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Just wondering if any other fathers out there are covering their ex partners holidays.
I've been separated from my ex for 9 months and the divorce proceedings are just starting, but the ex has been away for 2 separate holidays with her new partner and had me take time off work to look after the kids. The ex has been away for extended weekends with the new partner numerous times in the last 9 months leaving the kids a couple of times with me or a friend of hers or a couple of times with the eldest who is now 18.
The ex is planning another holiday away and wants me to take time off work to cover. I took a 2 week holiday and took a couple of the kids with me and she is saying that I expected her to be available for those two weeks and I should be available as it is my parental duty. I was told to leave the house 9 months back as she was bringing in a new partner who would be spending a lot of time in the house with the kids. Which has progressed to living there unofficially.
Is the ex correct in expecting me to be there to cover her holidays and was it wrong for me to expect her to be available when I took my holiday as we are suppose to be jointly parenting the kids.
Unsure of the rights and expectations at this point in the divorce process.
Moving on
Technically, neither of you can demand that the other is available to cover holidays, it should be something that is done by agreement. Even a contact order only states when children must be available for contact, not that the non-resident parent actually must attend. This is something better sorted out by mediation, or by simply sitting down with your ex and working out times together. She must expect that you can't always take time off to suit her whims, but it's also worth bearing in mind that it is giving you contact without having to fight for it.
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