Is this a reasonable visitation step-up plan?

Background - Child will probably be around 2y6m once visits start. Dad is only interested in every other weekend, I personally don't think this is fair on our child. She is currently with me and my partner 24/7 and has the stability with us here. I don't think only every other weekend is enough for a child so young, he needs to make the effort to see her more so the gap isn't so long between visits. Step 1 - 12 weeks  Every other Sunday day 3+ hours. Non Sunday week - Thursday day 2+ hours. Sunday week - Wednesday day 2+ hours.  Step 2 - 12 weeks  One weekend over night a month.  Alternate Sunday day - 3+ hours.  Non overnight/Sunday week - Thursday day 2+ hours. Overnight/Sunday week - Wednesday day 2+ hours. Final step -  Every other weekend overnight.  Non overnight week - Thursday day 2+ hours. Overnight week - Wednesday day 2+ hours.
Like
Share Mobile
Share
  • Share

Show your support

I used to see my Dad every other weekend when I was little & I was fine with it 🤷‍♀️

My daughters dad (she's 1 on two weeks and we haven't been together since she's born) only has her every other weekend for 12-5 on a Sat and 12-4 on a Sunday. I agree with you, it's definitely not enough. He also has 2 older kids on the same weekend but has them fri-sun over nights (I know 👀🙄) - I've openly said he can have her whenever he likes etc but he doesn't. I've been in your position and suggested increased times on a step up basis but he accuses me of putting him on the spot and he's currently trying his best (LOL). I know you're trying the best for your daughter, but I've come to realise no matter how much you want /try to help, they won't take it. It's so heartbreaking for the kids but end of the day, she's probably better off with you and your partner. I'd definitely suggest and see what he says but be prepared for an argument (hopefully won't be the case) but also put everything in writing. Even if you discuss it face to face, send him a text afterwards to what you've discussed for proofx

@Rachel I had every other weekend with mine and I hated it. I hated being taken away from my normal home routine to a man I hardly knew because I was only seeing him twice a month, it's not enough.

Yeah, I mean, I didn't have the best relationship with my Dad either, which is why it worked so well for me. I don't see him at all now & haven't since I got married 6 years ago so it's a good job, really. All it means is that he'll have to work a lot harder to build a good relationship with her & maintain it.

@Kelly We've spoken about it privately before but we will be going to mediation next year (he went through cm for DNA so he could stop paying me🙄) bearing in mind I've never stopped him from seeing her. The only reason it's a step up plan is because he hasn't seen her in so long. He's basically a stranger to her at this point and I can't imagine how stressful it'll be for her to start going there overnight twice a month, also the fact he lives in shared accommodation and that's all his involvement with her will be. His excuse last time was money and travel. He's in a good paying job, manages to fund a long distance relationship perfectly fine and we're only around an hour away.

Read more on Peanut
Trending in our community