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Re: Schizo's Wedding and the Honeymoon from Hell
by Schizo (Aranea@Spidersdance.com)
on Aug 24, 2004 - 01:29 PM
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She hit us for the child custody and support when we were homeless, so we didn't have much to fight with when it came to our rights. It didn't even come down to a court battle. The only documentation simply lists her as custodial parent, and states the amount Michael must pay her. I don't think visitation is even mentioned.
I hate to take more money away from them, because there is little enough to support the family, considering she only does babysitting for friends, and her boyfriend has to pay child support for three other children, and does odd jobs for friends, mostly painting for a friend's painting business. If I thought that financial reduction would push them to get decent, stable jobs, then that would be one thing, but history has shown that no amount of financial pressure will ever make her get a real job. I sometimes wonder if they would even have food in the fridge if it weren't for Michael's child support.
We're just scrambling to get to the point that we have a roof for the kids when it all falls apart for their mother.
At least now we have that letter. It ought to give us the leverage we need to get better a better visitation situation for us. Namely, one that does not give her opportunities to A) drop off the kids without warning whenever she feels like it, and B) show up hours late to pick them up (or, in this case, not show up at all).
It's all very frustrating. So often we have to choose between spending time with the children, or having a soul of our own. If we can get the third-party arrangement to go through, then the time we have with them will no longer be tinged with the frustration of having to deal with someone so manipulative and inconsiderate.
And I feel so horrible for my step-son. He feels so unwanted. I want to take him right now. Maybe I can - I don't know. We'll see. At least I can give him some extra love. He seemed so happy that his father and I are married now. Poor kid - he knows so little stability. It's no wonder he acts out sometimes. But he's always good for us (most of the time!)
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