AIBU to want to show my kids the world?

[Fluff1978]

Divorced 5 years ago. I have three kids. Recently sold my business so have free time (so grateful) and cash to spend. I want to give my kids and adventure that they will remember all their life.

Am I being unreasonable to want to take my kids (they will be 16, 12 and 10) away travelling round North Australia, New Zealand, and some of South East Asia for 6 weeks of the summer holidays next year? Older two are in private school so get nine weeks off. We’d be away 6 of those.

Ex husband has said absolutely not-that six weeks is too long for them to be away from him and that, that he absolutely won’t allow it, and that I’m being selfish.

AIBU? Need a sense check before I decide whether to pursue it legally

Fargo, it’s not a waste of money. And she can afford it from what she’s said. Many people do two holidays in a year, is that a waste of money rather than one big one? We all spend money to facilitate our particular circumstances. She has circumstances she needs to facilitate.

No, she went to a summer camp. But neither of her parents with her. She didn’t know any of the adults when she got there.

MariaNovella, but not for six weeks.

Any reason why you sent your 7 year old off to a different country with strangers, for three weeks?

Would it be possible to say do 3 weeks next year and three weeks the following year? I wouldn't want to be separated from my kids for that long either though is an amazing opportunity for them.

We went to Australia last summer for 3 weeks and you can still fit a fair bit in and some parts of Australia the summer isn't a good time to go. We did Sydney / Blue Mountains, Port Stephens for whales and dolphins and Atherton Tablelands / Great Barrier Reef / Daintree - saw loads of wildlife tree kangaroos, koalas, dolphins, whales, pademelon, bettong, cassowary etc in the wild. Australia or Australia plus NZ could work as onetrip and SE Asia the other. Weather will be rubbish in NZ that time of year and personally would skip.

Like I said, she went for four weeks at 8. One of our other DC went to Australia alone for 7 weeks at 15.

Reason? To have FUN and a culturally immersive experience.

Sorry but I think sending an 8 year old alone to a foreign country for a month is pretty odd if I'm honest.

I would be absolutely distraught to be without my ten year old for 6 weeks. How would you feel if the roles were reversed OP? Honestly?

Agree with PP, it's a shit time of year to take DC to that part of the world and it's too long. I would suggest a European tour for two weeks, home to see Dad and their friends, and then another two weeks at end of holidays.

I can see you mean well but other plans could be better.

I'd let my DS go if he had the opportunity.

Maybe offer some "compensation" to your exH, say over Christmas or Easter.

In terms of jet lag, you might as well do as much as possible on the other side of the world in one go. And with the long flights, it's crazy to do it in two legs over one Summer. I wouldn't want to do it in two separate years either.

@Karigan195 That's only true if OP has a Child Arrangements Order confirming the kids live with her/Residence Order.

If no Order, she needs Dad's consent.