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Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

Hi, I need advice off some mums.

52 replies

Leeloveshisson · 04/01/2011 14:22

Ok, now were do I start. Im a dad to my son who is 2 and half years old. Me and Mum split up over 6 months ago and the split hasnt gone to well.
I'd like to point out that im a great dad to my son, and he gets whatever he needs and I also pay maintenace to his mum. I have never been violent etc.
Anyway as the split hasnt gone to well Mum will only let me see my son on wednesday evening (overnight) and Sunday 9am - 6pm. I used to have my son every other weekend and every Weds night. Christmas i wasnt even aloud to see my son on christmas day, so as my access was for sunday, i had him 9am - 5pm boxing day.
Im taking this to court because i want fair access and i belive thats benificial to my son.
Anyway mom wants to move away (30 miles away) and for a weds night access it completly unworkable especially as I have work in the morning. (120 mile round trip there and back)
So my question is this, what is a fair way to work out access, especially as i work 9-5 weekdays.
I would love to have my son thurs night through to sunday evening, putting my son in nursery on a friday, thing is as im paying so much in maintenace i cannot afford to do this.
Would any Mums like to comment or if have any further questions let me know.

OP posts:
elastaelf · 04/01/2011 15:54

You may feel bitter now - and it sounds as if she does too, but you need to think long term what will work best for your son. Every other weekend Fri night to sun PM would be fair with a visit or overnight in the week.

It sounds a long way off but when your son is at school he wont be able to do odd days in daycare with you and this might be quite unsettling for your son.

Leeloveshisson · 04/01/2011 16:17

So basically just roll with 4 evening per month. While RP has the 26 - 27 per month. To me and my son that just isnt fair tbh. Shes moving away and i have to stay. So 3 weekends per month is unreasonable? At least Id get that valuable time with my son. I also have family too who would love to see my son as much as they can.

It just seems the laws are suited to the RP and NRP just suck it up.
I can really see why dads just give up sometimes, not that I'd ever do that.
I spent 26 hrs with my son over the christmas period (10 of with my son was asleep) I had no choice in that, it was all i was offerd and that was while the Ex lived in the same town as me. When i hear that my son is being babysat by all and sundry I find that difficult to swallow especially as i live 5 mins up the road. I wont be able to see my son on his birthday and a holiday abroad with him will be out of the question. Thats why i have no choice but to take the legal/court route, if there was an easier way I would of taken it.
At the end of the day farthers should have just as much right to see their children as the RP does.
Thanks for your input all. But I think im getting advice from the wrong people. Sorry.

OP posts:
lucie19 · 04/01/2011 16:24

Just my 2 penneth hear. When I first saw my solicitor about access arrangements she told me that most parents have friday to sunday alternately. I really didn't want to give him any flexibility because I was still so hurt and may this is how your ex-p is feeling? I take the children to school in the week etc because I only work part time and it is easier for us. He picks them up after work alernate fridays and has them unitl the sunday.
I now love this arrangement because it means that I have the best of both worlds I can go out and be 'single' and do the fun weekend things with the children. Perhaps you could put it to her in this way.
Remember though she is still probably very hurt. Someone once likened being left to the reaction of an injured animal. You bite anyone and everything that comes near to you.
Best Wishes

JaquiChanWillSparkle · 04/01/2011 16:59

no, you are not getting advice from the wrong people, we live this life as single parents. You asked, we advised. However, if this is how you feel, then you had better see a solicitor as soon as possible and try and bash this out legally.

gillybean2 · 04/01/2011 17:12

lee i already suggested you go to the families need fathers website for further help. Don't expect them to tell you what you want to hear either though, they'll pretty much tell you how it is and if you're being unreasonable. They'll also give you support, advice and legal help if you need it and listen and accept it from them.

No-one likes it when they find out about the realities of the court route and how powerless you can be. Is it any wonder when it's all behind closed doors and you don't find out the realities of it until you experience it yourself. Up till then you believe that courts and judges make the right decisions. And then you're in it and you can't honestly believe the decisions made behind closed doors.

