I've got my son (9) every other weekend and one evening in the week. I'm aware I've slipped into being Disney Dad. McDonald's, the trampoline park, late nights, screen time. His mum does homework, bedtimes, dentist, all the boring bits.
I don't want her to be the bad cop. But I also only have him four nights a month and I want those nights to be good. How do other part-time dads balance it?
It took me a while to get this. Kids actually like normal stuff with you. My daughter's favourite thing at mine is cooking spag bol together and doing her reading book on the sofa. Not the trampoline park.
Do some of the boring bits. It tells him your house is a home, not a holiday.
Stepdad here, from the other side. When my stepson's dad started doing homework with him at weekends it massively helped things in our house too. Less 'but dad lets me'. Worth thinking about how it lands at mum's.
Same bedtime at both houses is a gift to everyone. Tell his mum you want to keep things consistent and ask what she does. She'll probably be relieved.
That's all really useful. Spag bol and reading it is. And Steve you're right, I've never actually asked her what the bedtime routine is. Going to message her tonight.
One fun thing per weekend, rest normal life. That's my rule. Works well.
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