To take my kids abroad on my own?

[DonutsAreNotLunch]

I would like to take my dc abroad in 2024 but I’ve only flown twice in my life and only been abroad (to Spain) once and that was 15 years ago before kids. My kids have never flown or been abroad, they will be 13,9,6. Is it an insane idea to take them abroad on my own? My ex refused to let us go abroad fir holidays because it was too expensive and he is scared of flying, but my kids would really like to go on a proper holiday, and I want them to experience going abroad and flying etc before they leave home.

Can anyone give me any tips on booking a holiday and how to get a good deal, or recommend good destinations etc. My kids would probably like a nice beach/ warm sea, water parks etc, I would also like somewhere we could have active days out walking/ sightseeing. I have no interest in night time entertainment or anything like that, just busy fun days. It would also need to be a fairly budget holiday 😬

I’ve never been on a package holiday! Should we go all inclusive? how easy will it be to get us to get the destination etc after the flight?
any advice and tips appreciated 😊

Is the ex still in their life? If so, is he likely to agree to them being taken abroad?

Spain! Can't beat it
2 hour flight, millions of hotels to choose from to fit your budget. And don't discount and night time entertainment- my kids love that bit best! Find somewhere near a beach with an amazing pool with slides and stuff and have fun.

Go for it, you and your kids will love it! I would suggest Spain. I did this with my kids and they loved it. I hired a car and we travelled all over but also incorporated places they would particularly like such as theme parks, e.g. Terra Mitica, Port Aventura but they also enjoyed out of the way small towns, villages...just made sure there was a pool.

We booked an all inclusive to Turkey last year, transfer to the hotel included, through easy jet. Was the easiest holiday I've ever done! Canaries are a good destination, lots of water parks and day trips. Lanzarote had an island tour where you could see all the volcanoes and ride camels, boat trips around the island, pretty sure there was a submarine trip too.

Just be careful with the airports, you may need to get written permission from your ex to take them abroad unless you have a court order to say they live with you

Unless your DC13 is a complete tearaway, I'd say you'll be fine.

Your children are old enough to discuss where to go with. Spain's usually a good bet. Some of the Greek islands can be cheap.

A package holiday is the easiest and often more cost-effective. I've never felt the appeal of "all inclusive" because I like to get out of the resort some. If you're on a budget and don't object to cooking then a self-catering apartment can be good value; with a regular hotel room you pretty much have to eat out for every meal and that gets spendy.

Thanks for the replies, feel like I’m just getting carried away drinking gin and looking at holidays while my kids are with their dad do I might end up getting carried away and booking something 🤣

I think their dad would agree to them going abroad although he is the kind that would change his mind on a whim, do you really need to get permission to take them on a package holiday?! Who would check, the airport staff?

@EnthENd my 13 yo isn’t a tear away but asd and sometimes struggles to cope with new situations which might mean we have to sled a bit more time in the hotel room while she gets herself mentally prepared for the day. I knows she would love swimming in the warm sea etc so she would want to go even if she might find the change a bit difficult.

if he changes his mind on a whim he could scupper your plans, but it would take a total arse to ruin his own kids holiday like that but yes, you could be asked at the airport.

www.gov.uk/permission-take-child-abroad

yes he can put up a fuss and refuse permission. A solicitor can help if he does this

@LittlePinkPill thanks, I have a different name from my kids but was never married so no divorce certificate 🤷‍♀️ I guess I will have to look into whether it’s actually possible to take them abroad at all!

Assuming all is ok with the ex and everything just speaking of the actual holiday itself I would do it if they all got along

I would not want to spend the whole holiday separating deal with tantrums, complaining about food, 'I'm bored' alone

So I would go for it if you know your kids would allow it to be your holiday too

I was stopped going on a day trip to France with two in their early teens. We were still married and they asked DD if her dad knew where we were going. She replied "yes, we're going to buy him beer!"

Of course you can take them out of the country.

You're on their birth certificate - take them. Get a letter from their DF too.

I travel frequently with my DC and have only been asked once when returning back to the UK.

Of course you can take them. You do technically need both parents’ permission/permission from everyone with parental responsibility(this is nothing to do with being separated/divorced - it actually applies to everyone). If your ex agrees, it’s easy - I think you can even download a standard form from the government website and get him to sign it. Then you bring copies of your kids birth certificates in case you’re asked to prove your relationship to them. If your ex is likely to play stupid games you can get a court order - as long as it’s obvious you’ll be coming back then no judge is going to deny the request.

I have never been asked if I have my ex's permission to take my kids abroad and we have done loads of travelling. I thought you could take them for up to a month without permission anyway?