Should I permit to my ex- wife to go to Canada ?

Question

We are formally divorced since April,2006.
The written agreement which has value of Court's decision , she does not respect.
Problem is that she does not like to enable contact between me and our children. Sometimes objective reasons are stronger, but
personally I want to spend time and to build relationship with kids.
Now I was told that she needs my permission how she could take them to Canada - I do not want to speculate about details- for how long...and we are living on the ex Yugoslavia area
Why exists such condition?
Should I take a clear position for negotiations?
kids are about 4 and 5 years old

Answer 1

Well i guess since we don't know all of the details then i am going to have to give sort of vague answers. I would tell her that under one condition, well two, you will let her. First off is, that you get to see your kids before they go, and if gone longer then expected then if you can get her for kidnapping. If you have to give consent for her to take them, then you can put your foot down for how long, and not any longer. You are their dad, and you do have a right.

Answer 2

This is a very tough question.

The divorce is very recent and you want a better relationship with your children. But in truth you really need a better relationship with your ex-wife. I don't mean get back together or anything, but just try to be civil and respecting of each other. In order to have 2 kids you must've gotten along together once.

Right now you have something she wants, use it to open up talks. Do you fight over child support? If so do your best to help support the kids, let her see you doing your best. Is she still angry with you about things that happened in the marriage? Apologize and say that maybe you weren't the best of husbands but now that part of your life is over and you would like to try being friends.

Ask her about what life will be like in Canada and listen to her. Ask her about phone contact with the children. Tell her that you don't want to lose the children, and that because she is preventing contact now that you think she will prevent it in Canada too.

Good luck

Answer 3

The parental permission regulations are in place to prevent international child custody issues - one parent "kidnapping" the children, i.e., removing them to another country.

If you feel your wife will take your children to Canada and never return, you should not sign the papers. If that is not an issue, and you are wondering if you should essentially hold your children's foreign travel hostage as leverage for negotiations, that is a matter for your own conscience.