Can you help me with some wording?

[I cry_ in_the_dark]

Or any advice you have...

For the last year and a half, I have been at the beck and call of my X and my kids. "Pick us up early"..."Gotta be here, gotta be there"...Pick them up from school functions even tho they are with dad, (the CP) cuz dad says..."you gotta share the driving"(Never mind the fact I do ALL the driving!). Last minute notification, change my plans, etc. etc. etc.

I was asked last night at work, if I would make a 3 hour trip to another facility to train new people, for 2 weeks Tuesday thru Saturday. While it is not mandatory that I do this, it is something I really want to do, and will benefit me down the road.

Next week, it would mean that I miss my Tuesday, Thursday, and Weekend visitation, tho I would be home Sunday which they would be with me till 8PM and I could get them.  The following week I would miss only my Wednesday visitation.

As I'd be home on both Mondays, I'd like to ask for them on those Monday evenings even tho it is not my normal visitation time. While I really don't expect my X to co-operate, I still very much want to go.

Legally, I can record conversations as he has received written notice via certified letter over a year ago that all conversations would be recorded. I am going to call him, and I intend to go, whether he likes it or not. This would be the first time I have ever missed my visitations. I'd also like to "cover my butt" so that he can't say that I'm neglecting my kids,  or whatever it is he chooses to say.

1.  Can you suggest how I word what I want to do...and be tactful? (You always chastise me for my sarcasm, and I am sarcastic, and I respect that you tell me so.)

Thanks so much!

[socrateaser]

>1.  Can you suggest how I word what I want to do...and be
>tactful? (You always chastise me for my sarcasm, and I am
>sarcastic, and I respect that you tell me so.)

Q: Are your X's or the children's prior plans, negatively affected by your going out of town for a few days?

[I cry_ in_the_dark]

I know of absolutely no plans for any of these days. But, I'm expecting "SOMETHING" to have been planned, simply because, been there, done that.  

[socrateaser]

>I know of absolutely no plans for any of these days. But, I'm
>expecting "SOMETHING" to have been planned, simply because,
>been there, done that.  

Then I'd just say something like, "I have an opportunity next week to get some positive visibility with my employer by conducting some training at the company's plant in LOCATION. Would my skipping visitation tuesday through thursday cause you or the kids any difficulty?"

Then see what he says. If he says, yes, then you'll have to decide how to respond based on the problem presented you. Hard for me to predict how to answer more precisely, because I don't know enough about the possible responses (i.e., the "civil" responses, that is).

[I cry_ in_the_dark]

I'm not sure what you mean by, "I don't know enough about the possible responses (i.e., the "civil" responses, that is)."
But that's ok.

My daughter is here, and she's very excited for me to go. Nor is she aware of any "plans". I guess we'll just see what happens.

Thanks!  ;-)

[socrateaser]

>I'm not sure what you mean by, "I don't know enough about the
>possible responses (i.e., the "civil" responses, that is)."
>But that's ok.
>
>My daughter is here, and she's very excited for me to go. Nor
>is she aware of any "plans". I guess we'll just see what
>happens.
>
>Thanks!  ;-)
>

I meant the possible non-civil responses, ex: "You ho! You miss one day of visitation and I'll have you fed to the alligators, breasts first!"

[I cry_ in_the_dark]

I guess there  will be some pretty hungry alligators, LOL  ;-)

Surprisingly, it went amazingly well. But then, he had favors to ask for the month of June. So, maybe he does know the meaning of the word "compromise". Hmmmmm, I won't hold my breath,  ;-)