not excercising access

[ont2005]

What happens when I have an agreement for visitation and
certain holidays and summer arrangements and my ex has
not been following them. He doesn't bother which is fine with me
I love my kids and they are happing with my parenting.
The odd time he will see the kids and I don't deny him that.
He is very good with the child support payments and has never missed
one.
I'm not sure how to make him follow the order , can you do this
I was told that the courts couldn't do anything , is that correct
I guess we can't hold him to it , if he doesn't want to
What are my options
P.S. THis is such a wonderful source and I appreciate the help I
have received , this is very kind of you

[logicalvelocity]

ont2005,

There is no law to compel a parent to be a parent to a child or for that matter to exercise access. Access is the child's right - not the parents.

If your ex is not showing up for access, I am sure the children are disappointed. I have heard of some circumstances where a custodial parent has taken the issue to court and all access was ceased by order because of similar circumstances. This would be an extreme remedy. The non custodial parent did not seem to care as they wern't exercising the access anyhow.

A lot of non-custodial parents drift out of their child's life mainly because they don't feel like a parent to a child, have no say in the child's upbringing etc or another reason is they just don't want the responsibility.

[ont2005]

can I make him pay for sitting on weekends that I want to
go out? not for work , just to get out?