We live in Indiana and I know that the visitation guidelines state that the child should be with that parent on his/her birthday. If the non custodial parent's birthday falls on Wednesday, which is the weekday that they receive their normal four hour weekly visits, then is that non custodial parent entitled to another day later in the week? My stepson's mother is trying to say that she gets him tomorrow, her birthday, and again on Sunday.

The Mother should be able to see her child on her birthday and on her scheduled visitation day. This is my opinion. Why is there a problem with this. Many kids go and see their non custodial parent during the week and every other weekend. This child is very lucky that its Mom loves her that much. I am sure since you do so much of the day to day things that it seems like you are the real parent. I understand that. You are doing the right thing to keep the lines open with their Mom. You will be blessed for all you do and trying hard to keep their Mom involved in their life.

I think this is something that you all should be able to work out amicably and make some allocation for. Also, usually, the parents are about celebrating the kids' birthdays and not vice versa. Sounds like someone who just tries to make things miserable for no good reason.

First of all...she had her weekend visitation this past weekend. This coming weekend is my husband's weekend. At one time, we did set things up so that she had him all day on Sunday, every week no matter what, but since her stunt of taking the child in June, we are sticking strictly to the guidelines. She has quoted the parenting time guidelines multiple times in arguing with my husband. She is also refusing to pay any child support at this time. Before her stunt in June, my husband and I were very easy going when it came to her visitation time. Our goal was not to keep the child from his mother but provide him with a safe and nurturing environment. By her taking him for visitation and then refusing to bring him back in turn forcing us to get a lawyer involved and go to court, she brought the situation to where it is today. Something that you all must know is that the woman is not making ANYTHING easy on any of us. We are now going to court but that is not until November 14th. We have a while before a judge is going to straighten things out for us. She has yet to get her own attorney but continues to threaten my husband and tell him she is taking full custody of the child. Another thing, until she pulled her stunt last month, she never exercised any of these guidelines. In fact, last year she did not want him on her birthday because she was going out to the bar with friends. At this point in time, it is about her throwing around what authority she does have because she is the biological mother.

I didn't realize this post and a previous one were connected. It does sound like she is trying to make things hard. I am glad this child has you.

Thank you for the words of support.