Christmas holiday Logistics

[clarkie78]

Is it just me or does anyone else dread this...

I'm divorced and dread the Christmas holiday logistics of trying to work out who'll have the kids when, making sure it's fair whilst trying to keep the rest of the family happy by seeing them (both sides) all whilst trying to keep the Christmas spirit alive

We keep it simple. Each year one parent has the first half of the school holidays, the other parent gets the second half. Swap each year who gets which half. It works v well as everyone can plan family get togethers well in advance.

Same here. I dropped the kids off to him last Christmas, this Christmas was supposed to be my whole day with them but he's decided to book it off work and ask what time he is seeing them.

This year, because it was my year, I've decided to have people over and have arranged the whole day. I have no way of getting them to his house, but if I don't he will be totally alone and not see anyone.

He forgot to book last year off so I ended up having to leave my other dc to take them over at his convenience.

I'll feel like a mug if I manage to find a way to get them there and a bitch if I don't.

Not just you, although I'm the adult child of divorced parents and live a 2 hour drive from both sets of my parents and my in laws (in the same direction though thankfully) and it has always been a faff. Throw in my siblings splitting from partners and getting all the grandkids at the same house at the same time and it's a bloody nightmare.
I loved last year not having to travel, was so much less stressful.

The first poster is right re keeping it simple - just divide the hols down the middle. Saves upset for the dc too

However it’s still stressful and no one should minimise the stress caused to separated/ divorced parents by Christmas

I have a friend - actually met through MN (long story) - who is my absolute guru for all things divorced parent wise!