How to navigate DDs feelings and upset of going between houses

[MascalPascal]

Dd is 7. Has court ordered EOW Fri to Mon and one midweek overnight. So 5 out of 14.

DD is finding the midweek one really tiring and in all honesty it is very disruptive.

Her dad lives 30 miles away. He's put her in ASC on his pick up day and breakfast club on the drop off following morning. She's having to get up significantly earlier and her journey is much longer

Dd also doesn't sleep well at his house.

Every time I pick her up from school following the contact she's exhausted and melts down.

We are due back to court in summer and I feel this midweek should be an after school contact only.

DD enjoys weekend contact but has expressed she wants to be at home in the week and sleep in her own bed.

She cries every time I drop her to school on the midweek overnight contact day.

Any advice would be welcome.

Dds dad is abusive so no talking to him

You should go ahead and request that it’s just 2 hours after school or going out for some tea or something, you’ve clearly got a very child centred mindset about this which is what the courts are looking for and the overnight part DD is asleep anyway so no real reason why contact can’t be kept to her waking hours and be better suited to her age and desires!

I recognise this contact was court ordered but it is only in practise that the issues are discovered so keep fighting for your DD’s peace!

How long have you been doing this schedule for? Can she come home prior to the contact / and before school in the morning or is there a need for 3rd party?

I’ve always had my kids here rather than after school club (because they didn’t like after school, and I enjoy the check in / extra time with them).

Could you suggest mid week contact but no overnight stay and maybe he gets a few more days of the holiday? I’m divorced, my children move between the houses well and no court order so we are flexible within reason if dcs want to stay an extra night ect. But it sounds like a really long 48 hours for her so child wellbeing comes first really. Good luck x