We understand that Christmas is a very important time of year to spend quality time with your children. For a lot of separated parents trying to make arrangements so that children seen both parents can be difficult and emotional.

Children very rarely want to choose between their parents. Asking children to make difficult decisions can put a lot of pressure on them. It is therefore better for the parents to make those important decisions in a way that focuses on their children’s needs and welfare.

If you are reading this in December then it is highly unlikely a Court it will be able to deal with child arrangements for this Christmas. This is why most parents choose Family Mediation to sort out arrangements. Mediation is recognised as an effective and amicable way to sort out child Christmas arrangements. Our experienced Family Mediators have a lot of experience sorting out arrangements around the festive period. We can arrange meetings quickly whether that be in our offices or online if you are not local or find it difficult to attend in person.

Until April 2025, the government are offering a £500 Mediation Voucher to all parents towards their Joint Mediation Session which significantly reduces the cost of Mediation at such an expensive time of year.

There is no right or wrong arrangement for children at Christmas and Mediators help parents work out what is the best arrangement to suit their family. Our Mediators are skilled and experienced and can offer a range of Christmas options to parents. We recognise that children have a right to spend time with both parents and our mediators work with parents in a fair, child focused way to work out the best arrangements. That may be alternating Christmas or sharing time at Christmas so both parents get to have that quality time with their children. As well as sorting out Christmas this year we also try to look at long-term future proof arrangements.

As well as arranging the days and times that each parent will spend with their children, there may be other issues such as handovers and financial matters that need to be resolved. Sometimes there may be difficulties where parents don’t live near each other. Also separated parents may have their own families and other children that need to be considered.

Although there are typical arrangements there is no ‘set’ arrangement for Christmas and some parents may look to find a solution that can be quite creative in the best interest of their children. Modern families can be quite large. Sometimes parents may have to work over the Christmas period but they still want to spend time with their children. Children may also want to have the opportunity to spend time with extended family members. Sometimes Christmas is more important to one side of the family than the other.

Mediation allows parents to discuss these arrangements in a safe and structured environment. Parents are able to talk to each other, to listen to each other and explain how they feel. Sometimes communication between parents has become difficult and mediation often focuses on the communication between the parents so that’s it does not have a detrimental effect on the child’s well-being.

If you wish to discuss this with our trained staff please feel free to get in touch on 0115 9247022 or email familymediationnottingham@campions.co.uk