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Ex won't help have kids while I work

85 replies

Jodiebrighton · 27/02/2022 23:06

I'm an office and working from home administrator with 2 young children. My ex and father of our children is getting a job on the plans as cabin crew. His rota will change monthly and he will be doing long haul flights ranging from 3 -5 days away, 5-6 times a month. We have 50/50 joint custody. He has said I will need to have the kids while he works away and when he comes back, he will have them. I won't get a choice of days and only be told what days I will have the kids around the 25th of each month for the coming month. Am I expected to agree to this and change my days with the kids every month while he works his dream job. The kids have to move between my home and his every 3-5 days and this will change every single month. There seems to be no compromise from his side and I have to live my life around his rota on a month by month basis. I feel like I'm doing all the compromise and if we were together or not, nothing would change for him in this new job. Doesn't seem fair my life revolves around his job rota and he sacrifices nothing. Am I able to ask for half the month fixed days and the other half from around days he needs covering from his rota? I feel like he shouldn't of taken the job he he can't supply child care without it controlling my life also.

OP posts:
gogohm · 28/02/2022 08:14

The airlines are much more accommodating than that. The people I know who are cabin crew (4 do not large sample admittedly) work set routes so know their pattern for the next month, obviously there's a occasional changes but mostly they work set days

Hapoydayz · 28/02/2022 08:06

And what if you decided to become cabin crew also so he had to facilitate your shifts which could clash or is the expectation that your life must revolve around his job only? Of course its unacceptable and you should go to court to have this amended. You would never be able to plan anything in your own life and it would be so disruptive to the children.

Quartz2208 · 28/02/2022 08:03

Yes you have to push back because this change should not affect you in this way

He either -takes the job and sources his own childcare for the time.

Or he loses 50/50 and pays CMS

Valhalla17 · 28/02/2022 08:02

You need full custody to be honest and then he sees them when he's here and it's convenient for the kids. Totally unsettling and stressful for you otherwise.

WTF475878237NC · 28/02/2022 08:00

Can you do mediation as it's cheaper?

helpwithchildarrangements.service.justice.gov.uk/professional-mediation

Mouldyfeet · 28/02/2022 07:57

Self represent and go back to court. It’s around £200 to put in the request I think.

Totally unmanageable for you and the kids.

Jodiebrighton · 28/02/2022 07:55

He says he will only be out the country 50% of the time max so he will be able to have the kids 50/50. But I will basically be supporting his dream job on an ever changing rota. I did this for 5 years when we were together and now after ending things with no discussion he fully expects me to live around his rota every month. He says the courts will say its best for the kids but I think it's perfect for his work lifestyle and horrible for mine and the kids. What if I can't afford court?

OP posts:
Campervangirl · 27/02/2022 23:12

Yep, back to court, this isn't sustainable or fair on the DC.
He can't maintain 50/50 in a job like that and it's not your job to facilitate his shared custody.

Ylvamoon · 27/02/2022 23:12

What would happen if you don't agree with his changes? Back to court? Will he need to arrange child care and pay for it?

TracyMosby · 27/02/2022 23:07

Go back to court. He is being a dickhead. He cannot possibly be 50/50 like this.

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