I asked for some vacation time with daughter. Wife and I agreed to 7 days a year in our parenting plan. Wife took hers this past summer, and I was completely obliging. Actually, she took another one during her parenting week. We have a 50/50 schedule with week on week off, but we also have a mid week visit from 3 to 7pm during the other parents week. I agreed to move my visitation day to another time, as not to disrupt their full trip. Last week, during Daughters B-day, I agreed to letting wife bring daughter home later than described in our parenting plan. I want to be reasonable and compromising with her, as we will have co-parenting requests like this for YEARS. When I made my vacation request with wife, things did not go easily. I asked for time during Christmas vacation from school, as that is a time when D and I are both without work and school responsibilities. I explained that it would not affect our normal holiday schedule or mid week visitations. I simply had the time to spend with D, and I wanted to use my vacation days. I was just asking for a yes or a no, and I expressed that I would understand either way. I was met with terms, conditions and complaints about it taking time away from W during a Holiday. Every reason under the son, without a yes or a no answer. I kept validating, but re-addressing my request. "I understand your feelings and concerns. please consider it, and let me know if I can or cannot have her". This gets better. She then declined my request, saying "I will swap weeks with you, so you can have D on those days, and I will have her for New years instead. Then you can keep your vacation days for some other time". I held my ground and expressed that this was my request for vacation days, not a negotiation to re-arrange our parenting schedule. I said, "disregard my request. I am not angry, just frustrated. I will simply make other plans". She kept the badgering going, and I kept calm and cool....but Geeeez, some peoples perspective.
Today, I will make a great Thursday! Positive thoughts and good spirits....I think I can, I think I can, I think....
