Summer is just around the corner, and for many families in Illinois, this means vacation time is close at hand. However, if you have recently been divorced, you may be nervous about planning your first trip as a single parent.
If you are in this boat, don’t despair. Many other parents have traveled down this road before you, and you can learn from their experiences. Consider the following tips:
- Schedule in advance: Scheduling a vacation is always tricky, but it is even more so when you are trying to navigate around a new parenting plan. Talk with your ex-spouse to make sure you are both on the same page about your kids’ schedules. You don’t want to accidentally put your children in the difficult position of having to choose one parent’s plans over the other’s.
- Stick to a budget: Divorce is expensive, and you are probably still adjusting to living in a one-income household. However, just because money is tight doesn’t mean you can’t have a great trip. Plan things out ahead of time so you know how much money you’ll have to spend, and stick to that budget while you are on vacation.
- Keep it stress-free: For however hard the divorce was for you, remember that it was much more stressful for your kids. Vacation should be a time where they get to relax and have fun. Try to stay away from places or activities that are going to trigger old resentments, and instead start a new family tradition.
- Do something for yourself: If you can afford it, consider doing something nice for yourself – like a spa day or a round of golf – while your kids are doing their activities. You’ll feel more refreshed. After all, it’s your vacation too!
These are just a few of the tips you can use to have a good summer vacation in the wake of a divorce. If you focus on keeping things simple and fun, you can be sure your family will have a good time.
Source: The Huffington Post, “Tips For Divorced Parents To Have A Stress-Free Summer Vacation,” Michelle Rosen, April 19, 2013
Our law firm represents people seeking divorce in Illinois. For more information, please visit our website.
