LdiJ
Senior Member
Dad owns a restaurant and works nights.I don't understand what the problem is. You wanted Dad to take more time..and he is agreeing to take the child for 50% of the time.
I think it sounds like you both now want the same thing. (?)
As someone who used to own a restaurant I can tell you right now that a 50/50 schedule will NOT work...it would be a disaster for both dad and the child. I know this for a fact because one of my primary reasons for closing my restaurant when I did was because I had no time for my child. I tried taking her to work with me and the only time it worked was on the weekends when we were busy enough that I could actually put her to work (she was 11-13, and yes, it was legal to put her to work...she plated and decorated a mean dessert...LOL, and was a darned good pinch hitter as a busperson...and was an altogether charming hostess).
The fact that dad owns a restaurant and works nights may also be the very reason why dad refuses to budge on that 20 minutes. Meeting a 5:10 would be bad enough...meeting at 5:30 could be a disaster for dad.
These two parents need to figure out a timeshare and a daycare situation that actually makes sense for the child based on their respective work situations. If mom works 8-5 and dad owns a restaurant that isn't going to necessarily be easy, but it can be done.
That does mean however that dad is going to end up with the short stick when it comes to overnights...but I am telling you with all honesty, its reality. I have been there, done that, and it will NOT work. Had my ex been available to take primary custody when I had my restaurant I would have let him have it...for our daughter's sake.
Owning a restaurant is a 80 hour a week job...it really is. Owning a restaurant is living the restaurant.