I haven't even mentioned to you yet the possibility that she could accuse you of DV and even of assaulting your child if she feels so vendictive. In fact she may feel threatened by you if you turn up unannounced or demand to know wbout your ds's welfare. Which you are entitled to of course, but it's how you go about it and how she's sees and feels about the way you go about it.

Believe me when I say I know how it can be for a father trying his best to see his child in the face of a mother who is determined to do everything she can to stop it. My last partners ex was such a woman. Her hatred knew no bounds and she swore blind to him he would never get to see his child. He did the court thing, followed the rules, eventually after a lot of money and heartache got a reasonable contact agreement after some 2 years. She then accused him of sexually assaulting his dd, envolved the police, her school and ss. And when that failed to get her desired result she kidnapped their child abroad and has been missing with dd for some 18 months now.

Or I could tell you about my neighbours ex. He has custody of their 2dc after a lengthy and traumatic court case. He said in court he would ensure contact with mother etc. But as soon as he got residency he suddenly couldn't afford the travel costs, would cancel at last minute, no car or had a puncture etc. He then called ss on her saying her & her mother saying her mother had beaten children with wooden spoon simply to avoid contact and she had to stay away while investigated - nothing in it of course but they have to follow their rules. He tried to get ss to take away her baby with new partner but failed in that thank goodness. And in court they said that they needed to let things settle and didn't think it was good to move the children back so soon after they had gone to dad. Now it seems likely that oldest dd is coming back to her mum of her own decision.

So yes it is awful what some parents will do. And it's awful what some parents will say and do and attempt to get away with.

The way you feel about your relationship and the way she feels is clearly different. You were ready to move on and realised it was over. She is not at that point yet and is going to take a long time to get there with the added pain and anger she is most likely feeling. People don't act reasonably or rationally when they are suffering trauma like this. In time things may be better, but they may not. Things may get worse if you go to court, or it may be the only way to get reasonable contact with your son.

But you have to stop thinking about what you believe to be reasonable and start listening to the realities of what you are likely to get and what everyone else considers reasonable. The vast majority of cases that go to court are likely to end up with every other weekend and half the school holidays. By the time you get to that in court your ds will be at school so your dream of 3 weekends in 4 isn't likely to be a reality I'm afraid. But I am happy to wait to be proved otherwise if you can get it.

Try here for more advice from people in your situation
www.fnf.org.uk/
and here
www.spig.clara.net/

mummery · 04/01/2011 18:09

I don't see how that much has changed in your access agreement. You used to get your son every other weekend ie 4 days per month. You now get him every Sunday ie 4 days per month. The Wednesday night arrangement has endured. ??

I think your ex will probably see it as quite aggressive if you ask for every weekend or even 3 out of 4. My ex has suggested that to me. Granted my DS is older than your but there is no way I'd agree to surrendering every/most weekend. One day your ex will be working and/or your son will be at school and the weekend will be at school and the weekends will be the only time she has to relax and have fun with him. It is unfair to expect her to agree to giving you every weekend and indeed having it set in stone so that she'd have to go back to court if at any time in the future she regretted this arrangement.

I repeat others' encouragement towards mediation. You state that you want what is best for your son's mother as well. Remember that she has been dumped (only 6 months ago - not a long time) and left with a toddler. Now you are making unreasonable demands for access and threatening court action. For a recently single parent that's pretty scary. She probably feels very vulnerable especially as it's clear she hasn't got great financial resources. I'd be terrified if my ex wanted to take me to court. Try to be kind to her. Instead of counting hours and minutes and what percentage of time your son is asleep or awake in your presence.

Have you tried kindly offering your babysitting services? Instead of getting agitated about it. Say if she ever needs a break or a night out you'd love the chance to step in and help. That would be a constructive thing to do and might help communication between the two of you.

