melissa

[melissag]

I am almost starting to feel sorry for my H. He really can't handle it at all when he is not in control.

I texted him this morning (in response to him wanting to rehash the field trip discussion) and said, "I don’t really see any value in arguing our positions any further. For reasons that I have already given, and other reasons that are difficult to verbalize, I simply don’t feel comfortable with her going. I understand and respect that you feel differently, which is why I am willing to compromise by allowing her to go if you are with her."

A few hours later, I got an email from H. For a bit of background, when my L and I discussed our response to his proposed parenting plan, I let him know that whatever we decided, I needed to have certain days with the kids - for our spring break trip and for the MLB opening day game. H had already agreed to both of these. (I am a huge baseball fan, and going to opening day is a must-do. H and I always go, and we started the tradition of taking the kids out of school for the home opener in the last few years. This year I will take the kids myself.)

So here's the email from H:

M,

Your lawyer has informed me that you wish to (i) take the kids to Florida for Spring Break as we've discussed previously, and (ii) pull the kids out of school early for the Rockies home opener on April 4th. I have no problem with you taking the kids to Florida for Spring Break. Have a great time!

I am concerned about the amount of school that the children are missing, however. After skipping a day this past week for your Mother's 70th birthday party in Richmond and refusing to let D9 go on the field trip next Tuesday, I do not feel comfortable agreeing to pull the kids out of school again for the Rockies home opener. I view their education as a critical part of their growth and disregarding it so casually sends, to my mind, a poor message to them. If, however, you would be willing to reconsider your stance on D9's field trip, I would be more comfortable with them missing school time on April 4th.

H


Wow. What a completely transparent attempt to control and manipulate me, thinly veiled by using a BS argument about concern for the children's education. (Which magically vanishes if I agree to do what he wants. Hmm.)

Anyway, I had to laugh at how desperate my H is to stick it to me.

I also laughed because we only said I wanted to have the kids that day. Nobody said anything about pulling them out of school. They don't even have school that day.

There are so many things I could point out or argue or stick it to him, but I think I will just agree not to take the kids out of school for the game.

SMH.