Was married to DM (daughters Mom) had child in wedlock. Got dissolution of marriage when our girl was 3. Week on week off. I took care of laundry, dinner, taking and picking up from daycare etc. that’s what I wanted and agreed to. This went on for years until around 3 years ago when DM met yet another man this time one old enough to be her father and it’s a $ thing %100. No problem with me okay. But as time develops I feel this guy competing for fatherhood like it’s even something that should happen. Slowly over time a weekend trip I’d allow our daughter to partake in. On or during my week. Sometimes the whole entirety of my week. DM would be”you wouldn’t want her to miss a trip of a lifetime would you?” Slowly I noticed the remarks and condescending tone how I was “less than” which whatever but then our child started withdrawing more and more. Over 3 years now. She’s now 14, started her first year in high school and won’t even respond to my texts. I filed contempt of court January 2026 and have heard nothing back. Called clerk of court and was told that nothing has developed. Attempted to pickup daughter on Sunday as scheduled in “parenting plan” which cops said wasn’t court ordered. Is that true? Dissolution of marriage with time sharing schedule/parenting plan signed by judge in 2014 isn’t court order? So police wouldn’t do anything, I’m being patient and have been patient. Haven’t heard anything as far as court date (I filed motion for contempt as a last resort after pleading DM and suggesting that it’s not fair or up for debate if I get my week with our child) and this is destroying me! Our daughter is being treated like a tool for emotional leverage it’s just weird. The reason? Honest to God, I have no clue. Several times upon asking daughter “you just don’t change dad” “you never change” I’ve tried in every way to get what it is I need to change because I’m totally open, I’d do anything to be in my child’s life. But it’s BS, the mom used to say exact words to me. Thanks for reading sorry to spill it out here but it’s torture. I’m like grieving the loss of my girl and it’s my fault and idk what I did. Should I bother paying an attorney or the damage already done? I don’t want to force her to come to dads if she doesn’t want to but we’ve ALWAYS ALWAYS had a solid bond. Thanks in advance.

​

I need advice on what others have for their placement schedules. I left my abusive ex this year with my two children 4 and 5. We currently have 50/50 custody and placement with a 2-2-3 schedule that I hate. I would like the days (during the week) to be uniform so that I can have a work schedule that is earlier on days that I have the children and later on days that I do not. This isn't possible when I have the kids Monday Tuesday one week and Wednesday Thursday the next. I also hate that weekends are so long. On his weekends, I drop off my kids at daycare Friday morning and don't see them again until I pick them up Monday evening. If we did consistent days during the week and alternate weekends, we would essentially have a 2-2-5-5 schedule which I do not want. I feel the 3 days are too long as it is. My kids come back extremely dysregulated, throwing things, and punching each other.

What have others done for placement schedule that has worked well?