I’m feeling really lost and frustrated with my co-parenting situation. Currently, I have my son for 8 out of 14 days in a two-week period, while his mother insists it’s a 50/50 custody plan, which it clearly isn’t. I’ve tried to propose solutions to make the schedule more balanced, but she refuses them all, claiming she needs Saturdays off for work. I even offered to watch our son on weekends, but she still says no.
Now she wants to claim our son on taxes every year and says she won’t ask for child support if I agree. I have four kids, a mortgage, car payments, and I’m living paycheck to paycheck. I can’t afford my diabetic medication, and she knows this but still insists on her way.
Recently, she quit her job, moved in with her mother rent-free, and earns about $1,500 a month from cleaning houses, while collecting EBT and smoking marijuana during the day. I’m trying to be a good co-parent, taking care of our son whenever she’s sick and being involved in his life, but I feel like I’m being taken advantage of. I make about $6,000 a month, but it doesn’t stretch far enough.
I’m worried about the wage disparity and how it might affect custody decisions in court. I’ve even considered leaving town just to escape the situation, but I know I could never do that. I’m just venting, but any advice would be appreciated. I feel like giving up.