Are you considering a shared family vacation this summer?

With the cost of just about everything connected with travel going up, many families are rethinking their summer vacation plans. Some divorced co-parents who would normally take separate vacations with their children might be considering taking one shared family vacation this summer to save money.

Shared family vacations after divorce have become easier now that it’s possible to rent an entire home on a site like Airbnb or VRBO. A large enough place can give everyone their own bedroom and bathroom and enough shared spaces that ex-spouses aren’t constantly bumping into each other. Some co-parents even include new spouses and children or other close family members in the mix.

Certainly, a shared family vacation isn’t for everyone – or even for most divorced couples. However, if you and your co-parent have an amicable or even friendly relationship or a happily blended family, it may be worth considering.

Establishing some rules is key

A family vacation – even if it’s a short getaway to the vacation home you continue to share in the Hill Country – benefits from some ground rules (which you may prefer to think of as points of agreement). This can help prevent misunderstandings and conflict that can ruin the trip for everyone. 

Among the things it’s smart to discuss and document after you agree on a destination include:

• How expenses will be split
• Assignment of bedrooms and other sleeping areas 
• How childcare responsibilities for younger children will be divided
• Whose rules (or what special rules) will apply if the two of you have different ones in your homes
• What activities you want to include – either together or separately with your children
• How the trip will fit into your summer parenting time schedule

If the shared vacation works out, you might even want to codify some of these agreed-upon points to use for future trips. If you have questions or concerns as you consider a shared vacation, having trusted legal guidance can help you ensure that it’s a vacation everyone will remember fondly.