Global News: From Survival to Revival - Featuring Alyssa Bach, Shulman & Partners

Alyssa Bach, Associate Lawyer at Shulman & Partners LLP, joined Global News Radio to discuss a holiday-season issue many separated parents are facing during the pandemic. With children moving between two households and public health rules limiting gatherings, even familiar holiday parenting schedules can become contentious. In the interview, Alyssa explains why courts tend to default to government directives, why parents should try to resolve conflicts through practical, good-faith communication before resorting to litigation, and how social media posts can quickly become “evidence” in a co-parenting dispute.

“Courts have been pretty adamant throughout the pandemic that the government regulations are to be followed.”
- Alyssa Bach, Associate Lawyer, Shulman & Partners LLP

Speaking with Global News, Alyssa explains that conflict over holiday parenting time is common even in normal years, because parents and children are used to celebrating certain days together and separation often requires sharing or giving up time. During the pandemic, she says those familiar tensions are now paired with a new layer of complexity: concerns about whether holiday plans are safe, especially when children move between two households.

Alyssa notes that many families have already figured out how to handle their regular parenting schedules during the pandemic, and the general expectation has been that existing schedules continue. The holidays, however, can change behaviour. Parents often want to add extended family visits, special gatherings, or travel, and that creates more opportunities for disagreement. She emphasizes that co-parents need to talk through their plans in advance and assess what public health rules allow in their area. The goal is to avoid creating unnecessary exposure for either household while still preserving meaningful holiday time for the children.

She also addresses a difficult reality: not every separated couple communicates well, and not every parent approaches public health guidance the same way. In her view, openly choosing not to follow government protocols can create serious consequences if a dispute ends up in court. She explains that courts have relied on government regulations as a reference point throughout the pandemic, and she cautions that seeking a judge’s decision can backfire if a parent is asking for arrangements that disregard those rules. She also points out that going to court can be costly and time-consuming, especially when courts are already overwhelmed.

Alyssa encourages parents to keep the focus on the children and to approach holiday negotiations in good faith, looking for workable compromises. She suggests identifying the real concern behind the disagreement, such as exposure to extended family or vulnerability within a household, and agreeing on precautions where possible. She also flags social media as a source of additional conflict, warning that posts criticizing restrictions or admitting non-compliance can become “ammo” in parenting disputes. Her bottom line is that clear communication, advance planning, and aligning expectations around safety can help parents protect both the holiday experience and the co-parenting relationship.

Listen to the full Global News Radio segment here.

This media appearance is part of Shulman & Partners LLP’s ongoing contributions to Canadian family law discussions. Explore more of our media features in our In the Media  archive.