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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Ex wants DS more nights but then leaves him with his mother?

11 replies

Jessicarosex94x · 06/05/2023 22:24

DS is 6 and spends Fridays and Saturday nights at dads as I work weekends. Over the last few months dads asked to have DS 3 nights a week and threatened to take me to court. However since we split 4 years ago he has DS every Friday night then I'd probably say every other week sends DS to his mums (DS grandmas) Saturday night because he (my ex) has plans. So for the last month we've trialled this extra night so DS is now going Thurs-Sunday morning yet he still leaves DS with his mum. I just feel as though if he wants more quality time with DS he shouldn't take a night from my time with DS in the week to essentially get more time with DS without it effecting his Saturday night social life. Instead use the night DS is with grandma to spend time with him. I'd love to have DS weekends but it really is the only time I can work as I work till late. I feel It's like the equivalent of me saying I'm seeing my friends Mon-Thursday you're at work so DS will be with my mum but I'll have DS Saturday night (dads night) so I can spend time with him then. When surely the responsible thing to do would be to spend time with DS on the nights I do have him and if I choose to not use that time to spend with DS then that's my problem and shouldn't then effect dads time with DS. Completely understand parents need time off and to still have a social life but every weekend? Is this fair?

Also I've been tempted to message grandma saying I'll pick him up but then I don't want to make it sound like I don't want DS spending time with grandma and I work till late so don't think it would be fair on DS to be picking him up at bed time when he's settled. Torn because it feels unfair but then I also understand he's 50/50 our child so regardless of if DS is with him or grandma he should be entitled to have DS equal time as I and it is his choice what he does with that time.

OP posts:
Cheesewiz · 06/05/2023 22:27

Does he pay child support? Maybe he is trying to avoid paying

Jessicarosex94x · 06/05/2023 22:36

He pays a lot less than what he should which I've always let go as I don't want it to influence him into having DS more purely to keep payments low. I did think maybe he's thinking if I do more nights I'm safe in regards to maintenance.

OP posts:
caringcarer · 06/05/2023 22:50

Maybe his Mum pressures him to get dogs with her.

GrillinMcChillin · 06/05/2023 22:52

So he has his son every weekend? Does he work during the week? I think it's unreasonable to expect him never to make plans on a weekend if he has DS every Fri-Sun. But YANBU to expect this to not be every weekend. However as everyone always liked to say on MN, it's not really your business if he sends DS to spend the night with his grandma on "his time", like it wouldn't be his either if you ever sent him to your parents for the night.

As for the extra night I can see how it's frustrating but surely if he did take you to court and he could prove he was able to care for DS the extra night i.e. can get him to school on Friday etc .. then he'd be allowed to have his son extra?

supersonicginandtonic · 06/05/2023 22:52

Maybe he wants a social life? He has him every weekend. Do you never have a baby sitter? My kids have sleepovers at their grandparents on a regular basis as they have a great relationship.

GrillinMcChillin · 06/05/2023 22:55

Does your son enjoy spending the time with his grandma? My son loves sleepovers with his grandparents. Just wondering if this is more about you/he and what you/he want rather than DS actually being unhappy with this.

Abergale · 06/05/2023 22:55

Other side of the coin: a good relationship with grandma is a great thing for him.

Dontbelieveaword · 06/05/2023 23:03

If you're not happy, let him take you to court. The only result is that he'll get what he's asking (or more at 50/50) with no CM and you'll have both spent a fortune on legal fees.
It's shit that you have to work all weekend, every weekend but I'm sure if you didn't, you'd have a babysitter/family members every now and then to have a social life.
It's your choice not to put something formal in place re CM or shared access orders so I'm not sure there's a lot you can do about it, I'm afraid. If DC is not unhappy staying at GP, then be happy he has a good relationship with them and he is being well cared for during the times you have to work.

quokka5 · 06/05/2023 23:06

If your son is happy and his grandma is capable of looking after him then I think you're giving this too much headspace. You've already acknowledged that you collecting your son on a Saturday night won't benefit anyone. The phrase 'pick your battles' springs to mind.

UnbeIievabIe · 07/05/2023 08:13

I dont see the issue. If he takes you to court you'll see your DC less.

UsernameNotAvailableNow · 07/05/2023 08:17

What happens when he starts school? If you keep this pattern you'll never have any quality time with him yourself.

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