I would be lost without my laptop, could never go on Big Brother or Celebrity Jungle (couldn't anyway!!! 
) Your daughter will be wondering what is going on with Facebook and the like, they love it don't they?
Hi
Yes she is not to bad about facebook as she has a i pod touch so can stay in touch that way its msn and the camera she misses as she chats to her best m8 on it ( thing is she only lives round the corner so now they have to walk round to each others house omg what a drama lol.
...ah but you know what teen girls are like, I can remember being with my best friend all day at school and still had to chat to her all evening on the phone when I was that age 
Hahahahaha yes they are like glued at the hip them two i am taking her best m8 with us on Saturday to the concert to.
The boys are going to there mums for one week of the holidays lets hope they stay there this time as the past two holiday there mum has dumbed them back home early when there ill and last time they werent ill and were told to say they wanted to come back.
Stuart
Yes I remember that. I hope that their visit is Ok this time.
The girls are going to lurve you taking them to the concert. Do they see you as the cool dad?!
I hope the boys have fun, has your daughter decided not to go?
Hi Anna
Lol the concert was great and the girls loved it so did i.
As a dad i do my best i act like a big kid and love children, i sort all the sensible reality out like bills and housework then i am just the easy going helpful guy i am.
My problem is i am to nice and gentle for my own good and have lost that belief that people can be honest and loyal like i am, just very weary of people taking advantage so i have built up walls, i know i have i admit it.
Well as a cool dad yes i love to look smart and got to be trendy or my kids wount walk around with me hahaha lol.
Stuart
Hi Stuart
Glad it went so well. If you are a cool dad then this is a good smiley for you 
When are the boys going away?
Hi louise
The boys went Saturday and daughter has gone today her nan and grandad took her half way and mum meet her there.
I have no problems with the children spending quality time at mums its only fair even if we will never see eye to eye.
As for me its rest time get to watch the man utd game in peace and have a beer and hog the remote.
Things with the g/f are going well i have meet her son who is 4, the day went well hes taken to me and is happy. Its done in small alotted times i have meet him three times.
The next step is her and her son meeting my three which should be happening this coming sunday.
As we both have anoying exs and different work pattens the time spent together is limited, but quality.
Stuart
That all sounds really good and I think you are very sensible in taking things one step at a time. Hope that the children's visit to their Mum's works out better this time.
Enjoy your footy and glass of beer (nice to get some adult time!)
Hi louise
Yes taking time is by far the best way as a devorced man and having kept every thing i worked for i know in reality and the cold light of day i was very very lucky.
The whole process hurt not just me but my children, has changed my views in so many ways dont think i will ever live with anyone again in a long time to independent.
Stuart xxx
Maybe in time you will. I have seen lots of people who swore they would never marry/co-habit again, meet a new person even after a number of years and end up very happy.
Hey Stuart.
Sounds like things are going really well for you now. nice one keep up the good work.
Hello Wayne
Thankyou m8 its not been easy but things are taking shape slowly thats the key slowly.
Time is really the healer and standing by my morles and values.
Have told work that i am ready now for a new callange and direction in my career and they are willing to train me and keep me within the company and arrage a new callange for me.
Things with g/f are going really well to, we take things day by day and support one another.
And my children are doing far better at school than they every did with two full time parents so alls good.
How are things for you, you been up to anything good.
Stuart
Hello evening all
Just a little rant sorry but its got to be said.
Children come home from mums last saturday and one son had had a new game bought but was not allowed to bring it home.
So he asked could he have a copy for home to as he spends more time here that at mums.
Once his mum found out she refused to talk to him and has now sold the x-box at her house and today was on the phone calling her son a spoilt brat and a geek couse he plays on it with his friends, and he should not play it at her house cause hes there to see her ( sorry love hes there cause you left him behind and you want to see him not the other way round ) i carnt believe how some people treat there so wanted children.
Stuart
How strange, maybe there is more to this than you are hearing but it does sound very childish on the face of it. Maybe you could say that nothing she does will surprise you anymore. I am sure your chldren are thankful that they have a consistent and loving parent like you.
Hi Louise and the gang
Yes louise it is childish as we have now found out she has not even sold the x-box just another lie and emotional blackmail of her children.
There is something not right upstairs with this person how do people act this way they continue to be a constent lier and come up smelling of roses.
The children meet the g/f and her son on saturday we went to a country pub had a few hours in the ball pool and a meal together and it all went swimmingly.
We both waited for the children after to see how they reacted and they all want to do it again so thats another small step.
Stuart
That sounds great about g/f, stuart, it is great that all the children are feeling so positive about getting to know each other
As for the other matter....words fail me!
Really pleased it was such a hit for the children, g/f, and her children. All good then Stuart. xx
Hey stuart, sounds like life is on the up! Lots of positive things happening.
What happened with your ex, who knows, maybe she was trying to have something special for her son, so that he would look forward to visiting her?
