After a divorce in British Columbia, the last thing you may want to do is spend time with your ex. However, some experts believe that going on a vacation together, after the split, is one of the best things that you can do.
The key to this is that it’s not necessarily best for you. It may be stressful, and you may struggle with it. But it can be great for your children. Remember that the court always looks at your children’s best interests, and you should, too.
Most of all, this trip shows them where they stand. They know that both parents love them and want to spend time with them. If they’re old enough to understand how hard this might be for you, it just shows them your commitment to an even greater degree. You are literally doing something that may be last on your list of desires, and you’re doing it all for them, in an effort to put them first. This speaks volumes.
This can also be a good idea when considering your parenting plan. Deciding what to do about vacations is one of the most difficult things you have to deal with as a co-parent. You may both end up wanting the same weeks or months for trips. When you plan that trip together, you eliminate the need to plan things out separately, and it can actually reduce your stress levels.
If you’re making a parenting plan now, whether or not you want a vacation to be part of it, be sure you know what legal rights and obligations you have going forward.
Source: Huffington Post Canada, “Why You Should Go on a Beach Vacation With Your Ex,” Anna Giannone, June 30, 2015