So, I self-represented in family court. It was traumatic. It was hell. It scarred me for life. He had a barrister and a solicitor. He earned 5 times a much as I do, so could afford it.
I’ve spent my life looking after the children, taken them to all their activities, play dates, looked after them every single school holiday. I loved doing it. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The conclusion of the family court is that the children stay 50/50 with each. A week at a time at each parent. How the hell he does it with his high power job, is another story that I don’t know.
It’s now just over a year later. It was hell and we’ve adjusted.
My question is just, I don’t work school holidays. I have 13 weeks off a year. I’ve now started to look after other people’s children and dogs when they ask me.
It doesn’t feel right. I have 13 weeks off but I only look after our children for 6.5 weeks a year.
He looks after them for 6.5 weeks too. But what is happening, is that they need to keep themselves busy on screens whilst he is working. He has 5 weeks of annual leave.
The 14 year old is ok. Like any teenager, she likes to be in her room and be on screens all day long. That’s not good for her but I don’t think the courts care about it. The 8 year old is not alright. She is developmentally no older than 6. She has autism and a whole load of things. It’s not right that she is having to keep herself entertained whilst he is on calls all day look.
Would it be reasonable to go back and to ask that school holidays are split 8 for me and 5 for him? And term time weeks 50/50?
I know courts are very much in favour of 50/50 now.