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I have twin boys aged 7 with my ex wife who has now aledgedly moved on with her life with a new husband and daughter. I have always been present in my kids lives and have never missed a maintenance payment.
I have my children alternative weekends from 6pm Friday until 5.30pm on a Sunday. For the most part pick ups and drop offs have been amicable.
Christmas this year falls on a Friday and in the best interests of my children suggested that I pick the lads up on boxing day as they will have new toys etc, to which she thanked me for. However, a couple of weekends ago she indicated that a 6pm pick up on Boxing day as she always goes to her moms. To which I confirmed it is my day and also want to see my kids at Christmas and so does my family. Nothing further was said regarding negotiating a time.
Upon picking the children up this weekend I was given homework to complete which consisted of reading books and a piece of maths homework for my one lad. I got them to read there books and talked through the 3 maths questions but failed to record my comments in their homework book.
Upon dropping them off on Sunday she had a go at me for not completing the books of which I told her what to write based on My assessment.
Since then she has text to say that I am late picking them up on a Friday by approx 15mins (i have got a new job following redundancy and now have to travel approx 70 miles to pick them up and because I did not do the homework properly that I can now only pick them up until Saturday lunchtime and she will do homework on Friday night???
I am sure this ilogicall behaviour is setting a stance for me not to have them until late on Boxing day and she has stated that this is the way it is going to be in the future.
Any help you can give to recommend resolution would be appreciated as reasoning with her has not worked thus far.
Thanks in advance LJ72
Hi and welcome to the forum
Unfortunately, unless you have a court order in place, the only way through is to attempt agreement with their mother.
Perhaps try writing to her and explain you have been courteous and accommodating in not insisting the children are with you on their scheduled day which happens to fall on Xmas day and ask her to reconsider?
If you are unable to agree, you could try mediation ?
Things can often get worse between parents around the festive season, you're not alone in experiencing this and her indication of decreasing contact time is not fair to you or your children.
If you can, try to keep your communication in writing as it might give you both a little time to think things through before responding.
Good luck
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