A week about is too long not to see your children

[standing on the sidelines]

great post hld.

[Aelon]

This sounds ike the same schedule I am requesting. It's called the 2-2-5-5 schedule and it IS recommended by some experts for children about 6 and under. It doesn't take away time from either parent,, it just reduces the lenth of the separation.

The Court ordered a week about schedule and ever since it started I have become so sad. My child has developed separation anxiety and has become very clingy, to the point that nobody else can do anything for her.

Hmmm, interesting. I have young kids as well (both 3), and currently we have a 4-3 arrangement. I'm finding that my kids can be very clingy when with me. The separation agreement I'm proposing says up to 1 week at a time, but your post has me thinking it's probably best to stay with a 4-3 (or 4-3-3-4) arrangement for the next few years, for the sake of the kids. What's your source for the 2-2-5-5 schedule?

[Mess]

We've been using pretty much a 2 day/2 day schedule with my youngest since separation, he was 3 then. I have him Saturday afternoons to Sunday evening, which is comparable in his mind to two days, and then Tues and Wed. This gives me Friday nights off and my ex Saturday nights off, which was a decent compromise, our little guy only is away from each of us for two days at most, we each get some decent weekend time to go out to an event, park, etc and we are both involved at the school.

He's pretty happy with it over all. He has no separation anxiety. He always wants to spend an extra day or two with me (mostly because he like my house better, he has friends next door and I tend to play one-on-one with him more than his mum does, but she is a good parent.)

As he gets older he could handle longer times away from each of us, but he is happy so we don't rock the boat.

I don't personally see an advantage to week on/ week off, it seems like a long time apart even for my 13 year old. I like to keep track of what homework she has, go to her swimming practises, we have books and shows we like to share and talk about all the time, we cook together, etc. She does the same with her mum, we are both constantly involved with her so it would seem weird to not see her for a week.

[Elvis]

One thing that got me was that he picks up and the kids and drops them off. To me that is a point in his favour.

How does that goes in his favour? Just wondering......

[logicalvelocity]

I always thought Transporting kids for their access to be a parenting responsibility much the same as transporting ones kids to medical/dental apts and other. I do it because I have to do it. So does the other parent.

[standing on the sidelines]

How does that goes in his favour? Just wondering......

he is doing ALL the transporting for the visitation, that is what I meant. The OP doesn't do their share of pick up or drop offs and she did say the kids are far away. To me when there is a distance involved they should try and do it 50/50.

[Elvis]

he is doing ALL the transporting for the visitation, that is what I meant. The OP doesn't do their share of pick up or drop offs and she did say the kids are far away. To me when there is a distance involved they should try and do it 50/50.

My ex insists on all drop off/pick ups. Last year I did it 90% of the time and this year she does it, often comes unannounced. She recently got her DL and says loves to drive but maybe I should do my part anyway and tell her to call before she shows up.

[billiechic]

Hmmm, interesting. I have young kids as well (both 3), and currently we have a 4-3 arrangement. I'm finding that my kids can be very clingy when with me. The separation agreement I'm proposing says up to 1 week at a time, but your post has me thinking it's probably best to stay with a 4-3 (or 4-3-3-4) arrangement for the next few years, for the sake of the kids. What's your source for the 2-2-5-5 schedule?

http://www.albertacourts.ab.ca/famil...planissues.pdf


It's on page 5. They discuss several different arrangements, but this one is recommended particularly for younger children