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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Who's being unreasonable? Father and contact

20 replies

RunningOnCoffee6385 · 07/01/2025 06:36

I have two children with my ex. We split 5 years ago and he has been in a new relationship for around the same time. His wife has 2 children one of her own and theirs together.

I work but only a few hours as I have no childcare. There has been numerous times I've had to call out of work due to him saying he can't do a previously agreed school pick up. I have asked numerous times to sort out a routine for the kids and keep getting told it can't as he works so sometimes might not be there. This means they can go 5/6/7 weeks before staying there during this time he might see them for a few hours but this also isn't guaranteed. I get no help with anything else school runs drop offs appointments etc and I just wonder am I being unreasonable to expect that the kids should be able to go there even if he 'may be' working? I don't know if I am expecting too much? And honestly cannot wait for the kids to be able to be home so I'm not so reliant on him. And prior to them being serious he would have them every other week or at least see them weekly this then changed.

OP posts:
Krumblina · 07/01/2025 06:39

If course you aren't being unreasonable.
Why doesn't he know when he will be working?
Even so you don't have him pick them up last minute just because you're working so why should he. He needs to sort out childcare.
He sounds like a deadbeat.
Is he paying full child maintenance?

RunningOnCoffee6385 · 07/01/2025 06:40

Krumblina · 07/01/2025 06:39

If course you aren't being unreasonable.
Why doesn't he know when he will be working?
Even so you don't have him pick them up last minute just because you're working so why should he. He needs to sort out childcare.
He sounds like a deadbeat.
Is he paying full child maintenance?

No not currently paying child maintenance as work has been sporadic. I don't know where he works or what he earns etc he's self employed.

OP posts:
Whatbloodysummer · 07/01/2025 06:41

I'm assuming he has set days/times for having the kids?

If so, then it's simply not your problem to solve his childcare problems during his time with his kids.

Quite simply, he needs to organize his work around his time with his kids, just as you have to do?

Tell him he will have to sort something else out and to stop expecting you to change your work schedule at short notice. HE will have to change HIS work schedule from now on.

femfemlicious · 07/01/2025 06:42

Why are these "fathers" like this. Thwy are so wicked. They just don't truly care about their children 💔.

RunningOnCoffee6385 · 07/01/2025 06:43

Whatbloodysummer · 07/01/2025 06:41

I'm assuming he has set days/times for having the kids?

If so, then it's simply not your problem to solve his childcare problems during his time with his kids.

Quite simply, he needs to organize his work around his time with his kids, just as you have to do?

Tell him he will have to sort something else out and to stop expecting you to change your work schedule at short notice. HE will have to change HIS work schedule from now on.

No set days it used to be every other weekend. This then changed when they moved in together to when he can.
The only thing set was for school pick up one day a week when I'm working.

OP posts:
femfemlicious · 07/01/2025 06:44

Whatbloodysummer · 07/01/2025 06:41

I'm assuming he has set days/times for having the kids?

If so, then it's simply not your problem to solve his childcare problems during his time with his kids.

Quite simply, he needs to organize his work around his time with his kids, just as you have to do?

Tell him he will have to sort something else out and to stop expecting you to change your work schedule at short notice. HE will have to change HIS work schedule from now on.

He simply won't do it and there is no way to force him. He has op over a barrell

ThejoyofNC · 07/01/2025 06:45

Sounds like you need a court order in place. He's ruling your life.

RareNewt · 07/01/2025 06:46

Need to get a court order for visition and child maintenance from him. They will look at his earnings on his wage slip. Don't take his word for how much he gets.

RunningOnCoffee6385 · 07/01/2025 06:48

I don't even know where to start with court orders I'm already so drained I just don't know how much more I can take. I've suggested 50/50 even but his wife point blank refused this.

OP posts:
Theunamedcat · 07/01/2025 06:51

Court orders are useless in these situations you can't force him to be a father

Can you get a childminder so you can work more hours you could get some money back through universal credit? Yes you will have to pay for days he is supposed to be having them but right now he is crippling you financially

I will say in my experience when I arranged childcare and didn't come out of work my ex did actually have the children however he also dripped poisonous words into their ears about "mummy only cares for money" so bit of a double edged sword

ThighsYouCantControl · 07/01/2025 06:52

Whatbloodysummer · 07/01/2025 06:41

I'm assuming he has set days/times for having the kids?

If so, then it's simply not your problem to solve his childcare problems during his time with his kids.

Quite simply, he needs to organize his work around his time with his kids, just as you have to do?

Tell him he will have to sort something else out and to stop expecting you to change your work schedule at short notice. HE will have to change HIS work schedule from now on.

That’s what he should do- arrange his work schedule properly so he has proper, consistent contact with his children. But he won’t unless he wants to, the OP can’t make him.

