Going straight forward...antlers 5th thread.

[antlers]

thinking about it...though not sure if I'm the best one to give advice.

I will say your response needs to be clearer. Like the last misunderstanding, it is hard to figure out what happened here.

In the future you both need to be much clearer and much more specific about what the expectations are.

During initial conversation..."so, you will have them for the whole weekend and I will make up for the time without them another time..." or something like that.

If Sunday is your day, it would easy for her to assume you still wanted it even with MIL in town...can you see your part in the communication breakdown.

Maybe,

"Dear W, it was my impression that you wanted the kids the whole weekend because your mom was in town. I truly thought I was accommodating your request. In the future, let's make sure to clarify exactly what days we are talking about when we change the schedule. There's obviously nothing more important to me than spending time with the kids and I made other plans, giving up precious time with them, because I thought you wanted it. Nothing to hide, just ask me and I will always clarify what my intentions are and what I am thinking.

Best,

Antlers"

Something like that?

Hi aliveandkicking.

I trust your advice.

I think it's less of a misunderstanding than last time. Tuning up my response too...to be more clearer.

I agree...we need to be more specific.

Yep...that sounds more specific, and much better.

It wasn't just Sunday...the whole weekend was my weekend! And I gave it up so she and the kids could visit with whichever members of her family came up for the weekend. Why would Sunday be any different than Saturday? I do see that we both could have been more specific.

I like your response. I'm gonna edit it some, and incorporate some of it into my response.

Thanks aliveandkicking. I always appreciate your input.

Hope you're having a good day.