Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Lone parents

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

Original poster

Their father moves into a caravan...

7 replies

AliPally73 · 14/09/2013 23:09

I am at a slight loss on this one: I have two children aged 9 & 6. Their father (we divorced a year ago) is imminently going to move into a caravan as he can no longer afford the mortgage on his house. He has for the 4th time in 11 years lost his current teaching job due to falling out with his Head/Governors....where do I stand in having any say in whether this accommodation is suitable for the children when he has them to stay for the weekend?? Thank you, Ali

OP posts:
Onesleeptillwembley · 14/09/2013 23:36

I don't know, but what's led you think it would be unsuitable?

scurryfunge · 14/09/2013 23:37

What are your concerns about the suitability of the caravan?

MissMarplesBloomers · 14/09/2013 23:37

What sort of caravan is it?.

They do vary. TBH they might be a bit cold when winter kicks in but depends on the heating system ( if any) he has. At least they are old enough to have a say.XX

colditz · 14/09/2013 23:47

Some children live in caravans. Most of this country's population spends two weeks a year in a caravan. There is nothing wrong with caravans.

Unless he is an unsuitable person to be around children, there is no reason to stop access.

hettienne · 14/09/2013 23:48

Isn't he able to judge whether the accommodation is suitable for children?

purpleroses · 15/09/2013 10:47

If it's a static caravan on a site, and has some sort of heater, then I think it's OK really. Presumably there's bunk beds for your DCs? Does it have its own toilet and shower, or do they need to walk to the communal block? That shouldn't be a problem in the daytime, but your DCs would probably not be safe/comfortable walking to the toilet on their own at night.

If it's a touring one with no heater, only one bed out the back of someone's house then that's a bit different and probably not suitable as a regular place to stay.

Are you on amicable enough terms to ask him about it? Maybe offer to drop the DCs round some of the time so that you can keep an eye on how it is?

My ex is also crap with jobs, and earning enough to provide a decent place for the DCs to stay. He's done a caravan (unheated), rooms in shared houses and now has a 1 bed flat - with a DW and toddler too. But does manage to have the DCs 1 or 2 nights a week and they're very accepting of the situation really.

Hawkmoth · 15/09/2013 10:49

Carbon monoxide alarm. As a justifiably paranoid housewarming gift.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page