Planning for Parenting Time: Ohio's Guide for Parents Living Apart

Long-Distance Parenting and Relocation
INTERNATIONAL PARENTING TIME & BORDER TRAVEL
International parenting time and travel have unique challenges. Children
may leave the country without restriction, but cannot return without
proof of citizenship. Passports and visas are required. The primary
residential parent should safeguard these documents and make them
easily available to the other parent at the scheduled times and places of
exchange. Likewise, the documents should be returned promptly at the
conclusion of parenting time. The non-residential parent should keep
copies of important travel documents. For the latest requirements, review
the Crossing Borders section of the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security found on its Web page at
1Hhttp://www.dhs.gov/crossing-us-borders/. For long-term planning,
review the information from the Office of Children’s Issues, U.S.
Department of State, found on its Web page at
2Hhttp://travel.state.gov/abduction/about/about_605.html.
MILESTONES & CHILD DEVELOPMENT
The parent who is away from the children for a significant length of time
may be out of the loop on the children’s general welfare. It is important
for each parent exercising parenting time with the children to keep the
other informed about school progress, awards, special recognition, report
cards, sports performance, physical and emotional health concerns,
extracurricular activities and other important milestones and
developments in the child’s life. Likewise, the child should know the
significant, age-appropriate events in each parent’s life during his or her
absence. All are equally important. Traveling or shared journals are a
useful tool for such purposes.
TIME LOSS FOR TRAVEL
In a long-distance parenting schedule, anticipate the loss of time with
children by both parents because of travel over great distances. Building
parenting time into travel may be a possible solution. Travel time
activities can be a chance for parents and children to transition and
enhance their relationship. Thus, when possible, the receiving parent
should be the accompanying travel parent.
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