Traveling with Your children After Divorce- The Do’s and Don’ts

1. Schedule travel dates well in advance.

2. Get written permission from the other parent- you don’t want to be stopped at a border crossing or trying to board a plane.

3. When traveling oversees, get a passport or ensure that the passport you have is current.

4. Organize and/or schedule telephone calls with the “other” parent; between you and she/he and between your child/ren and she/he.

5. Bring along your child’s favorite things (as an example, in the case of a young child bring their favorite blanket).

6. Don’t make your child uncomfortable about contacting the other parent while you are on the trip. 

7. Don’t let your trip become a forum for complaints about the other parent.

8. Act the way you acted before the divorce/separation. Consistency is comforting.

9. Do not overindulge your child out of guilt or any other motivation.

10.  All of this is easier said than done. We are all works in progress. Try your very BEST but don’t punish yourself for feeling, and even acting, on your guilt or anger. Tomorrow is another day.