Another battle for shared parenting

Another battle for shared parenting - damn shame there's so much money in restricting time with Dad.
Please go to http://thefamilycourtphenomenon.blogspot.com/ for dicussion of why mothers get so easily talked inot to stopping their children seeing their Dad.
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Outcry

Hi,

I dont contact very often but my Hsband and I have a mediation meeting with his ex and her new partner tomorrow. We have court orders in place that are 7 years old. We have broached them about shared parenting. I have two step kids that are 8 and 6. They both would like to spend more time with us. We now have 3 of our own 5 4 and 10 mths.

She has flat out said no. She and her husband also have a 4 yr old. We have had a pretty good relationship up till now always been able to sort stuff out. This is different. She has told the kids no way is it going to happen and has told them that we want to keep them forever. She asked them what they wanted and my stepson said he wanted to spend more time with us. She told him to move in with us and burst into tears. She has also told them that their 4 yr old will be lonly and is making them feel responsible for him.

I dont want to ruin the kids with a big court fight but I also think that they will be beter of if we have week on week off access. Their are also a few small incidents that we have issues with like sending my stepdaughter to school with headlice stuff in her hair or not brushing hair properly so their are huge knots or taking them out on delivery runs until 9.30 at night. We would like them to be part of normal family routine and have a normal relationship with them instead of trying to push it into every second weekend.

My oldest goes to the same school as his bro and sis and so I know theirs no geographical probs. I think maintenance or loss of is a big part of it but you cant say that can you.

Regards

Liz

PS wish me luck