Parenting post separation can be hard enough but when you add the Christmas period into the mix, emotions and tensions can be a recipe for disaster.
For those who are recently separated or divorced the pressure of learning how to celebrate the festive season as a single parent can often be daunting.
Across Australia the second Friday of November each year marks the cut-off date for applications to be filed in the Federal Circuit and Family Court’s to be heard in time for Christmas.
For many newly separated parents, this deadline will be out of reach simply because there is not sufficient time to comply with the Section 60I requirement of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) which requires parties to attempt mediation before being eligible to be able to make an application to the Court.
In these types of situations, it is often hard to see past the frustration but it is important to recognise that although you might like to spend Christmas Day with your children, chances are the other parent would like to as well.
To help you navigate your way through this holiday period and ensure the children don’t have to endure warring parents, our solicitors have provided some tips to avoid conflict.
- Communication is key – expecting the other parent to understand what you want, without explaining why, is never going to work.
- Compromise – effective co-parenting post separation requires give and take. It can’t be all about what you want.
- Be civil – sometimes there is merit in being the bigger person.
- Don’t fight and argue in front of the children. Remember that your children are the innocent victims in this scenario.
- Be Prepared – if you plan on travelling with your children over the Christmas period, make sure you talk to the other parent about this as early as possible. Also, don’t forget to check the terms of your current Court Orders if your matter is already in court.
Contact MSA Lawyers to learn more.
