How does CSA work in terms of care in school hols

[Boymum2811]

Hi everyone,

My little boy has always gone to his dad's on a weekend for 1 night either a Friday or a Saturday but from January his Dad wants him an extra night to avoid paying more maintenance and we have settled on him picking him up at 4.30pm Thursday, having overnight and dropping at school Friday.

What I'm not sure of is if it's a school holiday or my son is off school ill does he have to be responsible for childcare on the Friday? Because he's never had him through the week it's always just fallen on me, he's now saying it's not up to him to take time off as it's just the 'overnight' we are talking about.

Very confusing! It doesn't really benefit me as I'll be getting less money and will still foot the bill for childcare on a Friday or have to still use my holidays.

Anyone else got any experience or advice on this and what you do please?

We don't have a court order or anything written up, but we do have CSA done officially in terms of they calculate it each year.

Thanks

What I'm not sure of is if it's a school holiday or my son is off school ill does he have to be responsible for childcare on the Friday? Because he's never had him through the week it's always just fallen on me, he's now saying it's not up to him to take time off as it's just the 'overnight' we are talking about.

Yes it would totally be his responsibility - but what happens in reality is often quite different

Cheeky sod. Yes it is his responsibility

My little boy has always gone to his dad's on a weekend for 1 night either a Friday or a Saturday but from January his Dad wants him an extra night to avoid paying more maintenance

Can you clarify why he would suddenly need to pay more from January?

Surely he is dad’s responsibility for 24hrs. ie from 4.30pm on Thursday to 4.30pm on Friday when he should drop him back with you. That’s what I’d be telling him. You want to not pay it’s because you’re taking the responsibility mate.

It’s always the woman that does all the grunt work and the low salary or using holidays to care for sick kids. the man picking and choosing and then complaining how Hes hard done to.

Fucking lazy bastards.

CSA work off how many nights they stay with the other parent. So they could have the child 8pm to 9am the next morning and they would qualify for the reduction.

Personally I wouldn’t be letting him have the extra night just to reduce his maintenance. I would be saying that you are happy for him to have more time with your son but if your son wakes up poorly on the morning following the overnight stay at his, that it is his responsibility to take time off work or make alternate care arrangements for him until you finish work to collect him.

By the sounds of it though if he has openly said the extra night is to reduce maintenance then I would have something written up in court specifying which day (the entire day) he is responsible for before any extra nights start.

Just have him be responsible for Thursday 4:30 until Saturday lunch time. Make his weekend day consistently the Friday night, that way there is no question he is still responsible for the whole time

Hello, it's because we have have had the annual review and because his wage has increased a lot, he's having to pay more from Jan. He's currently on 1 night a week or less, but will now change to 1-2, this then amends the amount payable to me.

This was my exact thoughts, like you should WANT to have your child because you love and care about them. Which he does, but it seems a lot is driven by money and control too unfortunately.

Why are you being so nice to this tight lazy man?!

I mean I definitely am not nice, however I do think it's important to be civil. Wouldn't it be great though if all Dad's acted like a parent should.

Well if hes having him thurs pm til Sat am (have I read that right) he is responsible for childcare on his time. I would put it in writing and let him get on with it. And inform the school of new arrangements.

Yes, if he wants 2 days a week, it’s literally the whole 48 hours.

Surely, he gets 12 days annual leave a year though. He just uses it for childcare just like all the other decent dads do. 🤷🏻‍♀️ My Dh takes off several weeks a year to cover school holidays.

Yeah 48 hours sounds better for all concerned.

Your son will be able to plan ahead to see his pals etc knowing he’s usually always wirh dad on whatever nights or mum in whatever nights.

Id defo offer that.