To get back in contact now?

[CandyCaneKitten]

My ex has always been a bit useless as a father since we split, he often disappears for up to a year at a time, this time however has been the longest time he hasn’t been involved (over 2 years) in march he got in contact asking to see them and to “help” me with them (at this point it was coming up to the 2 year mark) I was angry at him for how long he had disappeared and not bothered with the children and the kids weren’t bothered about seeing him so I told him what I felt and he didn’t respond. However since then a lot has happened and changed and now I’m thinking I should accept his “help” and get back in contact with him as things have changed since the last time we spoke. Aibu to get back in contact now?

Start by going to CMS. If he's serious about being in contact he can start by providing financially.

He doesn’t work so no maintenance

It’s not help he should be offering, it’s parenting. This includes paying his fair share of the costs of his DC’s.
It’s a pretty poor offer, like the dads who offer to babysit their own children once in a blue moon.
Up to you whether you get in touch, but I’d keep your expectations low.

Yeah that’s kind of what rubbed me up the wrong way last time he said he wanted to “help” I thought why now after all this time but tbh I don’t see why he shouldn’t