AIBU? Apparently I am

[khloebear]

Am I being unreasonable to say that regardless wether a parent moved away with the children or not the other parent should still make the effort to see their children???. I don't understand how they get out of it by well you moved away so I'm not going to bother seeing them anymore because they live a few hours away now and I shouldn't have to travel. ( he actually said that ). I've honestly been reasonable by offering to half the journey etc to maintain some level of contact. The best part of it is that my ex wasn't even a regular or consistent parent to our children ( 2 year old twins). He saw them once a month for 4 hours tops from birth and that was all he wanted. I have never stopped him seeing them because I always thought a rubbish father is better than no father but now because they aren't 10 minutes away he doesn't want anything to do with them ever again. Surely you would go to the ends of the earth to see your kids!. Does anyone have similar experience?

Sadly this is very common

Is he paying maintenance? If not can you get that sorted

He sounds like he has no interest in them. Useless dads always find some reason why they can’t see their kids and someone else to blame
I assume you moved for family support/ work reasons. Given his history with them you are clearly going to be a sole parent so that was a good move. You can be all that your kids need. Yes it’s shit but better to realise it now before they are old enough to be aware and get upset by it.

If you offered to do all the travelling would he still see them?

Yes probably

@Rainbowqueeen thanks for your response. Your right and I'm going to get maintenance sorted out ASAP as I have let him away with it far to long.

How do you feel about doing the travelling yourself?

this wouldn't be a regular thing as contact never is so I feel like do I just suck it up and travel the full way and then he will "see" them for a few hours or do I think well if his attitude is if I don't do that he just won't be having any contact with them ever again then he doesn't deserve them anyway. I'm trying to think of what's in my kids best interests because I don't think a father should just opt out of being a dad because he was annoyed at having to do a bit of travelling to see them. That doesn't show love or care.

Usually, it is the parent who moved away who does the travelling.

Am I right in thinking thus was you?

it was

Thank you. As far as I was aware it's the circumstances that surrounds the situation aswell. @SaltandPeppersCellar