DS seeing his dad one day a week

[Tangoisbetterthanfanta]

And it’s messing up my weekends.
I have my DS 10 every other weekend(50/50 with his dad). My other DS 2 only sees his dad sat am-sun pm. Me and DS10 like to go away to our caravan at weekends but can’t as DS2 dad sees him then so I need to stay home for him to pick him up. I’ve suggested he have DS2 Friday-Sunday(even every other weekend) but he’s said no.
if we go away, I’m expected to meet him half way(which is an hour drive each way) to drop DS to him. I really can’t afford the fuel for this, and it a pain in the neck as we like to have days out and have an early start.
how can I get around this?

That’s pretty much what I’ve said
no reply as yet

How did it go OP?

I don't think there is anything unreasonable about the request. The Dad only sees his son 4 nights out of 30 by choice. I also don;t see it as forcing him to align with DS1 Dad, even if he never saw his Dad you would have the same issue with going away because you would still have to wait for DS2 Dad to collect him.

And as a PP mentioned, things do come up. Amicable parents just switch the weekend so it may look something like 2 weekends in a row with one parent then 2 weekends in a row with the other. Also totally fine to just agree to an extra weekend, it's really not that big of a deal as people are making out.

You cannot force DS2 Dad to see him so don't try. DS1's weekends with you are already dictated by DS2 Dad which is not on. You're putting the kids first and he's just being selfish.

This sums it all up perfectly. Thanks.
I’ve still not had a response from my messsge. I won’t be sending a follow up message. It’s down to him to decide what he wants to do. I’m really not bothered at this point, which is very liberating. And I have mumsnetters to thank for that

Hello wise mumsnetters.
so he’s still digging his heels in and is speaking to a solicitor soon.
what are his chances of him getting his own way and this staying as sat-sun instead of Fri-sun eow?

Not that likely I’d think, you’re offering a reasonable solution that offers him something that works with your schedule and around your family which is important too. Maybe offer an additional day in the week as a compromise so he doesn’t feel he’s losing time? Although i doubt he cares really.

It’ll go to mediation before court anyway and I wouldn’t think it would be seen as reasonable for your other son to have no leisure time with his brother. I’d stand firm, as he gets older you’ll need weekend time with him becuase of school anyway.

So be just wont see him if he doesnt get his own way, but will take you to court? Let him. Did he refuse your very reasonable request in writing?