Hello,
My partner gets very limited access to his children, infant school age although not young young children, ends up being just a mere few hours on a Saturday or Sunday and it's really not enough. We'll be out having a nice time but end up clock watching as it's soon time to take them back and the whole visit is rushed. He has tried being reasonable with his ex, asking etc for longer/sleepovers etc and excuses are made all the time as to why this can't happen and it just seems really unreasonable like she wants them all to herself. As a mother myself I can see that he is so lovely with his own children and mine, and I can't see any reason why he and his children can't have more quality time with one another. He's put up with this for a number of years with her calling the shots, it's making everybody miserable, and I have told him she is never going to be any different unless he does something about it, ie court. I have told him to go and see a solicitor which might hopefully make him feel better about the situation and his rights, and start the ball rolling, for getting about the costs as he owes this to his children. However speaking to a male friend recently who was on a similar situation a number of years ago, he said he turned up at court and requested a date, paid a fee, represented himself and got better access including sleepovers. Has anyone any experience of doing this, as it seems a lot more straightforward, cheaper and quicker than the other option? I must point out that he is not trying to take the children away or anything like that, but just for them to all enjoy one anothers time for more than a few hours. Thanks I'm advance to anyone who can help.