In this Dad Diary, I share reflections on parenting across borders through the lens of separation — from navigating international legal systems and staying centred on your child, to balancing discipline at home and across distance. I explore how to stay present and connected when you can’t always be there, using real experiences from holidays, daily routines, and quiet FaceTime moments that hold more meaning than words.
In this episode, I open up about the emotional and practical realities of long-distance fatherhood and co-parenting after separation. I share lessons from Halloween traditions and holiday rituals, the challenges of discipline with a sensitive three-year-old, and how those lessons carry over into parenting my twelve-year-old who lives overseas. With insight from a top UK family lawyer on the Hague Convention and advice from psychologists Sean Larsen and Todd Kettner, I explore how to focus on your child’s wellbeing, manage emotions, and nurture connection across borders.
What you’ll hear in this episode:
Understanding the Hague Convention and international parenting rights
How to keep your child at the centre during legal or co-parenting conflict
Simple rituals and creative ways to stay connected through holidays
Balancing firmness and sensitivity in discipline near and far
The value of quiet presence and emotional steadiness with older kids