Splitting up - would you tell the kids before or after Christmas?

[Memor]

Sadly DH and I are splitting up - it is mutual and amicable. We have two DC (early teens). For various reasons we can't tell them in the next couple of weeks, so are now looking at either early Dec or early Jan, after Christmas - which would you choose, and why?

We will be spending Christmas together regardless, no-one will be moving out immediately, and we already sleep separately for context. There is a plan in place for finances, housing etc, and no other parties involved.

I was 12 when my parents separated, well my dad left. They didn’t tell me for 6 months, because my dad wouldn’t do it and my mum (rightly) thought he should explain. He often worked away so it was plausible why he wasn’t there, all v different to your situation. But I thought relevant to say I am sure my mum tried hard to hide it from me but I knew for months something was wrong with my mum. She was so sad and upset all the time, and I at times assumed it was my fault. Children/young people are prone to this in general so I think telling them sooner and make sure they know that it’s not their fault is important.