My ex is becoming a bigger pain, if that's possible

[frannn]

I have worked FT since I graduated high school, less one or two years after my first child was born and I was finishing my college education. I was married to my ex at 18, and in our entire relationship, he only held one steady job for a decent length of time. This job was a great town job handed to him by his dad. He eventually messed that up, and except for a few weeks here and there, has not worked for about 5 years. He got a settlement for an accident he had while on the job, and being as bad as he is with $, has burned through it. He inherited his dad's house a few years ago, and can't afford to continue to pay property taxes, etc without a job. He pays child support (whenever they threaten to take his licsense away) for 75/week or biweekly for two kids (believe it or not, I forgot). I am lucky enough to have been working from home FT for the past couple years, and watch my DD1 (from my second marriage) at the same time. So, he thinks that since I am home, I should pick up the kids from school every day and basically watch them while he works. When I was working outside the home, he would pick them up and watch them until I was done working so he didn't have to pay extra child support towards a caregiver. He now got a job at Home Depot, making 10/per hour in a town 45 minutes away from his home, and has missed 4 days of visitation with the kids. He claims he is too tired to sit with them. I am an accountant, and need to concentrate to do my job well. I know these are my children, but I feel he is taking advantage. If I have spent this many years watching my kids and working (my oldest DD is 15), then why can't he spend some time with him on his normal days when he gets home? He is totally messing with the kids schedules and is missing their counceling session tonight. I am sorry for rambling, and I feel a bit guilty complaining about watching my own kids, but for those of you who work in an office-could you imagine if you had to take 3 kids to work with you & be expected to do a great job? I have a lot more to lose than him if I lose my job. Is 10/hr less taxes, child support, gas 1.25 hours round trip enough for him to pay all his bills & worth it? Its almost like he is doing this to prove its not worth it for him to work. He has driving skills- he could apply for jobs with higher paying/closer/more convenient hours. I guess this would just take too much common sense!

 

[frannn]

 

[Jeanny]

hang in there and remember that's what we're all here for == to listen to our friends!!

 

[TigerBear]

Here are some (((hugs))) for you!!! I'm sorry your ex is not more involved in your children's lives.

 

[NC Belle]

OOPs: Okay lets send FRANNN some extra PD and hugs!

*~*~~*~*~~*~*~~*****

 

[Rutt and Tuke]

Oops, sorry. I've been trying to only respond to positive threads today but I guess this one is okay.

{{{hugs}}}

 

[RobinMarie]

<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_28_102.gif' border=0></a>

 

[minniecarousel]

Yeah - I think you need a hug

hang in there

 

[bumcat]

If Home Depot is anything like Lowes (my dh works there) he might be (for once) telling the truth if he is in management. They make them work lots of hours and I believe at least 6 days a week. If he is not in management then usually they keep the other employees close to 40 hrs per week. It really depends on his position.
But please understand I'm not taking up for him at all.
At Lowes they freak out if a regular employee has more than 40 hrs.

 

[Tuffcookie]

from one mom, with an ex, to another!

TC

 

[huey duey & luey]

hugs to you
Tara

 

[C.Ann]

I got some hugs for you too if you want them.. I went through the tortures of heck with my ex too so I can definitely relate to your pain..

 

[Otto's Doll]

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

Don't know how to do those fancy smilies!