Myself and my ex got on ok co parenting for the last 2 years. However since he got his new girlfriend he has changed. He has stopped paying maintenance and despite CMS ruling he should is contesting this.
We video chat with the kids on the nights we aren’t with them. Now he doesn’t want to on the weekend. So he doesn't have to bother with the kids and can swan off without his children ‘interrupting’ and he doesn’t want me to call them at weekend either. He stated to me ‘it’s happening’
We agreed to trial not speaking to the children Saturday nights. Thus yesterday (Friday) I explain to the children that we will be doing this as they are having so much fun at whichever parents it’s nice for them to not have to interrupt playing to call. I was neutral about it and did not express my feelings (I am never too busy to call them and would like to!)
When my son Spoke to his dad last night the first thing he said was I want to call mummy on Saturdays. I then hear his girlfriend start shouting in the background, in front of the children they both start shouting on video chat at me saying it didn’t need mentioning, I’ve blown it up into something it didn’t need to be. That I’ve been ridiculous.
Firstly if a change is occurring I want the children to know, otherwise what will they think? Mummy and daddy don’t bother calling anymore??? They will have no explanation for it.
Secondly I think shouting in front of the kids was unreasonable and I quickly went into another room and asked the shouting to stop. It didn’t.
His girlfriend grabbed the phone shouting at me. I hung up on her. She is not in this co parenting arrangement I believe it is between me and Ex and don’t expect her to be shouting at me, it’s nothing to do with her
AIBU - I shouldn’t have said anything and the calls just stopped on Saturdays. Their reaction was justified.
YANBU - it’s important to explain to children a change and show you support it (kids aged 7 and 4) their behaviour was unacceptable.