It doesn't sound as though you were the one that forced him to have the game at home and you were trying to steal her limelight, that was his choice. Anyway whatever her reasons there is no excuse for her to go on and verbally abuse your boy. I hope he handled it ok and didn't take what she said to heart.
Regarding moving in with someone again, it is very early days yet hey? Although I am wondering if the thought is crossing your mind? Has your g/f mentioned it?
Did you know that 75% of children in the UK will experience life in a non-nuclear family! I was pretty amazed at that statistic!
I wish you many more happy family times all together.
What are your plans for the upcoming long weekend?
Hello anna
Yes the past weekend on thursday night went to the pub my brother works at and have a soft drink as i was driving and played some pool bet loser buys the chinese i won.
Friday was my on a mission day i gutted my house from top to bottom and had a me time evening.
Saturday was spent with the g/f went out for a mexican meal then to the pictures to watch limitless very good film.
Sunday the kids came home and Monday had a BBQ with the children and neighbours.
Yes things are going well its taken lots of time and patients but slowly getting there, thanks to all you lovely people for being there and listen when the chips where down.
Stuart xx
Wow that sounds like an excellent weekend, Stuart, great to know that life nowadays is so much better.
Hopefully things went better with their mum as well?
Hi stuart, it is so lovely when you get to that point where you look around and realise that everything is going to be OK after all!
It really does sound as though you have had a great few days and now you know that there are many more to come.
Are you going to do your Avatar???
Hello Ladies and Grents
Things are better for sure but its still hard work and the scares for the past have changed me still have massive trust issues gonna take a long time to repair that part, thats why its slow slow with g/f comunication is the key.
The children have again made me proud daughter has been accepted in to sixth form, shes just doing here gcse's now and has been awarded the pupil of the year award and the oldest son recieved two awards for attendance and merit, the youngest sons footy team got promotion to the first league and recieved a trophy, got his end of year presentation coming up in june.
So its a busy time dont know where the time goes but its been one hell of a journey lol.
Stuart
Hi stuart
I expect you are bursting with pride, well done to your three wonderful children! all credit to you as well, as the parent who is there for them rain or shine 
Of course the things that have happened to you in the past have changed you, one of the ways you can minimise their effects though is to keep working on your self-esteem and tell yourself your life is much better now and happiness is your expectation.
Hi stuart, congrats from me too!
I think it is good to take things slow with new relationships, too often people jump straight in and plan their future with a new partner, without really knowing the nitty gritty stuff.
My daughter is doing her GCSE's at the moment too, how is your daughter? Is she studiously revising, or is she rebelling against that and feeling confident? I hope that you are ensuring that it is not all work and no play!
Haven't they done well. That's brilliant.
Hello to all
Yes they have done themselves and me very proud they are growing into wonderful well mannered young people
Have just found out that the youngest child is being texted by his mum asking when is dad going out to g/fs where are they taking you things like that. I know she might have concerns but she has had the oppertunity to air here concerns.
Believe me anna getting to know the nitty gritty stuff is what i want to see so then you know what ur getting yourself into if your going to have a long term relationship with this person.
As were both busy parents we only get to see each other twice a week so building the trust is of the upmost for us both, aint got time or the energy for games.
Stuart
Thats brilliant stuart, I bet it actually makes it still exciting to meet up with g/f, rather than it becoming routine or losing its lustre!
That is naughty of mum to be investigating your life via your children. Does your son know how to respond? Have you told him that he doesn't have to answer or how to give a vague answers. It is so not fair that she put him in that position.
Hello All how is every one
Had a bit of sad news yesterday my daughters best friend has pasted away on the way to hospital.She had been poorly for a few days with chest problems and then there was complications poor baby. They did everything together walked to school had sleep overs she was here at mine so often and had been out to concerts and holidays with us feel so helpless for her mum and brother and sister (the sister is only a baby here poor mum what she must be going through)
Stuart
Hi Stuart, I`m so sorry to hear your bad news, how is your daughter coping? All you can do is to offer support to mum as and when she needs it.
Thinking of you all xxx
Hello Tiredmum
Thankyou tired mum its hard to believe i wount be seeing that lovely girl again.
How is life treating you at the moment.
Stuart
Hi Stuart, the death of a child must be the hardest thing any parent could have to face, do hope that time will bring peace to them and to you and your family xxx
I am doing ok thank you, half term so a little boring to be honest, looking good for our business venture though, I have posted a link in the local section at the bottom of the discussion page if you would like to have a read xxx
Yes my three went to there mums today so its all quiet here. Its always a massive change from when there here to when there not very sureal.
Will look at the post and read it.
How long have they gone to their mums for? Do you have plans for the time they are away? I have to say I have never had a night without my children, only my eldest has ever stayed with his dad, usually here I have a houseful of eveyone elses children too ha ha xxx
They have gonna till sunday part of an agreement we have as long as they want to go they go half the holidays in the year.
