To ask for a contribution towards holiday club?

[MyGhastIsFlabbered]

ExH and I separated 5 years ago. During school holidays we've each had DCs for 4 weeks which is our entitlement at work. The other weeks I've covered by having a family member look after them. For various reasons this isn't an option any more and I'm left needing to book holiday club for at least 2 weeks over the summer. This is going to be very expensive, even with tax credits.

AIBU to ask ExH for a contribution towards this or would he expect his monthly maintenance payments to go towards it?

It's been a long arduous journey and we're only just beginning to get to the point where we can actually be civil towards each other and I really don't want to upset the apple cart by being unreasonable. But then again, 2 kids in holiday club for 2 weeks isn't cheap, and part of me thinks he should cover half the school holidays anyway.

So you both do four weeks, and now there is a shortfall because the family member can't help there is a further two weeks needed? I think that cost should be split 50/50. Does he think you should cover it because it is your family member not being available anymore?

He's always stated that because he only gets 4 weeks holiday that's all he can cover and the other 9 weeks are my problem. Whilst unfair, while my mum was happy to help out it wasn't a huge problem. But this year it is.

You could split the difference after you’ve taken off the tax credits/child benefits and see what he says. Child support won’t make him pay extra as it’s meant to be one payment to cover the NRPs contribution

If holiday club is during time that the children are meant to be with him then he should pay for it. If the children are meant to be with you during this time then you should pay.

Have you checked if it's cheaper for you to take unpaid parental leave. Where I live holiday clubs are £42 per child. That would work out at £840 for 2 children for 2 weeks. If you earn less than that post tax it might be worth looking into.

Either way if the agreement is 50/50 holidays then he should contribute or also take parental leave.