Meg, I agree with Bec... We take it in turns of who takes Maddy to basketball, or we all go together!
When DH has RDO's he does everything for Maddy getting her up for sachool, packing her lunch, taking her to school, picking her up & chilling out with her after school...

He is also not her Bio father, but she adores him, as he does her...
Initially she was embarassed about him taking her to & from school, but now she likes it & is happy with it.
I guess she was embarassed coz he is not Australian, is different to most of the other kids Dads, is covered in tattoo's has long hair, is dark skinned & asian...

Is there maybe something Tim & Matilda can do once a week after school together, like going for a bike ride, going to the park, swimming lessons, netball, anything they can do as their thing?
Maddy looks forward to Basketball & has marked down next to future games M or D, for Mum or Dad whos taking her!!!

She has also got some attitude but its' more just 8yr old trying to push boundaries... We always back the other up if we tell her off & hse knows not to push either of us...

Often the 2 of them are snuggled on the couch watching TV & it makes me happy...
Good Luck.....