I have 3 children.My ex says that our 14 year old (middle child) doesnt have to come for visitation, that she cannot MAKE her come. Now what? She doesnt want to come because she wants to hang out with her friends. BUT its court ordered that I get them for 4 weeks every summer. Last year, she didnt come for visitation because she was doing a class at the hospital where they live. I understood that so I didnt force the issue. Last year, only my son came. I realize that I could get my ex for contempt but realistically...I CANT! My oldest daughter was severely alienated from me and I TRIED to get my ex for contempt because my oldest was never MADE to come for visitation. They basically told me tough, she is old enough to decide for herself.
Also, last year the Family Relations Officer (at the court) said that would be the last year I would have to provide ALL the transportation. My ex is asking me WHEN I am planning on picking up and dropping off our son. So obviously she is not planning on 50/50. Any suggestions on what I need to do to get this taken care of...its been going on like this for almost 5 years now with me always getting stuck with the transportation because I want to see my kids. If I tell her that she needs to meet halfway or make one of the trips, then I wont get to see them. And I cannot afford to keep making this 14 hour trip every time. To clarify one thing, we were both living in Boston when we separated. A few months later, she took my kids and moved in with another man (because she was pregnant by him) and they moved to CT. My kids didnt even know this man. A few months after that, I moved to NC. She moved away first and took my kids away from me. So in my opinion, she SHOULD be responsible for half the transportation. I rarely see my kids at all and if she would help out some, I could see them a lot more. Any suggestions on what I can do?