The other thing is - she can't just expect to sit there and be a full time stay at home Mum! People have to work, to earn and pay their bills. Once you're no longer a couple, why should you not both work and share the care of the kids?
The situation where an ex wants to be a stay at home Mum and have you pay for everything, while they want the kids most of the time is not right.
The reason we have to go through these process to get an order is because there isn't a law that clearly states who children live with and for how much time, when parents separate. There should be - it protects children from being in the middle of these separating disagreements.
I don't think you'll get past her viewpoint that the older two kids are hers - and she;s "allowing you" to see them on her terms. Cafcass might get past that viewpoint though by disagreeing with her. Then she can argue with someone else lol!
Just bear in mind that Mediators jobs are to mediate - it's what they do - they think they can solve things so people don't need to go to court. It would be nice if that was the case but human nature is that, if something is not legally binding they will damn well do what they want and so agreements get nowhere because the other parent really doesn't want to do what they've agreed to.
In many cases when mediation starts, an ex just walks out part way through, or cancels at the last minute, or keeps changing the appointment causing weeks of delays. And in the background looks to change everything to how they want it.
If it was me I'd just get signed off at mediation on Monday and put the application in.
Before she gets the court papers you could perhaps say that you think it would be easier if you both can get some help on workign out what would be best for all the children so you've asked the court social workers to look at the situation and they will help both of you try and reach agreement. So you'll both be getting papers through the post soon and a phone call from cafcass who will try and find a solution you're both ok with.
That's a kind of vague way of saying "I've applied to court" without it sounding like an attack. And means it's not a shock when she gets the court papers with a copy of your application.
I get the impression you're shying away from telling the mediator that abuse means mediation isn't suitable? None of these situations are certain or predictable. But I think getting in first is a good start - get the ball rolling.
Alternatives:
You could accept being bulldozed into accepting her terms. See how things go for the next year and if it's not working, then apply to court. But finances will get tied up wiht that and by then she will claim she is the resident Mother in the former family home - and it's harder to change things. And she could still just up and move AT ANY POINT! New partner in another county etc.
Go for the prohibited steps order and propose a reasonable sensible schedule for the kids.
The situation where an ex wants to be a stay at home Mum and have you pay for everything, while they want the kids most of the time is not right.
The reason we have to go through these process to get an order is because there isn't a law that clearly states who children live with and for how much time, when parents separate. There should be - it protects children from being in the middle of these separating disagreements.
I don't think you'll get past her viewpoint that the older two kids are hers - and she;s "allowing you" to see them on her terms. Cafcass might get past that viewpoint though by disagreeing with her. Then she can argue with someone else lol!
Just bear in mind that Mediators jobs are to mediate - it's what they do - they think they can solve things so people don't need to go to court. It would be nice if that was the case but human nature is that, if something is not legally binding they will damn well do what they want and so agreements get nowhere because the other parent really doesn't want to do what they've agreed to.
In many cases when mediation starts, an ex just walks out part way through, or cancels at the last minute, or keeps changing the appointment causing weeks of delays. And in the background looks to change everything to how they want it.
If it was me I'd just get signed off at mediation on Monday and put the application in.
Before she gets the court papers you could perhaps say that you think it would be easier if you both can get some help on workign out what would be best for all the children so you've asked the court social workers to look at the situation and they will help both of you try and reach agreement. So you'll both be getting papers through the post soon and a phone call from cafcass who will try and find a solution you're both ok with.
That's a kind of vague way of saying "I've applied to court" without it sounding like an attack. And means it's not a shock when she gets the court papers with a copy of your application.
I get the impression you're shying away from telling the mediator that abuse means mediation isn't suitable? None of these situations are certain or predictable. But I think getting in first is a good start - get the ball rolling.
Alternatives:
You could accept being bulldozed into accepting her terms. See how things go for the next year and if it's not working, then apply to court. But finances will get tied up wiht that and by then she will claim she is the resident Mother in the former family home - and it's harder to change things. And she could still just up and move AT ANY POINT! New partner in another county etc.
Go for the prohibited steps order and propose a reasonable sensible schedule for the kids.
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