Little advice and help needed!
I split with my ex over 4 years ago now.
Originally agreed on 50/50 which with covid, our child not coping and his dads personal situation changing was scaled back and ended being with me 90%. It has recently gone back to more of the 50/50 or if you break the time down its closer to 80/20. Anyway my boy (7 years) is already showing behavioual changes such as tantrums and being super clingy and not wanting to go. Previously it affected him during school hours which is why it changed. I want to do what's best for my son and feel he needs more stability (currently doing 4 on 4 off days), I feel like he needs to be home during the week as his dad lives over an hour from the school. However I know his dad won't and will see it as I'm trying to stop him seeing his child.
Also we agreed at the time we would try to meet half way between houses but with the cost of everything going up I simply cannot afford it anymore.
We don't have anything written down as far as parental agreements go. We also don't get on very well and communication isn't good (I find I get more help from a brick wall and he always spins it on me that im not flexible and a bad parent ) I've previously tried to implement a written parental agreement, though i didn't try very hard at the time.
Should I try again or head straight for mediation due to the failure in adult level communication. And should I bring up the stability and being unable to meet at the same time or wait between to allow him to digest information. Or am I just being too nice? I want what's best for my boy and will fight for what he needs.
And as far as maintenance goes, I don't get anything at the moment, I get half the child benefit and I pay for all childcare costs. Should I be asking for this too?
Any help appreciated 🙏