I still have to work so its just the evening that i have free, thursday i am taking my g/f out for a meal and to see the hang over 2 and saturday spending the day with g/f and her son. The other nights i will have my feet up having a beer and watching tv me thinks.
Yer i know that feeling its like a youth hostel here sometime kids in and out lol.
That sounds like a good plan although my eldest son and daughter went to see hangover 2 last night and were dissapointed, just thought I would let you know in case there was anything else that you wanted to see?
Yes waifs and strays always end up here, some stay for weeks ha ha, have to say I wouldnt have it any other way though.
I do hope your children have as nice a time as possible with their mum, I do know from some of your other posts its not always easy xxx
Well there is pirates of the caribbean to but think we want to watch hangover 2.
Yer time with mum has not always worked out but i stick by the plan and they go i encourge it. Even though she has started to ask for money from me so she can take them out but thats not going to happen.
Hope you enjoy it, might just have been my 2 not really wanting to see it xxx
Oh dont you just love it when they ask for money to take the children out when they have lots of time to save and plan for a visit!!!!!!! Please dont fall soft on that, but good for you for encouraging contact xxx
Chat soon I hope xxx
Hi Stuart
I am sorry sorry to hear about your daughter's friend and am sending lots of positive vibes to your daughter. You might get a bit of a reaction out of her as she thinks about mortality and death and it is just all about being patient, honest and reassuring.
Enjoy the peace and quiet while you have some time to yourself and the quality time with g/f too
I am so very sorry to read about the death of you daughter's best friend. My heart breaks for her.
Thinking of the family and all of you.
What an awful shock for everyone to have to come to terms with.
Hi stuart, I am so sorry to hear about your daughters friend, it must be heartbreaking to see your daughters pain, but also knowing the pain that this childs mum must be going through.
Here are some tips for coping with bereavement by children and young people who have been bereaved. They may be useful for your daughter, but also for you to be able to guide and support her.
I hope you completely indulge yourself during your kidfree week, as usual I am turning slightly green with envy!
Hello there ladies and gents
Just in need of a little rant sorry, has anyone encountered a ex asking for child benefit or child tax when its there turn to have contact with there children, as mine is now refusing to have contact with hers if i dont give her any money. Not that i am bothered if she dont but i do feel for the children as they want to see her but never say anything if she lets them down as we (me and the kids are used to it now)
She only pays the crappy sum of £5 a week csa which pays for the kids x-box live( i know but thats what they wanted to spend it on)
I have spoken to the tax credits and child benefit and they say that as the resident parent i dont have to pay a penny and the abcent parent can not claim.
Reason this has has come about is as my daugher has finished school shes going to her mums for a month before sixth form and her mum will not have her unless she gets paid for it WHAT THE HELL ITS YOUR DAUGHTER !!!!!
Hi stuart
Legally their mum is not entitled to it as you are the parent with care. if she was paying a reasonable amount of CSA then she coul apply to have this reduced in respect of her extended contact with them, but she isn't.
It is hurtful that she wants some money for the month your daughter is proposing to spend with her but obviously i don't know her circumstances, I am guessing she is not working as she only pays you £5 a week, don't know about the new partner though. Although I agree with you that she "should" want to be with her daughter, is it at all possible that it would be hard for her to feed an extra person for a month? Just ttrying to see both sides of it here.....
By the way on past experience, if you do give her any money I would do it in dribs and drabs....imagine agreeing to hand over a month's Child Benefit and then she does her usual trick of sending your daughter home after a few days?
Hi Stuart, yes I have been on the receiving end of this years ago now with 2 of my daughters father, he used to try and blackmail me into giving him money and on occasions when he did have the children with him for say the weekend he would call me to say they would have nothing to eat etc, once or twice I did go over not with money but with food for my girls so that I knew that would have something but wasnt prepared to give him money to do as he pleased.
He did try the oh well I wont see them then, my answer, fine its your loss not theirs!!!!!!!!
Please dont be blackmailed into this as it will be oh I need a bit more this time etc xxx
Thanks louise and Tiredmum
Louise the exs new husband is well to do he has his own business ans is not short of a bob or two earns enough for ex to be a stay at home mum an a lady of leisure.
He said when they first got together he would pay for her and her children, plus ex when she dident have a child said she would never work as she dident want to pay me csa cause i would spend it on women and beer lol.
They have plenty of money and the mum is fully health enough to work she just dont want to,so for giving money it aint going to happen if she wants the daughter to spend a month there shes gonna have to foot the bill.
This comment has been moved here.
Ok that is fair comment, stuart. No wonder you are cross!!!!!
Hi Louise and ladies
No no laptop yet not until next weekend boo hoo feel lost without it (more so my daughter and her social network lol)
I am more excited about it than her i think lol carnt wait.