new to single parenting

[roo71]

hi
i have 2 kids (aged 8 and 5) and am about to start living separately from their dad. I will have the kids most the time with them going to their dads every second weekend and one night a week.

I have no idea how to co-ordinate the little things that come up with them living in 2 houses, you know, like school stuff, favourite teddies to sleep with, what difficulties arise, how to get around them etc. I dont want to have to have 2 of everything at each house - so was hoping someone could share their experience with me to make it a little simpler?
thanks in advance
Roo.

[rhyb]

Hi Im Rhiannon single mummy to Aiden (16 months) and pregnant with triplets. Obviously my guys too little to have school issues and we dont have shared care as his father lives in NSW, just wanted to welcome you to the single parenting section

[roo71]

rhyb you will be very busy wont you, congrats on triplets!

mum 1984 thanks, yes i would imagine when they are little it is just easier to have separate sets of everything.

thanks for the welcome guys, appreciate it.

[mrsmac]

I know there are some kids at school who do this and TBH they seem to always be missing hats/shoes/homework! I kno sometimes with kids I have taught the homework thing is just an excuse but I think for this to work you need to be super organised.
My girlfriend does this sort of shared arrangement with her XH and she has ended up leaving sets of clothes etc at his house and having others at hers, her XH also won't do any washing for the boys so she gets all the dirty washing brought home too!! She has to remind the boys to bring all the gear they need home with them from their dad's.

[Butterfly Child]

Welcome to BB hun, My names Em my little ones only 7months so i havent really got any advise but i just wanted to say Welcome to the single mummys section
xx goodluck hunny it may be hard at times but the positives outweigh the negatives by along shot

[Claire_A]

Hi Roo, welcome to BB. We have my DHs kids two days a week and one weekend a month. The kids bring their school uniforms with them and any casual clothes they wear on weekends too. We just keep the basics here like undies, pjs, socks, brushes etc. They have their own toys here too. We found when we bought (casual) clothes for them to leave here that they grew out of them before they really got a chance to wear them, so now they just bring clothes from home.

HTH!

[Amity]

My children (6 and 4) go to XH's each alternate weekend from Friday to Sunday, and one evening a week for dinner. BEcause he doesn't take them to school, we don't have the school issues.

However, as he collects them from school on Fridays, I put out a bag on my porch each Friday with DS1's basketball uniform and a spare set of clothes, and XH is supposed to return his school uniform and basketball uniform each Sunday.

I do have issues with XH "forgetting" to return bags/lunchboxes etc, so I do find I have to remind him regularly. Unfortunately we work in the same building so he leaves the bags in my office. Very professional

There are many other underlying issues in our case, but this arrangement appears to be the best for the children according to the Family Court!