Should I let the children spend Mother’s Day with their mother?

When parents separate, a routine for the children is very important to help them feel settled and secure in their new environment. There will, however, be times when there is a need to change the arrangements, and it is important to have flexibility in your approach to co-parenting. 

Offering a mother the chance to spend Mother’s Day with the children, even though it is not her weekend with the children, it a great gesture and a positive step in demonstrating to the children what a healthy co-parenting relationship looks like. 

Here are some other tips to help you co-parent with more flexibility:

• Communicate. This is very important as it keeps the other parent up to date with what is happening in the children’s lives and of with any important dates or plans that may affect arrangements for them. 
• Plan in advance. Where possible, as much notice should be given to the other parent as possible so that adjustments can be made. Dates such as Mother’s Day or Father’s Day can be planned for well in advance to avoid the need for last minute changes. 
• Parenting Apps. These apps are specifically designed to enable parents to share information about every aspect of their children’s lives. Many have features such as shared calendars and you can easily keep a track of what has been agreed. 

It is important to remember that it is a child’s right to have a relationship with both their parents, provided it is safe and in their best interests. When agreeing arrangements, you should always keep in mind the impact and benefit the child will have from them. 

If you would like advice on any of the issues raised in this article, please contact Irrum Shah, Solicitor in our Family Law Department on 01295 204154, or by email at ishah@se-solicitors.co.uk