What can I do

[ThatTaupeDeer]

Hi
after a bit of advice really, I'm newly separated from my husband of 8 years, it was a mutually agreed separation and we have coparented fairly well so far, he has every other weekend and one night during the week. He now is saying he wants more overnight stays and contact and I don't want that, he works long hours so children would need to be with childminder or care club longer, mediation wasn't successful so we're going to family court. He has a great solicitor but I simply cannot afford one and it seems I'm not entitled to legal aid!
Is there anything I can do?

”I don’t want that” isn’t going to be a successful argument, and he’s almost certainly going to be awarded more contact than every other weekend and one overnight if that’s what he’s requesting. Plenty of working parents single and in couples use wraparound and holiday childcare, it isn’t a reason to deny him more contact with his children. You’ll be more successful if you can show you’ve put some thought into a timetable of contact which allows him more time whilst also focusing on your children’s needs and how those can be facilitated within it. Could you offer longer periods in school holidays, for example, when he can take leave, in return for fewer weekday overnights?