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[quote=Anonymous]STBXH and I separated a little more than a year ago.  The first 10 mo we had a roughly 50/50 split on child custody.  But then a few months ago, the Ex had a mental breakdown requiring intensive in and out-patient therapy.  (The breakdown was a result of his deciding to stop taking his medication so my sympathy for him is not very high.)  Initially, when he got out of the program he was interested in seeing the kids and I was fine with allowing him limited contact.  That lasted about 2 weeks; then he began to be unresponsive and didn't get in contact unless I instigated it.  This has now been going on for a month or so where I don't hear from him for a couple of weeks.  I then call and only then does he seem interested in seeing the kids.  I should say that I am not requiring him to call -- email or text would be fine -- and I don't ask him 20 questions.  All I want to know is when does he want to see the kids.  I have also made it clear that as he gets his life back in order, I have no problem going back to a more even custody arrangement.

The kids are not taking this terribly well.  They do OK for a week or so after he visits, but then the "I want to see Daddy" refrains begin.  I have not told the kids exactly what is going on as they are too young to really understand (6 & 4).  I don't completely know what to say to them.  I typically say something like Daddy has business to take care of.

So I have 2 questions.  How much do I push on the Ex?  And what do I say to my children?[/quote]

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