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Is there anything I can do re:ex husband and access arrangements

39 replies

ThatsNotEvenAWord · 27/11/2025 18:12

I was hoping somebody could help or at least sympathise. I’m so frustrated with the situation with my ex and our sons. We split up 2 years ago and are now divorced. He sees them on average 9 nights a month but we don’t have a routine in place for him to see the boys due to his job. From when we were married, I know that he has no shift patterns in place at all but has to do a lot of weekends and night shifts. He seemed to have his shifts a lot further in advance when we were together (6 weeks - 2 months in advance). Every month since we’ve had this arrangement, I’ve had to chase and beg him to let me know when he wants to have the boys the following month. As of today, 27th November, I don’t know when wants to have them beyond this weekend. He decides when he is going to have them based on his work pattern so he never has to arrange childcare; I have to use the school’s wraparound care which has to be booked a week in advance. I suppose I’m asking if anything can be done. I’ve tried repeatedly to ask if he can ask his employers to give him some sort of regularity or more warning about his shifts, he says there’s no way. I really don’t want to get to a point where I’m refusing him access to the boys as they have a good relationship with their dad. I don’t care how often he sees them – even if he only had them once a week on a fixed day it would be better than this. It’s making me so anxious as every month rolls around and I have to chase him for dates again. Is there anything legally I can do? I just feel like I’m living under his control even though we aren’t married anymore.

OP posts:
Firefly100 · 28/11/2025 08:51

I'd decide what notice period works for you - maybe 2 weeks notice? Whatever you need for childcare planning. Then inform him of this and reject any request to see them without that notice (maybe an exception if it would suit you too). It is not fair on your children. They may wish to see him but they should not be an afterthought arranged to minimise his lost earnings. That is not fair on them. Either he prioritizes them or (my guess) he actually stops seeing them with any regularity and blames you. So what! You are doing your children no favours teaching them they deserve no more than bottom of dad's priority list.

PumpkinTwistyWindToots · 28/11/2025 10:30

CombatBarbie · 27/11/2025 23:44

Hmm I think you may find it does. You are asking the company how far in advance it schedules.....not just for an individual.

The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act applies to requests made to UK public authorities, such as government departments, local councils, and the NHS. Not to any company.

drspouse · 28/11/2025 10:51

I would be inclined to tell HIM the dates he can have them and he can arrange his work rota to suit (i.e. not take overtime).
E.g. in the next fortnight you can see them Weds after school and first Sat and second Sunday.
If I don't hear from you within the next 48 hours with 4 alternative dates I assume this works for you.
If you say you can have them after school (or don't say you can't) I will not pay for after school care [he may not tell you in time so maybe then book them in but tell the club it's him paying and picking up].

If you have not suggested an alternative within 48 hours they will only be available on these dates.
I will propose two more weeks worth of dates to you on the 13th December.

Going forward I will be putting dates to you monthly on the X of the month and the same arrangement applies: you can reply to change the dates but only within 48 hours.
If you are working on those days, here's the contact details for the wraparound care.

ETA with times e.g. Weds at 3 till 9, Sat 8am till Sunday 10am, Sunday 8 am till 9.30 am Monday.

This is much more businesslike (I've had to do this with annoying colleagues who like to hold their power to agree to something over you, likewise to be controlling).

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ThatsNotEvenAWord · 28/11/2025 10:56

So with my team of cheerleaders behind me, I’ve messaged him today to say he can have once a week and every other weekend, take it or leave it.
I feel sick (I’m so bad at standing up for myself) but proud that I’ve finally put my foot down.

OP posts:
PumpkinTwistyWindToots · 28/11/2025 11:03

It's great that you've tried to set a boundary but I don't think you'll achieve what you want. You're offering fixed times but you still can't make any plans around it as he will still pick and choose if he wants them. It won't save you any money as you'll still have to book them in childcare and you'll still have him trying to get you to agree for contact at the last minute/around his schedule which will put you in the position of bad guy to your kids by saying no.
I know I sound like I'm being defeatist but from my personal experience of coparenting with a man a bit like this and my extensive professional experience of supporting separated parents I don't think you're going to see anything change. Going adversarial with a man like this always leads to you and the kids losing.

ThatsNotEvenAWord · 28/11/2025 12:12

No I absolutely see what you’re saying. It feels like a lose/lose situation. I’ve cried this morning at work because I’m so stressed and frustrated about it.
He’s read my message but not replied. He’s probably waiting for his girlfriend to tell him what to say 😐

OP posts:
ArtTheClownIsNotAMime · 28/11/2025 13:18

It's not lose/lose. Your boys will get consistency one way or another and he will learn he can't have it all his own way and needs to work with you. I know how stressful it is waiting for that reply but well done for sending the message.

JungAtHeart · 28/11/2025 18:26

My ex did the same. Refused to agree to any co-parenting plan. Refused any agreed access structure. Eventually I had to send him my DDs schedule for the following week (I home schooled) and he decided if he wanted to bring them to any of the activities that I had organised. Then he would often change his mind … without notice. It was all about control. So I left the country and took my DDs with me. Fuck him and the horse he rode in on 😂 he had his chance to be a parent!

ThatsNotEvenAWord · 28/11/2025 19:26

I really feel like doing that today!!

OP posts:
ThatsNotEvenAWord · 28/11/2025 20:59

Update: we had a very horrible exchange of messages but he’s agreed to have them every other Friday/Saturday from January. He’s refused the Wednesdays so I’ve said I’ll be flexible provided he gives me 2 weeks notice so I can book childcare.
Lots of ‘poor me’ about how his job is so much harder than mine and how he’s asked the boys if they’d be happier seeing him less (!!!) so that’s great that he’s been worrying them about it all too and making me out to be the villain, not a surprise at all.
Part of me is glad for a bit of progress and part of me is wishing I hadn’t said anything.

OP posts:
TwinklySquid · 28/11/2025 21:08

You need to be firm. Have a set day, say the 25th of the month, where you require him to have given you the dates he wants.

If he doesn’t, then make your own plans and he can work around you.

You aren’t his secretary. All you have to do is make the kids available for a reasonable amount of time - with reasonable notice .

Tuesdayschild50 · 28/11/2025 21:11

Being realistic this can't be allowed to go on this way with you waiting on his word when he is seeing his kids.
You also have a life to lead a new boyfriend there must be stability for your kids so I'd bite the bullet and say there has to be a routine in place or you are beholden to him for years .

Oldwmn · 28/11/2025 22:50

ThatsNotEvenAWord · 28/11/2025 08:21

Still no dates given for December and I need to book wraparound care today. Do I message him this morning and say that if he doesn’t let me know today, he can’t see them next week? I’m not very good at being assertive, especially with ex h.

Go ahead with your plans. Show your teeth!

RandomMess · 29/11/2025 07:39

Just counter it with the DC, it’s great daddy is going to see you EOW so you know when it’s going to be.

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