I am divorced due to my ex committing a crime that means he can only have supervised contact with our daughter. My daughter and I were not victims in this. I currently supervise all contact, which is very rare.
My daughter is 12 with some SEN, she has suspected ASC and maturity wise is around 10.
My ex lives 200 miles away with his dad. His mum lives near him. I imagine that she must be as upset by the actions of her son as I am.
His mum is in good health and goes on multiple holidays a year... I highlight this to show she has money and can travel.
Every school holiday she wants to see my daughter. She doesn't mention this to me directly but through my daughter.
In the past I have either gone to stay in ex's home town or driven half way and passed my daughter over to ex mil.
However, I simply cannot afford to stay this time, or the petrol really to go half way. Also my own parents are ill and I care for them.
I have said my mother in law can come up here and either stay with me or in a nearby hotel. She can then do what she likes with my daughter whilst here. She doesn't want this. She wants daughter to stay with her and me to drive half way.
My daughter does want to see her grandma... But would prefer her to come here. She says it's awkward on her own. She also doesn't see the point of travelling all that way and not seeing her dad (he's working throughout Christmas).
Everyone else I know who is divorced does not have this as they have an ex who can facilitate contact. Mine can't even do the travel. His mum would just ignore the no unsupervised contact rule but I'm not prepared to do that.
What would you do? I know I've left this late but I work full time with a child with additional needs and parents who to be frank I didn't think would see Christmas so made no plans as such.
I feel so guilty.