Fathers' Day and Child Contact

Fathers’ Day began in America, first celebrated in 1908 in West Virginia and then in 1910 in Spokane, Washington, where Mrs Smart Dodd wanted to honour her father, a civil war veteran who brought up six children after the death of his wife. As his birthday was in June, that month was chosen for Fathers’ Day. However, it wasn’t officially recognised until 1966 when President Lyndon Johnson signed a proclamation declaring the third Sunday of June as Fathers’ Day.

The tradition spread to Britain and Sunday 15 June this year will see children giving fathers cards and gifts. But for children of divorced or separated parents, that’s not always straightforward. What if Fathers’ Day falls on “Mum’s weekend” and the children want to spend time with Dad, as their friends and classmates are doing?

Children hate feeling singled out or excluded because they’re not doing what their friends are doing. Wouldn’t it be a good idea to swap a weekend or be flexible about contact times so that Dad can have the children on Fathers’ Day? It is far preferable for all concerned if the parents can come to an amicable agreement, saving time, money and stress.

In cases where contact can’t be agreed, you will need to take advice from a solicitor and start a process which can take time to resolve. If contact isn’t agreed via solicitor correspondence, then the issue will go to Court. In this case, the Court will set a date for both parties to attend, to decide how to proceed. Quite often in such cases, a CAFCASS officer is brought in, who will speak to the parents and sometimes children and make a recommendation to the Court. This report can take up to three months, and once received another attendance at Court is required in order to see if the matter can be resolved. If not, then ultimately it is for a Judge to decide on how contact with the child or children should take place.

The most important thing to consider, as always when it comes to contact, is the child. Their best interests should at all times be at the front of everyone’s minds.

If you’d like to discuss child contact, or a similar issue, please contact James Haworth on 0116 212 1080.