Contempt?

[wileybunch]

The ex-wife said, "I appreciate the offer, but no, I don't want her to come. I've already sold the furniture out of her room and turned it into an office, so I don't have room for her anyways."

That is just awful. I can't even think of how that tears apart a child's ego.

You know, I would pursue a stipulation for the simple fact that it allows Mom more time to really think about what she's doing, to see it in black and white, etc. And, then of course it's totally clean, covering the legal bases. What bothers me most is what this does to your DD and what it doesn't do -- which is teach her how to work through tough relationship issues, something that she could well benefit from for her own friend and romantic relationships throughout her life.

 

[stealth2]

Just as an aside - you and your wife are sending mixed signals to the ex. One day, wife tells ex she needs to talk to you as she doesn't want to be in the middle of the situation. Then another day she is right there, in the middle of the situation (suggesting a shorter visit).

 

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

While we are it with the stipulation, seems to me that mom needs to cough up more than the $300/month if you will have NO time away from Punkin. The tactic isn't really for the money for you, but to maybe wake up mom. I had a tough relationship with the older daughter, but didn't let her off the hook to not visit at all. Now, we converse at least 5 times a week - and sometimes that many times a day. Things change if you do not slam doors shut.