Parenting Plan

[divorcebound]

What is the name of your state?TN

In my parenting plan, it states that in the event of hospitalization, severe illness or death I am to notify my X within 24 hours. My two year old fell at daycare and when I got home she would not move her arm and complained "it hurts". She would not even hold her juice cup to drink from it. The Doctor's office was closed and I ran her through the emergency. Nothing was wrong with her arm. They said it may have been bruised from falling. Once we got home later on that night she started moving it and seemed to be fine. He is responsible for half the medical bills. My question is, Can he leagally do anything because I did not notify him? She was not hospitalized and it turned out that her arm was ok. I am thinking of ER as hospitalization but I have asked other people and they said that it is not hospitalization and he can't say anything to me for not informing him. What is your opinion?

 

[nextwife]

Turned out she was fine, but what if there had been an issue that required the parents there? How would you have felt if he had taken the child to the emergancy room for something and he never called you to meet him there? Daddy should have the same opportunity to be there to comfort his child, and for the child to see that daddy wants to be there for her that you get. You denied him that right.

 

[blazers88]

I doubt it would qualify as a hospital visit but if my daughter was in the ER with a possible broken arm, I would sure like a call!

 

[divorcebound]

I agree with Both responses and respect both responses. However, My X is not that type of father. My son did fracture his arm and I notified him immediately. He never showed up at the doctors to see how he was doing nor did he call to speak to him to see if he was ok. He returned my call the next day to find out what happened and ended up not taking his children for his weekend because my son had a fractured arm and he thought it would be best for him to be home. Had my daughter's arm been broken or fractured, I would have made a phone call to inform him.

 

[haiku]

well whether hes that "type" of dad or not, and there can be a myriad of reasons why....you can still sleep better knowing YOU always do what is right and fair.

 

[adonahee]

Absolutely, Haiku...

Also think of it if the situation was reversed. How upset would you be if he did not notify you? No reason he could think of would make you any less upset, I'm guessing. It's just a courtesy call - Let him decide if it warrants the trip to the ER. Don't make the choice for him.

 

[WyattJ]

I have to agree, just notify him while waiting for the doctor (most ER's have phones in the room now) or notify him as soon as getting home. You don't have to waste your time away from your child to continue to call but at least you call. Most days people have caller ID or answering machines.

I used to have the stipulation in my joint parenting agreement but now I have sole custody and every stipulation we have are gone including contacting him for emergencies. I thought to myself even though we don't have that stipulation I will still contact him to let him know of anything because morally it is right, I would hope the father will see I'm still willing to work with him and he will call me when the roles are reversed.