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What is the best custody set up for a 10 month old?

7 replies

Mamaspegg · 19/06/2024 21:14

I currently still live with my ex partner (not ideal) but just waiting on a completion date on a house I've bought and he's bought me out on our current mortgage. We were together 9 years and welcomed our DS 10 months ago and things went downhill so fast and he told me he 'won't tolerate my anxiety' because I, like a lot of new mums, have been anxious about lots of things in the first few months! And it got to the point he told me he just doesn't like me as a person anymore even though my friends and family look at it the opposite way and think I seem so much happier since becoming a mama.

Anyway, I'll be living a 30 min drive away (couldn't stay closer because of the house prices) and he's trying to insist on 50/50 custody. We both work full time condensed hours, so I get Monday off work and he gets Friday and we don't work weekends. I am so worried about changing the baby's routine I just don't know what's for the best. I do every bedtime, majority of baths, feeding etc and now he suddenly wants him half of the time even though I feel like I've been a single mother for months already.

I just don't know how much overnight contact is too much/not enough at this age. I initially suggested 2 nights a week but he would see him in the days too which I think is more enough because he's never even done the baby's nighttime routine. I suggested I have my Monday off with the baby, Tuesday I can drop him to nursery at 7am (which is near my ex house) he could then pick baby up at 3pm and have him overnight and drop him to nursery the next day. He picks baby up from nursery Wednesday and brings him home to me afterwards. Thursday I usually work from home but my mum is with the baby to watch him for the day and take him on walks etc. Friday is then ex's day off so I could drop DS to him in the morning before I start work and he has him all day and night, drops him to me Saturday morning/afternoon then I have him again until Tuesday. Does this sound reasonable? I just feel like from Monday-Friday I'm hardly seeing him 😔 He's still trying to push for another overnight which quite frankly he won't handle and I think 2 is going to be a struggle for him because he's never done it and DS is very attached to me atm and teething etc. Does this sound ok, too much or not enough? I in no way want to be selfish here but I just want things to be stable for my son and for him to be happy and comfortable. Sorry for the essay!

OP posts:
Viewfrommyhouse · 19/06/2024 21:20

Nope. Babies that young shouldn't be back and forth in different homes. I wouldn't offer any overnights at that age. But as you have, I'd just stick to the Friday day/night then back to you on Saturday.

LittleOwl153 · 19/06/2024 21:22

Overnights are not generally pushed by courts till the child is approaching 2 - due to the child needing a primary carer/attachment. Little and often is seen as rhe more appropriate game for babies. So I woukd suggest getting some advice from a solicitor etc before listening to him pushing.

I would seek a child arrangement order anyway so that he has to return him if he's pushing for 50/50... would that be because he assume that way he wouldn't have to pay maintenance by any chance - given he does very little now.

Mamaspegg · 19/06/2024 21:28

I didn't want offer any nights at all 😔 I haven't set anything in stone it's just because he was pushing for 3 nights a week that I even mentioned the 2 and it still wasn't good enough for him. I told him outright that I don't want the baby having overnight stays for a while yet until he's older but he just said 'you're going to look stupid in court you're being so unreasonable' but he's clearly not done any research at all on how this would affect the baby. I'm going to get some legal advice soon because I think he will push this until it goes to court. Such a horrible position to be in. Thanks for your reply x

OP posts:
Mamaspegg · 19/06/2024 21:29

I said that exact thing to him but he just goes 'oh did you read that on mother forums did you' he's so patronising it's unbelievable. But I'm the one doing research while he just thinks he's entitled to everything. Yes I think it's because of the maintenance too. I'm going to get some legal advice because I think it'll end up in court with how persistent he's being, it's exhausting. Thanks for your reply x

OP posts:
Wishitsnows · 19/06/2024 21:31

That’s too young for overnights. Go to mediation or court to get a CAO as he is being unreasonable

OhcantthInkofaname · 19/06/2024 21:31

Has he ever taken care of the child any overnight?

CadyEastman · 19/06/2024 22:50

Agree with the information that you've been given already. You need a Child Arrangements Order in place which means that he has to give DS back if he decides to keep him for longer than you have agreed.

I'd also talk to Rights Of Women. Their advice line is free and they have some excellent guides on their website.

Also agree that what your ex is suggesting will be in no way of benefit to your DS.

Your ex sounds like a nasty piece of work. I'd speak to Refuge about how you and DS can both leave safely.

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