PinkIceQueen · 04/01/2011 20:49

Agree with mummery. My ex gets my 2 every weekend, from 10/11am Saturday until 5pm Sunday. I work, but get school holidays off, so this works for us, as he is limited to 5 weeks holiday a year, one of which he is allowed to have boys for an entire week to go on holiday. I always have them Christmas day, he always has them Boxing day, he decided to leave, he accepts he gave up his right to see them every day, which is what he would dearly like to do. Recently he got upset because I had asked someone else to babysit whilst I had to go to a works thing, I was surprised, but agreed that in future he would have first refusal on babysitting. Communication is the key and letting each other know calmly your point of view. Your ex will be feeling very raw still, give her a chance. She needs to move for support, I think you are being unreasonable moaning about that. It is so so hard being on your own with young children. Could say a lot more, but most of it has been said by others. Good luck with your situation.

Justanamee · 04/01/2011 20:59

If I was you OP I'd try for advice on this on Wikivorce.

Is that right is it? The person who leaves gives up their right to see the children every day?

How can people moan about how hard it is to be on your own with young children but not ALLOW their ex
more contact, sounds like punishment to me.

PinkIceQueen · 04/01/2011 21:17

So a partner leaves and then wants to see the children everyday? How is that in the best interests of the children? Confused Not to mention the left partner!

Leeloveshisson · 04/01/2011 23:14

PinkIceQueen, I completly disagree. "he decided to leave, he accepts he gave up his right to see them every day" If a couple do not get along why on earth should they stay together.
We split up and I tried my best to help with the new arrangements. I looked after the children, One being my step daughter and my son, when she went to work and i never complained ever. I helpped with the new living arrangements etc etc.
Just because I left my ex dosent mean i left my son, i had no choice in that matter. At least I want to see my son unlike other farthers who couldnt care less.
farther and mother have an equal say and share in a childs life. and that means fair access too.
Im not asking for everyday but i have offerd when ever the need would arrise that i will look after my son and her daughter. All i want is a fair say, not to be treated as a doormat.
Sorry for the rant but i felt that had to be said.

OP posts:
blinder · 04/01/2011 23:29

Leeloveshisson you don't have any rights to 'access'. Your son has right of contact as long as this doesn't harm him.

I missed why the original weekend contact was reduced. Are you being completely honest on this thread?

PinkIceQueen · 04/01/2011 23:44

You are going completely off the original subject now OP. I know I give my partner fair access thanks. What I'm saying is (from my own point of view) that for him to demand to see them everyday once our own relationship had broken down and he had decided to move on, was both unfair on the children, who would be confused, and on me who would also like to move on and not be faced with an ex partner in my house every day!

You asked for the views of other mum's, i was giving mine, if you didn't want honest views/opinions, why ask? Imho, you wanting your ds for 3 weekends out of every 4 is unreasonable. I also said that you needed to give your exp time to get used to the turn her life had taken, again, my opinion. Finally, wanting to return to where she has a support network seems fair, again, my opinion, which you asked for.

Leeloveshisson · 04/01/2011 23:46

My access was reduced because my ex belived i was in a relationship with another girl, who is actually a close friend. And yes i am being completly honest.
Like i said Im a good dad to my son, I always have been and always will, and i pay CSA. so i am being fair from the very begining.
I only came on here for some advice and was open to discussion. Alot of comments favour my ex which i find shocking.
If you see all my posts you will see i havent knocked her or put her down in the slightest. All i want is whats best for OUR child.
And excuse me if i use the wrong terminology "access" and obviously my sons right of "access" falls with a judge.
Which bears the question and my request, what is a fair visitation routine i can offer my ex and put before a judge. As she will not acept any offer that i make.

OP posts:
PinkIceQueen · 04/01/2011 23:53

I can tell you what a solicitor will advise - every other weekend from friday night to sunday night - hope that helps. I doubt you would get more access or whatever the right terminology is, by going to court, unless your ex is an unfit mother, which she clearly isn't. The fact that you are a good dad and keep up maintenance payments will hold you in good sted with your ex once the dust has settled I'm sure. 8 years down the line, I know I appreciate how lucky I am to have a reliable ex who turns up when he says he's going to, looks after my boys properly when they are with him, and has a direct debit paid into my account on the same day every month.

