AIBU to expect contact with my children while they are away camping?

You need to tell your ex's partner that you're blocked, so she knows why you don't contact ex about the kids.
And you should tell your ex that he's a crap Dad for not feeling he needs to know if there's an emergency with the kids.

Is this all court ordered cos if so he need to have a way to communicate surely even if not court ordered there should be a way to communicate

parenting app and block him on your own phone. Everything child related there nowt else.

Yes I understand the anger but time to get on in life it’s been 3 years.

I would just move all communications via a parenting app and refuse anything else tbh.

It is ridiculous, I feel for you having to deal with such an immature man.

He sounds vile, controlling and wholly unreasonable to dictate about your daughter not having a phone when he’s deliberately obstructing contact when your children are with him.

A quick search tells me that a method of contact between separated parents can be legally mandated through a Child Arrangements Order. I would go down that route if I were in your position, OP, it’s not acceptable for you to have no means of getting in touch in an emergency.

if your children do not have a phone then why not get a cheap pay as you go phone give to your ex ask him to get the kids to give you a call once a week or so.
do not rise to the ex partner's stupid remarks

Could you give your kids a kids smartwatch? One of those ones that can’t access the internet and only take calls from pre-approved numbers, but have GPS

I wouldn’t ordinarily suggest it, but if your ex has you blocked, some way for the children to contact you is necessary

however I wouldn’t actually call during holidays with their dad, just be ready to take a call in case they actively want to call you

On the (very) rare occasions, I think it happened 3 times, my ex took our child away for a few days i did not expect contact from them. I wanted them to enjoy the time. Likewise if they went to stay with my mum, the only phone calls were to confirm what time they were coming back to me. I missed them but used the time to rest, do things i needed to get on with and to work

I am also wondering how you contact him in an emergency such as child in hospital and very ill?

Or even child has broken leg, not urgent but probably shouldn't wait to tell him.

A house fire could be one example, I agree with you.

You could always send her an old-fashioned letter!

If he won’t unblock you at least whilst your children are with him, then he doesn’t have them - that’s the line I’d take.

There needs to be open contact in case there is an emergency.

I think you should leave them in peace to enjoy their holiday. You want to talk them for your sake not theirs.

Sorry to be thick, I’m childfree, but how do you arrange kid stuff if you can’t contact him? It sounds immature on his part, it’s been 3 years.

It doesn't sound like you're happy and moved on, tbf. I don't blame you for still feeling a certain way after what happened, but if you can try to move on and rise abive it (her), you'll have a much more peaceful life!

What a strange message to leave you. I presume because you say your children can contact you that means your children can be contacted by you, ie, you can send them a message?
Anyway, other than that just ignore. You've clearly moved on in a healthy way, your ex and the lady have not. Can't change what other people want to say about you but you're in control of how you react. Just don't let it get to you! A reaction is what they are after.

Why do you allow this! Block him!!! He set the rules, you’re following them. I’d block him and tell him if he doesn’t like it he can unblock me.

Get one of those family organizer apps like 'Cozi'. DH and I use them even though we are still together so that we always know what we're doing, as my working patterns are erratic.

That way you don't need unblocking or to be in contact for any other reason than that of the children. Otherwise, only emergency contact is necessary. If he won't take a call you need an alternative number if possible.

His partner is not relevant to this at all. She should be left out of it.

It's shit, not being able to contact your children if you're worrying. Hopefully once the older one has a phone, it'll get a bit easier.

However, your ExH destroyed your family. If it hadn't been her, it'd have been someone else. Blame him.

This might be why you are still blocked.

I don't mean it unkindly but if you can get so wound up overhearing a comment from her, if you did end up acting on it and texting again whilst angry you could find yourself blocked for longer.

This would annoy me. Any kind of injustice like this plays on my mind, so I totally understand why its bothering you