Christmas is a special time – made even more magical when there are children in the family. It is wonderful to see them wake up on Christmas morning and peer into their stockings to see what Father Christmas has brought them.

It is difficult to accept that when you are separated from their other parent you may have to give up some of this time to allow them to spend time with the other parent.

My advice is to think about this early and try to get this agreed with the other parent to avoid any last minute arguments. Consider the fact that it is fair for their other parent to also spend some of this special time with the children and also that the children should have the opportunity of seeing them at Christmas.

An option is to see if you can put your differences aside and spend the day together with the children. This can sometimes work unless things are very difficult between you.

Otherwise look at alternating Christmas Day each year or if it is practical look at splitting the day so that they wake up with one of you to open the presents and then go to the other in time for lunch and then alternate this each year.

Remember that the children will want to remember Christmas as a time they spent with both parents even if it is separately.