Hearing for more shared care, cao. What's the average for the nrp

[WhyDidIStartDecorating]

Dh has a cao for his dc.
He currently has eow and 2 weeks in summer hols. This arrangment was made when his dc was much younger and the court felt this was sufficient for the dc age.
There's a few bits in the cao that need addressing aside from that too.
His dc begs every time for extra time with dh and our family. It's visible dc doesn't want to go home.
He's asked his ex for more holiday time and to keep dc for 3 nights eow instead of 2 so return to school the Monday. she's outright said no, that's her time and ' no way is he having her more of the holidays or anytime as that's not what the cao states as it's her time. He didn't get anywhere despite it being the dcs request. So he filed for another cao.. The hearing is in 2 weeks and we're wondering I'd his request is reasonable. Or would they see it as too. Much the dc is 8 if its of any relevance

There's no "norm", but he's getting very much on the low side of contact right now.

Thank you. That's low because the dc was very young at the time and a few other factors. Nothing bad it was due to dhs works. However he's now in a better job that allows plenty of time off.

Whilst there's no "norm" you frequently hear of EOW, a day in the week after school for tea and if school age half the holidays/alt special occasions. No guarantee for that though. Your DH will have to put forward what he believes is in DS best interest and an argument as to why

I wouldn't use the argument that the child begs to stay. This happens because she will have had a fun weekend with you, then back to reality during time with her mum. You are not her mother and I can tell you from experience that court applications such as this cause much bitterness and will permanently damage relations between your dp and his ex. Parties become very entrenched. How would you like it if you got told your child begged to stay with another party?

That said, contact is on the low side here. I am a gp carer and one of the childrens' fathers had eow contact, no midweek, and just over a week in the summer holidays. The courts refused to change it when he wanted more (or in reality his parents wanted more because he didnt turn up half the time) and said they didn't want to see the matter back in court again. Will your dh have a mediation appointment prior to a hearing?

It is a real shame she will not negotiate and be a little more flexible because there is nothing worse than having matters forced upon you. Could your dp not appeal to her again. I have no doubt you will get the extra contact.