Leeloveshisson · 05/01/2011 00:00

Ok, Thanks for the advice on that pinkicequeen, i do appriciate it.
So would i seem unreasonable if i asked for a few extra days during easter and a week or two at summer holls to take my son away on a holiday and a few days over christmas. I have family down in cornwall and they did offer me and my son down there for a few days last year, which my ex refused. At the moment my ex is adamant that i cant do that.

OP posts:
gillybean2 · 05/01/2011 00:05

For the last time.... look herewww.spig.clara.net/
and here
www.fnf.org.uk/

If you can't be bothered to look at these two informative and helpful websites (which I have already suggested to you in previous posts) but can still yell at the people here giving you the opinions you asked for as well as advice and sharing their experiences, then I think you are not actually very serious and are just looking to vent some of your frustration. Understandable but it's not going to help you with your situation.

Go look at the sites. You will learn a lot

PinkIceQueen · 05/01/2011 00:16

He is very young at 2 and half, which may be why your ex is reluctant? I wouldn't let my ex take my youngest for a week in summer until he was about 5 (i think), and only agreed to an abroad holiday last year for the first time. We built up to it over the years. Obviously things change and evolve as time goes by. Me personally, I'd be uncomfortable, but others may not, and it all depends on your sons relationship with you/your ex. My sons would have missed me too much at such a young age to not see me for more than 2 days. You can put forward your suggestions, thinking back, i think that solicitor did suggest my ex had boys for a week to allow a holiday during the summer, but i wasn't ready at that time, and neither were ds's. They always have and always will come first for me, so if i had to p ex off now and then to make sure they were happy, i did it. I know it's crap, it's crap for everyone, all you can do is put the needs of your son first and go from there. If he lives with his mum and she's happy, he'll be happy. Best advise i can give, sorry. Off to bed now, work tomorrow! Hope you manage to come to an arrangement that you will all be happy with/accept.

PinkIceQueen · 05/01/2011 00:17

Lol gb... now off to bed I am, really!

mummery · 05/01/2011 17:50

Yes, your son is very young, it's not natural for a 1 or 2 yr old to be away from his mother for a week or two weeks, surely you can see that.

I think it's great that you want to see your son, bit perturbed however that you've twice now invited commendations for the fact you never hit your ex, I would hope that goes without saying.

Hmm
whiteandnerdy · 05/01/2011 18:17

"it's not natural for a 1 or 2 yr old to be away from his mother for a week or two weeks." - Ewww, for some reason this comment kind of annoys me.

That reminds me should take the kids out to hunt some Woolly Mammoth this weekend, and maybe practice being chased by a Sabre Tooth Tiger.

P.S. I know, I know, not really adding anything am I.

mummery · 06/01/2011 17:32

Maybe 'natural' was the wrong choice of word and by 'mother' I mean primary caregiver.

Thus: it could be stressful for a 1 or 2 yr old to be away from its primary caregiver for a week or two weeks, especially when it has no build up.

I said this in response to OP's point that he would have liked to take his son away to Cornwall age 1.

I stand by that sentiment.

AMAZINWOMAN · 07/01/2011 13:25

I think you are all being a bit harsh. The op is saying that every other weekend if she moves away won't be enough for his son. (And op) That's a valid argument.

AMAZINWOMAN · 07/01/2011 13:28

I know women who have used access to their kids to get at their ex.

Nevertoolate2 · 07/01/2011 16:46

I'm slightly surprised by some mums' views on here.

My ex has my children every other weekend Friday evening until Monday morning (when he takes them to school), Wednesday nights and half the school holidays. They were 2 and 5 when we started this arrangement.

This seems to be a lot more than most on here but why shouldn't Dad's have this level of contact as long as it is not disruptive to the children?

I definitely think you should be allowed to take your son on holiday.

lowercase · 07/01/2011 19:58

That is your arrangement Never, that you are happy with.
the OPs ex is clearly not happy with theirs, from what i can gather..

they 'drifted apart'

he had a 'close female friend'

the ex lives away from her family support network.

they are 6 months into separation and she should just adjust, because he is ready???

im slightly suprised at your views.

the ex has not been unreasonable as far as i can see.