The other possible solutions:
1. Mum changes her surname to match yours.
2. You changed yours and your kids' to match hers.
3. Passport control stop behaving like idiots. Do you get this at more than one point of entry, or is it just one port/airport?
( shinyshinyscalp less a man, more a way of life, Thu 1 Mar 2012, 13:07, 1 reply)

It has happened
at every London airport.

1&2 - shouldn't have to do this, plus does not resolve the issue that the Immigration Officers *claim* to be tackling.

In fact, we've decided to follow my sister's example and have applied for dual nationality for the kids. Their new passports will have their parents' details in them.
( wakeupandsmellthebacon, Thu 1 Mar 2012, 13:28, closed)

We've been stopped at a number of international airports
in Canada and the US because my stepson's surname is different to mine and we might have abducted the five foot five rugby playing teenager and brought him along with our seven year old! Mrs no.5 being a well versed lawyer dealing amongst other things with prevention of international travel for children during nasty custody disputes et al has to bite her lip not to tell them how much twaddle they speak as to what constitutes valid permission/requirements etc. She says it is best to nod politely take along the aforementioned 'easy to forge but for god's sake don't forge it' letter from (in this case) his father and act dumb.
( number5 has been fighting tramps and losing., Thu 1 Mar 2012, 14:20, closed)