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Old 05-05-2010, 05:34 PM
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I agree with the above, except that status quo is established generally after 6 months to a year. Waiting 2 years is a bit excessive, depending on the children's ages.

If they are around 10-12 years old, you can expect them to make their own changes when they are teenagers, and in fact you will hardly see them. If you are going to try for a custody change, you should either do it before then, or else see if they are onside with a 50/50 split. Be careful not be coercive in this but just see how they feel about it.

When you say this has been the situation "lately" since she started working, how long does this mean? If it has already been 6 months or so, then I would say you should see a lawyer now, and decide your intentions, and then make your move in another 6 months or so when you have your preparations in order.

In the meantime, you should be acting as if in a shared parenting situation in every way possible. Stay home and take care of them when they are sick, at least half the time. Be involved at their school, if possible do some volunteer hours there, or go along on a class trip to assist the teacher. Take the children to doctor's and dentist's appointments, at least half if you can't do all. Take them to activities after school (piano lessons or swim lessons or sports practices) and be as involved as possible.

If you want a shared parenting custody arrangement, you have to be ready to live this way on an ongoing basis. Doing these things now prepares you for it, and prepares your case, these are all things you will want to point to.
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