Dc's dad doesn't want to see them anymore

[17leftfeet]

For the last 3 years exp has had the dcs alternate weekends

During that time at least one night of the weekend he has been leaving them with various family members while he goes out

He never rings them in between contact

Recently he said the weekends aren't working for him so he wants them a couple of evenings during the week instead

I've told him this won't work for the dcs due to after school activities so he needs to stick to his weekends and he's not happy, says he won't have them

He has a strained relationship with dd1 but dd2 loves seeing him

I feel so sad for them -is there any point even trying to change his mind?

17 - have you offered them the option of staying on the Friday night?

I presume you only work every second weekend - would it be possible to work every Saturday instead and get someone to sleep over & have them every Saturday?

I'm not saying it's easy to find someone, but if you keep advertising, you will find someone - possibly even a Mum trying to earn a few extra quid one day at the weekend.

See - people like Emma :)

I don't have room unfortunately unless they didn't mind sleeping on the sofa

Unfortunately I can't work a fixed day as the person working opposite me would have to do the same which would affect his access with his children

My parents pick up the extra weekends when I'm doing holiday cover etc but they are too far away to do it regularly

Is this a second job or is this an extra day at your main job?

How catastropic would it be if you had to give it up?

Would you get much more in CSA if he stopped having them every second weekend (I'm guessing not).

Do the girls like any of his relatives enough (the ones who have been babysitting) to spend some weekends with them?

I know it's not the question you asked when you started the thread, but getting this sorted would mean you could tell him to feck off without worrying about your job!

I wish it was a second job -it's my main source of income and losing it would be catastrophic

Unfortunately his family won't babysit for me, only for him

Csa would go up about £30pm he's on minimum wage all be it full time

Gahhhhhhh - is there any way you could keep your job and not do the weekends? Any possible trade off?

So, if he stops seeing them, his family are happy to stop seeing them are they? Charming.

£30pm

He'll just have to keep having them for as long as they can tolerate going, but if I were you, I'd keep advertising for a weekend day babysitter - I know you will find one, people need the money and it's money for jam minding two that age.

I'm already on family friendly hours by just doing day shifts during the week to fit in with school wrap around care

Weekends would be a step too far

Could the girls share a room and you get an AP?

They could share but I earn less than 25k so it's cost prohibitive

Which is a bit of a vicious circle really

I believe an au pair is circa £80 pw 'pocket money' plus food & increase in bills -is that correct?

Yes - generally they are but that's for x amount of hours pw etc. What you need is different. You need so little you could get away with offering room & 'board' in exchange for weekend 'childcare'

17, just want to say I can sympathise with your situation.

My ExH used to see our DD every Sunday and every other Saturday into the Sunday, plus one night in the week. Since meeting his girlfriend, he has now reduced his time with our DD to just every other weekend. Said his previous arrangement was no longer practical. Practical?!? WTAF???

Cue one very upset DD who now thinks her dad would rather spend time with his girlfriend than her

Unfortunately there's nothing you can do to make someone a better parent. Just console yourself with the thought that YOU get the majority of quality time, and you're doing everything possible to be there for your DC, even if he isn't stepping up to the mark.

We've had quite a funny development

He's said he will continue to have them weekends if I provide all clothes /food etc while they are there and he stops paying maintenance

I obviously wasn't agreeing to that so he's now told me to appoint a solicitor as he is going for full custody

I'm finding that statement pretty funny

I'm looking for a m-f job, my parents have said they will have them at weekends while I'm looking and if a swap my mortgage to interest only then I'll manage

What a game player...

Let him go to a solicitor and see how they laugh him out the office

These "men" (I use the term loosely) are of a certain kind. My ex was the same, and then terminated all contact.
Do not be trapped into giving up anything.
I think you need to prepare yourself that your ex is probably building up to terminating the contact too. They look for excuses, invent all kind of ridiculous excuses why it's not working, and no matter what you do or offer, it won't work. They then fight for residency - when you know they don't want it. They won't get it, but then they can walk away with their heads held high that they "tried for the children but they just couldn't take it anymore." it will inevitably be all your fault. After many years of this crap, my DCs and I have never been happier. Youngest does ask occasionally, and I just say "not sure why he hasn't phoned, why he isn't taking you. Maybe's he's busy, ill, etc." I am long past making excuses or covering up for him. Oldest one now simply thinks father is an utter twat!
Get everything in place now, as I did, so that you don't need to rely on him. I also worked weekends but you can do it. Get an au pair and you can get child tax credits to subsidise - your kids will love being in their own home with a young adult who can play with them.

Full custody? Let him apply for it, I'm sure he won't, he is just trying to scare you into submission.

My ex was the same and eventually stopped seeing DS all together. It hurt me more than it hurt DS. I was horrified that he didn't want more contact but with time I realised DS was much better away of his dad. It took me 3 years to accept it but it was a blessing in disguise. He was not tgat bothered at Ds, Ds could clearly notice it, so it was more stressfull and hurtful for DS to spend time with him :-(

What is it with people who think they can act this way? He sounds like an absolute nightmare. Whatever you do, don't give in to him. Sounds like he's just trying to play mind games with you.

TBH that is really funny isn't it!

I don't want them, I want them but I don't want to pay for them, I want them full time but you'll have to pay me then...

he's so silly.

Hi op, sorry you're going through this. I imagine it's incredibly stressful and sad. I spent years trying to get my ex to patent but ultimately he's not interested in anyone but himself. Don't waste any energy on this poor excuse for a 'man'. Do what's right for you and the kids, expect nothing, rely on him for zilch. You and the kids will just fine.

He's got a new girlfriend I suppose. He's being the Mr Lovely - talking to her about what a bitch of an ex you are, controlling, bitter...blah blah.

He's doing it all to impress her.

That's my guess.

You need to have a contact order in place.

No girlfriend

Strangely when he has a girlfriend he's nice as pie -it's when he's single he causes problems

Ok. Contact order all the way.

Strangely when he has a girlfriend he's nice as pie -it's when he's single he causes problems

That was my experience too. When he had found a potential girlfriend he was too busy trying to impress, woo, and make them believe what awonderful a father/man tosser he is, that we got left in peace. When the relationship predictably fell apart, he made our lives misery. He thrives on drama - and if there isn't any, he has to create it. Once I realised this and stopped rising to his ridiculous demands he got bored with us and left. He will no doubt be creating drama with his new wife now.