Summer time is a great time for a work-at-home parent. For me it gives me the chance to spend some extra time with my kids. We usually get a chance to go swimming, play basketball, movies and even a day at the lake. But every now and then I get irritated. As many of you know, I have two ex-wives and I am a co-parenting with both of them. This summer is full of disarray and frustration.
Alpha Boy is going to be a high school freshman in the fall. So his summer is full of sports leagues, weight training and video games. He played on a basketball team for first 6 weeks of his summer break. That means he has practice a couple times a week and then there is a game night. He also plays football at his school. He has began his off season weight training program also. That means 5 days a week, he’s in the weight room working out. After 2 hours of weights, he also does agility training. By noon he’s worn out. So this summer I’ve taken a different approach with Alpha Boy. I’ve cut back on my extended summer visitation to the weekends. I can deal with limited visits for now. We are planning a couple fun weekends out of town before school starts.
The major part of my frustration is dealing with Dirt Bike Boy. Since he’s in middle school, he doesn’t have a schedule conflict. Well, he shouldn’t. I normally call him ever few days, but last night I found out Dirt Bike Boy is out of town. Actually he’s out of the state at a church summer camp. I realize Oklahoma is only a short 90 minute drive from the Dallas area, but I’m pissed. I’m pissed that his mother didn’t inform me ahead of time. I mad that I don’t have any information on where he is at for 5 days. And I’m mad about a few other things I can’t put into words, but I’ll just classify it as mad.
It’s possible that I would want to call him on a daily basis just to check on him. It’s possible that I would drive up for a visit one day. It’s possible that I would like to know who he’s with. I consider camp to be similar to him going over a friend’s house. I don’t have to be there 100% of the time, but I’d like to know the where and who.
Normally I’m a calm guy when it comes to dealing with Dirt Bike Boy’s mother, but I’m having to excerise my 1, 2 3. What is my 1,2,3? It’s the number of days I let pass before I decide whether to call my attorney. I might not have any legal ground, but it usually makes me feel better to get a better understanding of my legal rights as a parent.
As you can tell, I’m a bit pissed off. But it won’t last long.
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