IT WORKED!!! IT WORKED!!!

[stsrob]

I am very happy today!

I went to mediation today.And with all the studying and research plus all the help from HADENOUGH40.My ex agreed to split custody,so i get all the times and contact that i was seeking.

I had a calender highlighted in different colors for her days and my days.And i Had multiple copies of everything.And i had our sons school calender plus his teacher itinerary,plus everything else i could get my hands on.

It all was not peaches and cream, She was bringing up stuff that had nothing to do with custody.Then she was saying that i only wanted a 50/50 split was so i did not have pay for child support! I remained calm,talked softly.And that worked for me with the mediator.The mediator helped me get more then EOW until the she draws up the "parenting agreement".

Everything is not over yet.My EX has not signed anything yet.And i hope she still agrees when we come back in two weeks.But i feel i have won a small victory!

Thank you to every one that has helped....

And this website for putting information out there....

And BIG Thanks to Hadenough40 "My coach"!

[hadenough40]

OMG!!!!  That is truly fantastic!!!

Listen, I may have given some coaching, but did I ever mention getting a calendar or getting holiday info from school or the itinerary?  While reading your post I was just saying over and over...BRILLIANT, BRILLIANT...

The information you gathered might sound silly and simple but I guarantee the mediator took notice in a MAJOR way....

A DAD that actually knows what goes on in his child's life?!?

So you got 50/50 Joint Legal and Physical Custody thus far?  Or did you get Joint Legal with a Parenting Plan that pleases you greatly?

Congrats again...I'll be back later tonight to celebrate. 

Now that you used this forum to your advantage, can I ask a favor of you that may benefit other dads?

Could you start a thread in the general information section listing from beginning to end, what you did to prepare for this?

Your original thread is there, but since you last posted, you definitely put in much more work.  Even though online links may be different for different states, let the men know where you looked for information, let them know exactly what you put together and how...if you can provide some templates even, that would be great...

Information is what most of these Dad's need.  The next dad looking for how to handle mediation will appreciate your efforts greatly.

[stsrob]

Hadenough,

I will do that.And i got 50/50 split of physical and legal custody.

I try to gather up everything i did for the entire month leading up to this day. Allot of it was boring and tedious,but i am so glad i did everything i did. 

[Clayton P]

Please post what you did!

I am getting ready to do the same thing and your help would be priceless--

Congrats-- It is good to see someone who worked hard and put the time in get what he strived for--It gives me hope!

[stsrob]

clayton,

Thanks...I am gathering everything up that i studied.And will be posting my process a little latter.

[hadenough40]

Hey Clayton...I sent you a message a little while ago...just wanted to let you know. 

Just so happens that I'm in the midst of another "off" week (only a couple days this time, but "off" just the same)...LOL...

sts can probably attest that "off" weeks for me are a good thing...LOL

[stsrob]

Clayton,

I think one of the reasons i was successful was due to hadenough40"off weeks" it was some of the best advise i have gotten.And knowing what i know now i think i would have paid for her to have the off days she had just for those reasons! lol.

[Clayton P]

Had,

I will try to get ahold of you tonight -- How is the best way to do that?

[stsrob]

Clayton,

PM or Email has allways worked for me. And she has always replied ASAP.And if i can help you with anything feel free to PM me.I am a newbie to this but i will give you anything i have used.

[Brandy Fee]

CONGRATULATIONS!  It is no small victory - and besides, don't small victories add up?  It's a wonderful thing - I wish that we could do the same, eventually, I would imagine that we will try, but I don't think mediation will work for us.  Worth a try though!  Thank you for sharing your victory with us!

[hadenough40]

Just so you know, I can definitely help with prepping people for mediation.

If you think mediation would be good for you but you'd like to be sure your prepared, PM me or send an e-mail to ncpunite@yahoo.com

I'd be happy to help anyone that is willing to help themselves (and work for what they want).

[Igali]

I would like to know what all you did too. My parents and I want custody of my soon to be 1 yr old daughter.

[stsrob]

I got all my notes together,But to be honest i was waiting till the 27TH to post what i went thru.

I want to make sure she signs the "parenting agreement".And i think EX will try some of her tricks and stunts before EX signs anything.So i am prepairing for round two.

I told Hadenough40 that EX was to passive during the first meeting(Maybe shocked on how prepaired i was)So i am sure she will come back at me on the 27TH.I will keep everone up to date.And if she signs i will post ASAP.

[MsDuck]

  Wonderful news. Congrats!! It's so refreshing to see other men like my hubby, loving fathers who wants their rights protected!! Kudos to you all!!