Good morning everyone! I've been a bit MIA these last few weeks what with staying with friends and getting the Xman ready for traveling back to the island.

And what a week it's been..... It's only Wednesday i know!! However after our adventures yesterday it feels like Friday!!

We had a lot to sort out for the Xman and had some last shopping to fit in to buy shoes and clothes for the boy that keeps growing. The next challenge was pack his bags in such a way so they met with the 20 kg per bag airline requirements.

I furnished him with all the documentation i could think of. Unabridged birth certificate, passport, ID card, residence permit for Mauritius, copies of my passport and ID as well as hubby's, he's even had his student card and buscard with him as we reached the check-in counter last night. Low and behold..... As he's 5 weeks shy of being 18 he needed a letter of consent from mom to fly to dad to Mauritius where we live as as a family as it clearly states on our residency permit...... Nope.... Not what they want. I need to give a letter of consent and not only that. It needed to be certified.

Well, my stress levels just went haywire as you can imagine!!!!!! I'm at the airport last night, it's been a long drive, a long day and a lot of stress to get to this point and now they tell me he needs a letter of consent to fly to his dad... OMW!!!! I nearly threw a tantrum of note. 😂 Wasn't funny last night I can tell you this.

I booked his ticket myself and searched the web carefully to make sure no additional documents were needed for the Xman to fly alone. Knowing full well if he flies out alone with either parent, said parent needs a stack of forms all certified to give consent that your child may travel with the other parent. No such info was available for a young adult flying alone. Hence me assuming all documents I gave him would suffice.

Well... It doesn't. If your child is flying on a South African passport be aware that if they are traveling alone between parents they still need a certified letter of consent as well as copies of both parents passports. What a story Rory!

My frustration was rife I can tell you this. Government changes these rules so often and nobody updates the info for us plebs to find it easily and with no fuss.

What I did learn last night is that there is a police station at Cape Town International Airport. A police station with the kindest stafff whom immediately helped me out with a certified afadavit and even made copies of my ID on their printer, no charge and certified that too. All calm and efficient and quickly. I was in and out in 10 minutes. Back at the check-in desk the papers were carefully scrutinized before the Xman was finally handed his boarding pass. Phew. Only AFTER seeing him go through the gates and him letting me know he was sitting at his boarding gate safely i could relax and tackle the journey back to my friend's house where I'm staying for a few days.

After last night shenanigans i can only say one thing.... The X-man is 18 on 5 more weeks.... 😂 Then I'm done with documentation for minors for the rest of my life! I've never wished for my kids to grow up quicker but I was sure wishing he was 18 already last night.. 😂

Today I'm taking the day off for sure! 😂

Happy to say the X-man safely reached the island and dad fetched him in time and dropped him home. I got a super hyped whatsapp from my boy, clearly excited about being back home and on his way to have a nap in his own bed for the first time in 2 months.. 😂 I almost envy the child. How i miss my bed. But my time to return is coming soon so I'll just wait it out.

Wishing you a beautiful day! For those in Mauritius be safe on the roads. Hubby and my son shared some foorage of the hectic rains. ❤️

All photos are my own
www.karolien-thereslifeafterkids.com

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