Many aspects of family life change after divorce. One such change involves family vacations. Traditions regarding summer road trips and weekend getaways may be difficult to recapture once divorced. Children may expect these traditions to continue despite the change in circumstances. While it can be difficult, there are ways to make summer vacations fun even if split from an ex-spouse.
Perhaps most important is to look forward to the future and create new traditions. Instead of comparing current vacations to past ones look to create new memories involving new locations and experiences.
Certain divorced families can even make trips together, although it has to be the right situation in which everyone is safe and comfortable.
Divorced parents can also have better vacation experiences by planning ahead. Setting aside the time and planning for expenses can make a vacation much less stressful. Understand that Father’s Day should be spent with Dad and Mother’s Day with Mom. Special occasions like birthdays and the Fourth of July must also be taken into account.
It is also important to stick with the parenting plan and make sure to communicate with the other parent regarding changes in scheduling. It can also ease an ex’s worries to provide an itinerary of the vacation so that the parent knows where the children will be and how to contact them in case of an emergency.
Finally, allow children to be excited about all vacations, even those spent with the other parent.
People considering divorce should contact an experienced divorce lawyer to discuss their legal options moving forward.
Source: The Huffington Post, “Family vacations after divorce can be rewarding despite the challenges,” Rosalind Sedacca, July 2, 2013
