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To not let children have Xmas lunch with grandparents when parents are divorcing

257 replies

Iris10000 · 22/12/2025 15:43

Just that really. We are getting divorced, which is DH decision. He needs more time to himself and for his job so in essence is asking to be a Saturday dad with one additional school pick up and drop off. He is very very close to his parents and wants to take kids (10 months and 4 years) to his parents for Xmas lunch for few hours. I will stay at home on my own. My relationship with his parents broken down after they barged into our house and said they always had a problem with me and what a bad person I am. I said he can go there for couple of hours but I would like to have lunch here with them. I am beyond angry and he doesn’t want any to change his plans.

OP posts:
Elektra1 · 22/12/2025 15:59

“Christmas is a Thursday” from multiple posters is a stupid response given that any family court judge will make a CAO which deals with termtime care and holiday care differently, with specific provision for sharing or alternating Christmases, birthdays, Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day. I would start as I meant to go on. So if the OP wants alternating Christmas, start with that (first one being hers). If she wants to split the day, then they need to agree who gets what.

My 6 year old spends Christmas Eve and Christmas Day morning with one of us, then from 1pm on Christmas Day goes to the other for lunch and spends the night and Boxing Day there too. We started that in the first year after the split and although it was all very raw then (I was left for OW), now it’s just what happens and everyone knows that’s the deal so there’s no argument about it.

Itsjusttoomuchtoday · 22/12/2025 15:59

TwoTuesday · 22/12/2025 15:58

You could alternate, you have this year and him next? Split Christmas days are rubbish, he is being selfish expecting to be able to parade the kids only at key moments.

Especially as they’re only little you could do Christmas day on the 24th and then give him the kids for all of the 25th.

TwoTuesday · 22/12/2025 15:58

You could alternate, you have this year and him next? Split Christmas days are rubbish, he is being selfish expecting to be able to parade the kids only at key moments.

ForMyNextTrickIWillMakeThisVodkaDisappear · 22/12/2025 15:54

As others have said, he wants to parent on Saturdays only and Christmas Day is a Thursday.

Longterm, things will get easier and the pain that he and his parents have caused you will not matter as much as time goes on. But I absolutely understand why you’re pissed off with him. What a fucking selfish, shite excuse for a father and husband.

blankcanvas3 · 22/12/2025 15:50

Fuck that, if he wants to have them just on Saturday’s he can have them just on Saturday’s. Christmas is a Thursday so it’s not his day!

MissHelenSweetstory · 22/12/2025 15:47

He wants them on a Thursday then? Say sorry, that's not his day!

Itsjusttoomuchtoday · 22/12/2025 15:46

I understand why you’re angry and it looks like he just wants to wheel them out for show. I think you need to towards the future. It’s either a shared Cnristmas day or alternating Christmas - which one would you prefer?

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