Christmas can be one of the hardest times to co-parent, especially when your ex thrives on control, conflict, or last-minute chaos. As a family lawyer, at this time of year I get asked the same questions every year, around various Christmas disputes separated parents face. From sudden plan changes and silence tactics to withheld handovers, gift battles, excessive FaceTiming, and emotional manipulation through the children.

Using real-life examples and years of court experience, this guide explains what the law actually expects at Christmas, how judges view “high-conflict” behaviour, and how to protect your children emotionally while staying calm, child-focused, and legally safe. You’ll learn what to do if your ex refuses contact, won’t confirm plans, uses Christmas as leverage, bad-mouths you to your child, or tries to control the narrative ...