Navigating through Christmas

Chief Commissioner, Carl Davidson, joined TVNZ’s Good Morning Parents Panel, along with Vanessa Rushton and in-house expert, Darryl Gardiner, to talk about strategies for separated parents during the festive season. Here are Darryl’s top tips:

1. Parents need to act like big people. This is the time to put the children’s needs and feelings first.

2. Planning well ahead helps ensure everyone is in agreement.

3. Communicate plans to the children, so they feel secure about the arrangements.

4. If your family or whānau is struggling to find an approach that works, seek support and advice. Relationship Services, Barnardos and the Ministry of Justice all have useful resources.

5. Remember, it isn’t just about the 25th of December. Special celebrations can be held on other days – and be just as much fun.