Prefers dad's house.

[Hotfuninthesummertime]

5 year old. Goes to dads every Monday and Tuesday night and about 1 weekend in 5 or 6. When I get him back after school on Wednesday we always have tears at bedtime. He wants his dad. I explain he's working and he'll see him soon and he settles. I suppose there's not much I can do but it's hard.

That must be upsetting. Has he given any particular reason for why he prefers it? Is it just that he misses his dad?
Maybe there is something else, like he is getting ice cream or some other thing he's not allowed normally. It might just be he missed his dad.

Is there a reason he doesn't get so many weekends with his dad? Maybe more quality time with him would help.

His dad uses work as an excuse to do less weekends and I can't be bothered arguing about it again. He's allowed to eat rubbish and watch the TV all day at dads so that's an issue.

Well you know the reason then, and also if he isn't getting much time then of course he misses him. I severely doubt it means he prefers it. Its hard to explain your feelings at that age.

My 5 year old is exactly the same and he goes every other weekend so I don't think going more frequently would make any difference. They like going because they usually have no rules/boundaries and can do what they like whereas home is much more regulated and much less 'fun' (read - mummy doesn't let me play videogames all the time). I think it's just a grin and bear it scenario tbh but I feel your pain

It's hard when you're the one doing most of the work isn't it.

It's every Wednesday aswell. I pick him up and he tells me about his time with his dad then it's tears at bedtime.

This happened to my DC. It was usually because at dad's they went to bed v late & the next night at mine they were v tired & emotional. I asked dad to get them to bed earlier, which helped. It improved once they got older.

Hang on in there. Kids know who puts in the hard work eventually. I really feel you.

His dad wouldn't listen about putting his to bed earlier or any advice or request about parenting.