It’s a horrible irony (is that the right term?) that says a court order can dictate that a RP (usually mum, lets face it) has to make the children available for contact with the NRP (usually dad) but the NRP is not legally required to have contact with their child/ren. If they don’t want to, they don’t have to. They can pick and choose if and when they see their kids and there’s fuck all anyone can do about it.

CandiedPrincess · 07/01/2025 06:53

It's up to him to cover childcare on his contact time but unless you have an actual court ordered agreement you're going to struggle to enforce this. It's also not his wife's responsibility to provide that childcare. Assuming the kids have grandparents or other family remembers?

RunningOnCoffee6385 · 07/01/2025 06:54

Theunamedcat · 07/01/2025 06:51

Court orders are useless in these situations you can't force him to be a father

Can you get a childminder so you can work more hours you could get some money back through universal credit? Yes you will have to pay for days he is supposed to be having them but right now he is crippling you financially

I will say in my experience when I arranged childcare and didn't come out of work my ex did actually have the children however he also dripped poisonous words into their ears about "mummy only cares for money" so bit of a double edged sword

One of my kids is special needs and I haven't been able to find a childminder who's able to manage as quite high functioning but I am currently looking for a new one but as on a part time timetable at school it's very difficult as goes to school from 8.30-11.30

OP posts:
ThighsYouCantControl · 07/01/2025 06:58

RunningOnCoffee6385 · 07/01/2025 06:48

I don't even know where to start with court orders I'm already so drained I just don't know how much more I can take. I've suggested 50/50 even but his wife point blank refused this.

Have you gone through CMS at all? I had a couple of years of being told ex was to pay me zero (due to sketchy “self employment”) but suddenly they passed on his details to HMRC for some reason and did an investigation and I’m getting a bit of money now. Ex is abusive so we don’t talk at all, I have no idea what happened or why but I’ll take what I can get for my children.

RunningOnCoffee6385 · 07/01/2025 07:13

ThighsYouCantControl · 07/01/2025 06:58

Have you gone through CMS at all? I had a couple of years of being told ex was to pay me zero (due to sketchy “self employment”) but suddenly they passed on his details to HMRC for some reason and did an investigation and I’m getting a bit of money now. Ex is abusive so we don’t talk at all, I have no idea what happened or why but I’ll take what I can get for my children.

No cms as I don't know any details so just assumed I won't be able to do that but maybe I can look into it

OP posts:
RunningOnCoffee6385 · 07/01/2025 07:15

CandiedPrincess · 07/01/2025 06:53

It's up to him to cover childcare on his contact time but unless you have an actual court ordered agreement you're going to struggle to enforce this. It's also not his wife's responsibility to provide that childcare. Assuming the kids have grandparents or other family remembers?

No grandparents around unfortunately so I'm literally at his mercy as such. My sister isn't local to me so not help from her.

OP posts:
CoffeeCup14 · 07/01/2025 09:09

I am really sorry you're in such a difficult situation, particularly with a child on a part-time timetable.

You can't make your ex do anything. He should be reasonable, reliable and putting his children's needs first but he's choosing not to. If he is unwilling to be an active co-parent, you need to find ways to make things work without him. In your situation it sounds like it willstill be almost impossible, but it will reduce the stress because you will have more control over the situation.

Put in a CMS claim. It's a lot easier than it used to be. If he's self-employed you might still get little or nothing, but at least you'll have facts. The CMS system is really unfair and it's very easy for men to dodge their responsibilities.

Have you considered applying for an EHCP for your child? You can apply as a parent. It's easier if the school are supportive. The process can take a long time and may need you to appeal etc but it's relatively straightforward and you may get better provision. You can get them for children who are high functioning and intellectually capable but struggle with mainstream school due to ASD, for example. It does rely on there being provision available in your area.

Try to find a way of working which doesn't require any input or support from your ex. He isn't reliable so factoring him in make you feel powerless. It is really hard (it may actually not be possible). So many parents of children with additional needs are left in situations which are actually not possible to manage, and made to feel guilty when actually it is the support system which is at fault. Schools are designed in ways which lots of kids just can't cope with (too big, too rigid, too complex, too noisy) but the system refuses to acknowledge it so parents are scapegoated.

I hope you are able to find a way through.

Goldengirl123 · 07/01/2025 09:31

Tell him that if you have to stop working then he will have to pay more maintenance

RollerCoaster2020 · 07/01/2025 11:48

Goldengirl123 · 07/01/2025 09:31

Tell him that if you have to stop working then he will have to pay more maintenance

But that's a lie.

Zimunya · 07/01/2025 11:49

Whatbloodysummer · 07/01/2025 06:41

I'm assuming he has set days/times for having the kids?

If so, then it's simply not your problem to solve his childcare problems during his time with his kids.

Quite simply, he needs to organize his work around his time with his kids, just as you have to do?

Tell him he will have to sort something else out and to stop expecting you to change your work schedule at short notice. HE will have to change HIS work schedule from now on.

Totally agree

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