Q: Kids clothes during fathers time share
In January father asked for more time with our son. First it was all weekends (Friday to Sunday) then later he progressed to asked for one week on and one week off. It’s been like that for a little over a month him wanting to do 50/50. I recently asked him to buy him clothes for when he has him so our son isn’t traveling with a duffel bag each time we exchange. Father continues to ignore my request but still insists in having him 50/50. I don’t mind him having him and spending more time but the whole clothes is becoming an issue. Am I being unreasonable for asking him
A:
Under California law, both parents are generally expected to provide for their child's needs, which include clothing, when the child is in their care. It is not unreasonable for you to request that the father have an appropriate set of clothes for your son at his home to reduce the inconvenience of moving items back and forth. This can be part of providing a stable and comfortable environment for your son during his stays.
If the father is seeking 50/50 custody, it implies an equal sharing of parental responsibilities, including the financial aspects of raising your child. This should ideally extend to having clothing and other necessities available for your son in both homes. Communication and cooperation between both parents are key in co-parenting situations. It might be beneficial to discuss this matter calmly, explaining the benefits for your son in having essentials at both homes.
If an agreement cannot be reached directly, mediation might be a helpful step before considering legal avenues. In family law courts, judges often encourage parents to work out these types of details among themselves. However, if necessary, you can bring this issue up during custody discussions in court, where a judge can make orders regarding the division of child-rearing responsibilities, including the provision of clothing and other necessities.
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