Would alternate weekends to Monday school drop-off seem reasonable in court?

[foxred96]

Hi, looking for some advice from anyone who has been through Cafcass/family court regarding child arrangements.
I've submitted a C100 because my ex and I can't agree on a consistent routine and we seem to constantly negotiate individual weekends.

I've suggested alternate weekends, with Dad collecting the children from school Friday and dropping them back to school Monday. I've also suggested a midweek overnight, but he says neither option works because of his job.

His suggestion is two full weekends a month plus another Friday/Saturday, meaning the children would be with him for part or all of 3 weekends out of 4. I'm concerned this doesn't leave enough normal weekend time at home, particularly as they have an older sibling here who they need time with too.

I also work Fridays and have already reduced my hours/pay and requested flexibility from my employer to manage childcare. I currently rely on my elderly mum for help, which isn't sustainable. I've asked Dad to at least speak to his employer about flexible working before ruling it out.

Would alternate weekends Friday after school to Monday school drop off be considered a reasonable proposal? What other arrangements have people had ordered/agreed when one parent's work is an issue?

That sounds entirely reasonable

Is he saying that he can't drop off on Monday morning? I think alternate weekends would be seen as entirely reasonable. His suggestion of an extra Friday/Saturday a month would be confusing for the children and would also disproportionately reduce your weekend time.

I think if he wants more time, the onus is on him to make arrangements with his work and suggest something that he can do. It sounds like he thinks everything should be arranged to suit him, rather than the children.

@CoffeeCup14 He’s basically saying he can’t get them from school on Friday and Monday, he can only offer weekend access, which is leaving me completely responsible for childcare mid-week. Also don’t want to force him to have his children but at my wits end with trying to facilitate access without inconveniencing him.

Sounds very reasonable, he can organise after school club or breakfast club to help him just like any other parent.
Have you tried mediation? A mediator would point out that what you are offering is very fair and very much the norm.

Very reasonable. Unless he has a job that is entirely incompatible (think emergency shift worker or something(, a court would expect that he can arrange something to accommodate his work demands. This doesnt have to be him personally doing it but he can organise other things eg breakfast clubs as PP have suggested.