Michelle...ah...you do remember my XW! I didn't want to leave my DB buds new and old in the lurch...you're right.

Yeah, “CONTEMPT” is a strong word, but those of you who have read my postings know that my XW is one of the most irrational, angry people out there. If you want to do some archeological digs on this site, look back at September-December 2006 and check it out.

Anyway, here’s the deal. My parenting plan has a lot of ridiculous stuff in it that sounded OK 4 years ago, but you all know how that goes……….

On odd years, I pick up S13 from school on the last day of school before winter break. He stays with me through Christmas Day until 5Pm, when I’m scheduled to bring him to XW’s house. He stays through the next morning and then she brings him back to my house.

I have that week off, so he’s with me for 10 days, and she’ll see him for 5 whole hours over the Christmas/New Year’s break.
When I was married to XW, we had the same family at our home on Christmas Eve for 20 years, and she of course, wants nothing to change.

Over the past two weeks, she’s been lobbying to have D19 and S13 at her house on Christmas Eve, because they “have asked to come over”, regardless of what the plan says. She wants the old traditions to continue regardless.

I hold my ground, unlike anytime during my 20 year marriage to her and said “D19 is an adult, and she can go where she wants to. (My new wife’s) daughters have planned on being at our home for Christmas Eve for several months, because we all wanted to be together”

Here’s the rub. My new wife’s dad had some medical issues this year, and we are scheduled to be at her parent’s home at 3PM on Christmas Day. Who knows where he'll be next year, and he's a great guy. Bottom line: We need to leave at 1:30 to get there.

I notified XW: “I can’t get S13 to your house at 5, and need to drop him off at 2PM on Christmas”.

Her EXACT reply: “I will not be at home all day, and my house will not be available for him”.

I know it’s the plan…got it…understood, but she won’t give an almost 14 year old a key to her house, and “won’t be available all day” (after hosting a party the night before until midnight, with D19 most likely there and sleeping at XWs)

I know it’s not her job to be flexible for me, and I KNOW what the plan says, but what mother wants to spend only 5 house with a 13 year old on Christmas, and does this look a bit vindictive and aimed at….well……me?

By the way, I brought the kids to my house at noon last Christmas, because I wanted to see them, and she was OK with that.

Bottom line: If she's not home, he's going to come with me, and she can try the contempt route for 2 hours if she wants.......