Family Law Services by FwdLaw
Is Santa going to bring you a divorce this Year?
Relationship breakdown in your Christmas stocking?
Why do a lot of family breakdowns occur over the Christmas period? Because holidays are one of the few times that families are actually together.
Problems and difficulties which, in any relationship, may have been put to one side in ordinary life simply because you don’t speak to each other can rise to the surface and explode into arguments. Petty annoyances can become major ones and develop overnight to huge proportions - relationships split up .
And to make it worse Christmas comes with a price tag which you may be worried about, you’ve exhausted yourself with Christmas shopping and you’re worn out with the office parties, trying to get things finished in work and of course cooking and preparing for the Big Day!
So what can be done to avoid this?
- Make sure that you rest properly - it is important to get some early nights in the run up to Christmas.
- Take a deep breath before you snap back and consider that everyone, at this time of year, could be stressed
- Try to talk through the problems and don’t go to bed on argument
- Consider other people - if you have children then keep arguments between yourselves and think for a time about what is really important.
- Try to understand the other persons viewpoint even if you don’t agree with it
- Communicate your needs
- Try to take some exercise – go for a walk or jog; get some fresh air. Physical activity releases muscle tension, improves circulation and reduces blood pressure.
- Watch your diet - Difficult at this time of year but Caffeine for example aggravates the stress reaction. Remember it is in many drinks including some common headache remedies!. Eating plenty of fruit, vegetables, whole grains and foods high in protein but low in fat will help to optimize your health. So turkey and the brussell sprouts are good gravy and stuffing bad!!
- Drink plenty of water and avoid refined foods and excessive alcohol.
And if none of this works for you?
Obtain outside help to see if the problems can be worked out.
- Try family counselling – contact Relate or a similar organisation.
- Get information about the alternatives, seek professional advice and help – if you look for a solicitor look for someone on the advanced family panel of the law society.
Concentrate on the positives not dwell on the negatives and communicate
If the split is inevitable then try to let mediation work to resolve problems rather than building up large legal bills – your solicitor should advise you with regard to this and whether it is appropriate or not and remember that if you have children then you and your partner will have a relationship for the rest of your childrens’ lives!
Fwdlaw solicitors are based in Newport, South Wales on Stow Hill in the shadow of St Woolos Cathedral.
They offer family law services and mediation.
Cheryl Headford – Head of Family Law is a trained mediator and a member of the Law Society Advanced Panel.
