AIBU to ask for more money to help pay for holiday camps when dad won't take holidays with kids

[kcha24]

Hi mums,
I'm getting divorced and DH is refusing to have our 2 children more than every other weekend (so no holidays or midweek visits).
I'll need to return to work so then I will incur the cost of holiday camps outside of term time.
His child maintenance basically covers our monthly food bill but he says this is what it is for.
My solicitor says children and finances cannot be mingled in the financial consent order but it seems unfair as there is of course a financial cost of kids and this will fall on me, when my salary will be a third of his. I wondered where it would fall, ask for it in the financial order or in the children agreement or do I basically have no comeback to ask for anything beyond CM?
Also, as he is on the bare minimum of 52 nights/year (every other weekend), I will take the kids away for a summer holiday at some point so therefore he will be just under 52 nights. Do I have the right then to ask to put him in a different CM bracket and pay more or is that my decision to take the kids away and so he will not be obliged.
I'm dealing with someone completely unreasonable and empathetically devoid here.
Thanks!

I sympathise completely. My ex is the same- he has had the children a grand total of 2 nights this year and none last year. Unfortunately I've had to pick up all the costs for childcare, and school holidays are so difficult, because CM is supposed to cover everything. I'm not sure you can do anything to force him to pay more if he doesn't offer.

On your other question, yes definitely tell him he is below 52 nights so he falls into the 0-52 nights bracket for CM. Although make sure you count bank holiday weekends etc- I used to mark on the kitchen calendar when he had them overnight, I don't bother now as it's so rare.

You can agree a higher amount at court but he can easily go to CMS and pay the amount they Stipulate.

I would see if he will agree to a higher amount. Some NR parent are reasonable. Others not.

Sadly the cost you incur when the children are with you. Fall to you solely.

Will you be entitled to help with childcare costs? It’s worth checking OP.

Could you maybe drop your hours down?