Contact issues with Ex - disrupting work trips

Hi all,

Having issues with my ex over contact, most recent was last night.

Had the kids over the weekend (Friday to Sunday), then was flying out on a business trip on Sunday evening. Having had similar issues in the past I don''t normally divulge information on my whereabouts to the ex but in this instance she knew this trip was taking place.

I was due to drop the children off at the FMH at 1800, then leave directly for the airport, my flight was at 2030. I was slightly late (10 mins) but ex was not there. Called her mobile, no answer. We waited until 1900 but still no sign of ex and no answer of voicemails. I knew it was getting tight to make my flight so I had to make the call and take the children back home with me. Ex finally made contact saying she was home at 2030. By this time I had already called my boss to tell him of the situation and that I would miss my flight. The trip was paid for, in advance, by my company.

This is so maddening, my boss was OK with it but many more times and I could be finding me career options limited.

What can I do? Anything?

Thanks

It sounds as though she was making an effort to thwart your trip

I would suggest that in future you don''t divulge your plans to her - is 6pm the usual drop off time for a Sunday evening?

How old are your children?

Was 6pm the usual return time? 8.30pm on Sunday (the time she says she was back) seems quite late for a Sunday night esp as the kids need to get to bed for School the following day.

It sounds like she is playing games to cause you trouble.

Do you have any friends or family close by who could be available to look after the kids for a few hours in case she finds out about your trips again?

She will lose out CM payments if you lose your job due to her messing around.

The boys are 9 & 6, and drop off is 1800 Sunday''s, all times set out in contact order which was drawn up in July.
I suppose as I had to keep the boys for an additional night I got a bonus night and got to take them to school this am and meet their new teachers was lovely.
She was definitely trying to throw a spanner into my work trip....when does it end?

Maybe you should to suggest to her that it becomes a norm.

She may have wanted to upset your work trip and make you angry, but if you respond to her that it was fantastic to have the kids that you loved dropping them off at school - you''d like to do this on a regular basis.

What can she come back with? If she allowed it once, there''s no reason not to allow it again (and again)

I think you can turn this into a win/win situation

But do you have back up of friends/family members to help out if you need to go off on a work trip?