Contact patterns for exH and DS - how do you do it?

[Broadcalm]

ExH only lives a mile away so currently its a bit all over the place but sees him 3 nights a week which is overnight. DS is basically back and fore everyday which is not great for him and split weekend. I feel he needs less back and fore, and weekend on weekend off. I suspect ex will not agree simply as he disagrees with everything I say!

Looking for ideas on an every other weekend contact plan, how does the week look like? Weekends from Friday after school to Sunday early eve?

Bump anyone....

How old s DS? My two stopped the to and fro at around 16. Their choice. They just couldn't be arsed with all the different school books and stuff needed to be hefted around and their friends and social life being disrupted. . Instead they went for dinner or popped over now and again - it was very fluid. XH was hurt at first but no one really enjoys living in two homes. Do they?

Morning OP, my exH and I do every other weekend which is from Saturday morning until Monday morning - he drops DS to school and I do pick up. Then he has him one night in the week - Monday one week and Thursday the next. If DS has just had a weekend at his Dad's, it'll be Thursday night and when it's been my weekend, he'll go to his Dad's on the Monday night. It helps to space it out a bit so DS isn't going back and forth, like you mentioned. Hope that makes sense!

We have DS7 - should've said that. I suppose it would also depend on the age of your DC.

What about something like:

Week One: Ex has him Tu, Wed, Thu - you get him for the weekend

Week Two: Ex has him Wed and the weekend.

(basing these on your current pattern of 4:3 split)

Perhaps with a view to amending during school holidays, to enable you both a chance for holidays/day trips etc

Go in with this as a starting point and see what he comes back with.

It gives you both chance to have quality time with your son, while also making sure your ex gets some of the daily grind. It also provides consistency for your son, so he knows where he'll be from one day to the next.

Thank you. DS is 8

When my stepkids were that sort of age, DH had them EOW (Friday school pickup to Monday school dropoff) plus one weeknight (Weds pickup to Thurs dropoff). I think if the NRP can do Friday pickup to Monday dropoff it works well and takes pressure off Sundays.

Do be aware that secondary school allocation is based on who has him the most school nights so consider that and the schools nearby when making longer term plans.