Every summer (for the last 8 yrs) my ex & I argue over the summer holidays. We both manage to agree on when we can each take away our DS (19) & DD (16) away but the argument is over when I am allowed to go away with my new DP (without children). I asked ex before Christmas if he is ok with me booking a week away at the end of July and he tells me that he doesn't know yet if he will be in the country or not to look after the kids and therefore I can't book yet. (He hasn't been abroad without them in the last 8 years and is single). He won't make any decision till around May, whereas I need to book my time off work (& DP does too) and we would prefer to book a holiday in the sales or on an offer.
I've told him that my parents are around and the kids can stay there but he just says that it isn't ok and I can't book without his consent. Surely at their ages they are really ok - and DS is at uni and living alone in term time! Obviously it is desirable to have a parent in the country but it is highly likely he will be here, as well as grandparents.
Do I need his consent to take a holiday without my children? The issue to him is that he would therefore then have them ( we have 50/50 custody) and he won't know until May if he can do this.
I feel that we are divorced and it isn't up to him whether or not I go away whenever I want, as long as I make sure the children (young adults) have somewhere/someone responsible on hand.
How do others handle these situations?