When the kids are out of school for the summer, it can be the ideal time to take a vacation. However, after a divorce, planning for a vacation often requires more steps. Here are three particular things you should do as you prepare for a vacation with your kids.
1. Let the other co-parent know as soon as possible
You should make sure your ex-spouse is aware of the vacation plans as soon as you begin planning. This is critical because:
- Generally, they must agree to the plans before moving forward
- Vacations usually mean adjusting the co-parenting and custody schedule
As co-parents, you rely heavily on your schedules. That is why you must communicate proactively about any changes to parenting time and schedules.
The vacation might be in the early planning stages, but it is important to keep your ex-spouse informed. It also helps to provide them with a rough itinerary of your vacation plans, so they remain in the loop of your children’s whereabouts and activities.
2. Maintain contact
If your children are old enough to have cell phones, they might already keep in contact with their other parent regularly on their own. However, it is still a good idea for you to occasionally check in with your co-parent during the vacation as well. This is especially important if anything unexpected occurs, such as a delayed or missed flight back to North Carolina.
3. Do not forget to have fun
This may seem synonymous with vacation. However, after a divorce, a family vacation may feel a little different for you and the kids.
It can even be a bit stressful to manage the vacation as a single parent, as we have discussed in a previous blog post. While planning and managing the vacation and activities might be stressful, you should make sure you purposefully enjoy the time with your kids and allow yourself to have fun. If vacations remain a source of conflict for your family you may want to consider speaking with a Raleigh family lawyer to discuss your options.