Q: My ex is constantly late when dropping off the kids at their time. I have asked before to call or text if running late.
Is there anything I can do other than document each incident?
A: OK, look. I know it seems like a big deal to you. I know it's annoying. I know it probably looks like this guy is bringing the kids back late just get under your skin. But this is not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Plus, you can burn up a whole bunch of legal fees fighting about it. The courts aren't going to fine him or put him in jail or cut off visitation just because he's an inconsiderate jerk. You need to figure ways to reward him when he gets back on time. You know...conditioned response. For example...Make the exchange of the kids more pleasant. If he's like me he wants to avoid conflict. So if the exchange of the kids is contentious it's actually MORE likely that he'll bring them back late because he's postponing the inevitable argument. So don't complain about his being late. Ask him if they had a good time. Talk to him about how the kids are doing in school. Etc. Now this is just an example...I don't know anything about you and your ex. But I know that complaining about something small like this is going to be totally unproductive--it will make you mad at him and it won't change his behavior.
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