Parental responsibility -legal advice please

[Lavender928]

After resolving an issue with ex’s new girlfriend I have a feeling she didn’t know what days I was going to do when going back to work after maternity in June. Ex works Monday til Friday and is not reliable to be back from work so I chose Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings at a restaurant. He knew about this since March but I told his new gf last week. All seemed fine even ex said he’s knows it’s only temporary but today he made an issue of it telling me to go on benefits or stop breastfeeding ds so he can have him Saturday Sunday.
I’m considering contacting solicitor for advice. He has parental responsibility and I’m not willing to change my life to suit his love life. I suggested they can have Saturday or Sunday together( with new gf) day time and than have kids in the evening. Putting them to bed.
They’ve been together 4 months and even though I get it he wants to be with her I need to provide for my kids and not look after his emotions al needs.
Can mediator or solicitor draft a document to help me work the hours I can and need?
Thank you

You want him to have every Friday, sat and sun evening?

You can't force him to have contact when you want I'm afraid. Even if you were to get a contact order for that (which I doubt to be honest) he doesn't have to stick to it.

Negotiation is your only realistic way forward to be honest.

He has her Saturday Sunday day time now. I’m just sick and tired for him to chose when he wants her and I need to go back to work. He agreed and new this but now with new gf it doesn’t suit him so he’s changing

PR only means he has a legal right to share in decisions about schooling, medical treatment etc.

You can't force him to see the child at all.

A solicitor will write in a letter anything you pay them to.

The child has a right to see their father and has a right to over nights with the dad.

You say you chose that he can have Fri and Sat nights in a restaurant - that sounds very controlling on your part.

If you can’t negotiate contact times between you a court will decide and there will be no flexibility.

Organise your own childcare, child tax credits pay a significant chunk of mine..

Sorry, that was blunt..

But you could get a job mid week, organise you're own childcare, and then you don't have to rely on him for it when you're working. I get 70% of the cost of childcare covered by tax credits, and it's so worth it knowing I won't have any issues getting to work.

It might seems controlling but he agreed to it when I set it up. In fact he said all cool, it’s fine it’s only temporary... Now it doesn’t suit him he’s kicking off. Last minute.
He wants me to not work and go on benefits and stop breastfeeding! To suit his life. I enquired about nurseries and because ds is under one they said they only take them for a full day 9-4 because half days are not good for them. Also day time at the restaurant I’m going back to can be anything from one hour to 4-5 hours. I could always leave earlier to pick him up but I might end up not having enough hours if the weather isn’t good. Zero hour contract and as good as the manager is she can’t affect the weather or the number of customers. I had this issue before maternity and at least then had more flexibility to work more days if I needed to. I can’t do that now and pick and choose more days because of child care. Just like he shouldn’t pick and choose when it suits him.