Labor Day Rant

The title of my blog includes the word, Rant, but I have yet to do one. I found my rant over the weekend, not that I sought it out. I try to be polite and civil to my ex wife, even when I truly just want to do the complete opposite. Per our custody agreement, I was supposed to have my son on Labor Day and she would be expected to pick him up at 8pm. She calls on Sunday stating that she wants to pick him up early. I remind her that she need not worry about it because she's not supposed to pick him up until Monday, so it's not a problem. She then says she has made plans for him on Sunday, to which I tell her that it's not my job to remind her of the visitation order, and she should make other plans, as I will not give up the few hours I do get to spend with him. She then starts ranting that we should try to work together on holidays and I should concede this one. Yes, this is the same woman that hid him from me on my wedding day and also refused to bring him to my graduation, despite my obtaining tickets for them both at her request. I did offer to let her pick him up at 6pm on Monday if she wanted to, as a goodwill gesture, to which I am responded to with cursing and yelling, so I hang up. I do not hear from her again until Monday at 5:50pm, at which she calls and with a very nasty and rude tone of voice says she's on her way to pick him up. I remind her that pickup is not until 8pm. She begins yelling and screaming that I offered to allow her to pick him up at 6pm, and I reminded her that she never actually accepted the offer, but began cursing at me instead. I tell her that he's not ready to go yet, but that I will have him start getting ready and send him out when he is.

I just don't get it. Men get a bad rap for not being there for their kids after divorce or out of wedlock situations, but there have been times that I can see how many would find it much easier to do so than to deal with uncooperative mothers. I spent the last 2+ years fighting for my rights as a father and want nothing more than to see my son grow into a strong, confident, and happy adult, but I fear that he's been thrown to the wolves out of spite. I wish some people could just grow up and put the important things, namely our son, first. In the end, I gave in to avoid having a fight in front of him, but most likely, all I've done is given her a payoff for her bad behavior. I just hope someday, he'll see the truth in all the lies he's been told and make good decisions for himself.