From Canada. Here's the breakdown. One child 4 years old and not in school yet. Primary custody is with the mother. Court mediated parenting agreement schedule is I get my child every day of the week after work and return at bedtime minus one day during the week. The weekend I get one overnight.

I need some ways of dealing with her productively. She is the type where the world pretty much revolves around her. I always have to do my best to keep control over things in order to keep her from manipulating a situation in her favor. From experience of trial and error, I've gained some insight on what to say and what not to say.

My situation as it stands compared to others I've read about is a bit against the common problems between co-parents.

So she had requested a change to the schedule . She wanted me to do an overnight during the week. We tried it out and it doesn't work. The other day during the week just before returning my child for bed, she texts me asking if I could take him for the night. I wasn't in agreement with the request, but of course as she has done before in the past, no ones home when I get to her place. Consequently I had to take the next day off from work. In an act of spite I took the weekend off from parenting.

I love spending time with my child, but I don't get enough time to myself. I work full time and my ex is unemployed and will probably try to remain that way. I want her to become more self sufficient. We were together for 6 years, so she is entitled to spousal support for half of that time. After that, all she gets is child support. I'm concerned she will make erational decisions once things truly get tight for her. I will be fine because I have a job and am good with money. She's never had to be financially responsible in her life. Some will say let her fail, but her success is my success. There's a ripple effect.