- Children stay with one of their parents from 24 December to 26 December and with the other from 29 December to New Year's Day, alternating the arrangement each year.
- Some years grandparents could join you, and others you might go visiting.
- Don't try and fit in visits to too many relatives in a short time, especially if this involves driving some distance.
- Treat children fairly - but this does not necessarily mean equally. Suggest a grandparent put money in a child's bank account rather than a wrapped present as this is less obvious to step-siblings.
- If you are celebrating Christmas Day on another day, suggest that visiting family with children keep back some of their presents to bring with them for unwrapping rather than just watch your children open lots of presents. (Do this yourselves if the situation is reversed.)
- Present yourselves as a whole family - send cards signed by all the step-children and gradually the wider family will treat you that way.
- Don't assume other people will know what to do - tell them. It is likely to still be an unfamilar situation for many people.
- Be realistic - don't attempt to spend Christmas Day with your or a partner's ex to please the children - it rarely works and the children will sense it.
Tuesday, 7 October 2014
Blended Family Christmases
With divorce and remarriage families are now likely to include step-parents and step-children and half-siblings - resulting in the potential minefield of who sees who and when at Christmas. There are no solutions that fit all families, you'll need to find what works for your circumstances but here are some things to consider.
