3pm That way she gets some decent time with her dad in Xmas day I would not want to spoil her Christmas Even If her dad was let’s say not bothered I will still give him This option to do this as I would not want to spoil my Child’s Xmas
Nicky - 17-Dec-20 @ 10:44 AM
I am 23 weeks pregnant with my third child with my new partner my two little boys I had with my ex I’ve said this year so it’s not hectic for them both that their dad has them Boxing Day instead of 5pm Christmas Day he’s not so happy about this but I feel I’m doing the best for the boys so it’s not such a rush for them Help my ex isn’t very understanding and thinks about himself a lot he also thinks I’m having the boys for my sake that’s not the case I just want them to be chilled and happy Christmas
Chlo - 10-Dec-20 @ 2:17 AM
I've been seperated for the last 4 years now and always collected my three boys on Christmas day at 5pm with no issues. The boys mother is now saying I can only collect the boys up at 6pm now as her new boyfriend doesn't get till the house till late after seeing his kids. ( Not my problem ) I have a 2.5 hour drive to their house and once I have picked them up the same drive again. ( 5 hours driving on Christmas day ) I know she is trying to make my Christmas day worthless and as late as possible. previously she was stood at the front door and not letting the boys out the house as I was 10 minutes early. I dont mind waiting outside the house for 10 minutes but its upsetting my boys. Whats your advice about the 6pm collection which has always been 5pm and the boys not getting to my house till late on Christmas day?
Tez - 7-Dec-20 @ 12:57 PM
I'm divorced for 4 years, this year my ex is having the kids Christmas day, i was told to pick them up at 5pm but i said I'm at my girlfriend's parents as she's 30 on Christmas eve so I'll collect them boxing day morning and have that as our Christmas day. She went ballistic calling me a rubbish dad and slagging off my girlfriend
Matto - 4-Dec-18 @ 1:38 PM
I have been separated over a year and my ex claims that I will never have my kids Xmas eve over night as she deserves a reward for being a good mum. She thinks as she takes them yo school and for haircuts etc she should be rewarded. So as a good dad what's my reward??
Ratos - 18-Sep-17 @ 5:53 PM
Am I aloud to take my son away to my parents house for Xmas eve through to the day after Boxing Day every other Xmas ?
Chris - 30-Jan-16 @ 8:27 AM
Thanks for the reply Matt, things are quite amicable at the moment with me and the mother, haven't had to go through court orders or anything so guess I will have to see what happens rather than risk causing problems, at the moment I can see my daughter as often as I wish, will have to see if this changes around special occasions.....
J.Jacobs - 10-Apr-15 @ 2:06 AM
@J.Jacobs - I am sorry to hear this, but it applies only if you have a court order. I'm afraid there are no hard and fast rules unless it is put in front of a judge to decide.
Matt - 5-Mar-15 @ 2:56 PM
Having just gone through my first Christmas away from my daughter I was told i have a right to have her every other Christmas,can anyone confirm or deny that please? She had just turned 4 so was the first year she fully understood the excitement and to miss out on seeing her that morning was sickening.
J.Jacobs - 4-Mar-15 @ 4:08 AM
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