problems with ex-partners access arrangements

[morethanamum]

Hope someone can help me with this....ex left family home march 2004 and has remarried. I have always encouraged regular access with my now 11 and 4 1/2 year old and the arrangement has been from sat 9.00am to sun 5.pm. However ex now has baby on way with new partner & has changed arrangements to Sat 5pm to sun 5pm. I said ok that was up to him but now he keeps changing it again and expects me to drop everything if he wants to pick them up earlier one week. I don't think this is acceptable as I am entitled to a life too and should not be expected to be at his beck and call. I would value your opinions

[meredith101]

express your wishes in writing, if denied go to court.

[bednobs]

life is vey unpredictable on both sides. Think how hard it would be for you to have one time and one time only to see your children. Now imagine you are pregnant and how that might affect your ability to do things at that one time

[johnny37]

You could make it legal but is your ex really trying to be arkward? I have seen people (normally the man) forced to run up vast legal bills in this way and then the custodial parent ignores the court order anyway. Changing the routine from 9am to 5pm does not seem onerous to me (believe me I had an ex who really was arkward, sometimes dropping the kids off at the door and driving off without warning, or leaving them with a neighbour). Try and keep it civil. There may be times when the kids dont want to go anyway, Are there times when YOU might want to change the routine? Is he doing his best in every other way? Hope this helps.