Do I Have Any Chance of Making Things Right

My question involves child support in the State of: Ohio

Hello, I am a father of 3 adorable girls. ages 12, 10 and 8. They live with their mother in Ohio and I live in Michigan. I recently moved here because I couldn't find work in my career field in southeastern Ohio. Before moving 3 months ago, we did have shared parenting and I even had the girls more than my scheduled times. Never once did I give up any parenting time with the girls before I left. I was offered a position that would excel my career and i was completely depressed that I couldn't find work in my field after 3 years back home. So after talking to me mother a dozen times, I made the leap and I knew it was going to be hard, but didn't think this hard. I miss those girls. It was bearable seeing them every other weekend and talking every night on the phone, but now the child support has forced me to eat up my savings and with these soaring gas prices, i can't afford to make the 350 trip each way every other weekend. To top it off, there's no way i can afford a babysitter for the summer visitation. I have no time for dating and it's not date I'm going to find someone to watch my kids while I go to work, my morals won't allow me to do something that deceitful.

Some extra background to my story is she and I were together from well into high school, had our family then she started seeing other people. I was blindsided by it. It's in the past and that doesn't bother me. It's the fact that I did my part, I was there every single night, got the kids off the bus, fed them, bathed them and tucked them in. Hell, she was even driving passed this other guys work with the girls in the car. The girls and I are so close. Those are my babies too. I honestly would give my life to save any of them. I know she wouldn't and there's actually an incident that proves that fact but not going there. I have tattoos and wild hair, so does she. I'm 6'3 and a big guy and she is small. I feel like the way her attorney tried to make me out to be a big mean man worked. At first glance, I look scary, i know. But I'm not. I have a huge heart and I have dreams so I feel stuck.

Since I've moved, the younger 2 were having trouble with school work. The problem existed while I was there with them but I worked with them and they were improving, showing interest in learning. In the past 3 months, they got remarks of not doing work, and being un-organized. Their mother decided to hold them back and talked to them explaining to them it was ok and that they could still see their friends at lunch or after school. I found out she had this talk with them 2 months before school was out so to me, its like she set them up to think its ok to fail or give up, try again next year. to me you should rally them and put every effort to get them caught up. It's not completely their fault, I just feel they were misinformed of the importance of trying hard and asking questions when your stuck. I was an instructor at a college back there. I don't believe there are stupid questions. Being a father is the most important thing to me. I have gave up a lot for them. They hated seeing me down and unhappy when I was out of work. I felt like a failure to them, like I wasn't inspiring them to do what they loved, see the world. Moving here was part for me as it was for them but its killing me. I'm now depressed for a different reason and just want to be happy and still be the father, parent they deserve.

What can I do to be able to afford to see my babies more? Can I justify having my support adjusted to allow me to see them more? What chances do I have of getting custody? Is there any hope of following ones dreams and raising his kids at the same time? Do I quit my job, move back and wait for something to open up in that area?

If the kids weren't actually making the grade - for whatever reason - it only made sense to hold them back. I assure you this was not Mom's sole decision.

It's actually better than letting them progress to the next grade if they're not read to do the workload. I realize this is a common thread in this culture, but there does come a point where it's NOT okay to say "Oh, well it doesn't matter, go onto the next grade anyway even though you can't do the work".

THAT would be setting them up for failure.

No, you will not get your CS adjusted so you can see the kids more often.

I see no change of circumstance that would justify a modification of custody.

What can I do to be able to afford to see my babies more?

Get a second job and a fuel efficient car.

Can I justify having my support adjusted to allow me to see them more?

Not a chance


What chances do I have of getting custody?

None under the conditions you explained.

Is there any hope of following ones dreams and raising his kids at the same time?

That is why most people make a choice between having children or their chosen career.

Do I quit my job, move back and wait for something to open up in that area?

Why don't you keep the job and apply for jobs back there.