When my ex-husband asked to take a four-month break from paying child support because his new wife wanted to take their daughter to Disney, I was stunned. He expected me to just accept it and shoulder all the financial and parenting responsibilities alone. But instead of arguing, I decided to teach him a lesson. On his next visitation day, I didn’t drop off our son—instead, I left a big case at their door filled with clothes and school supplies, explaining that since he wanted a break from support payments, he’d be handling full-time parenting for the next 16 weeks.

His shocked reaction was priceless. He blurted out, “We never agreed to this!” and begged me to reconsider. But I played innocent, telling him it was only fair he experience what full-time parenting really meant while I focused on my own savings. To make matters even clearer, I let him know our son didn’t want to visit that weekend and that I’d bring him over Monday—meaning my ex would have sole custody for the entire period. The roles were reversed, and suddenly he was the one facing the challenge.

Since then, he and his wife have been calling and texting nonstop, but I’ve stayed firm, refusing to pick up. He chose to prioritize his new family and skip his responsibilities, so he must face the consequences. I didn’t act on impulse; this was a direct response to his audacious request to drop support. While it might seem harsh, it’s important to stand up for what’s fair, especially when it comes to a child’s well-being.

Ultimately, this experience taught me the importance of clear boundaries and fairness in co-parenting. It’s not about revenge—it’s about making sure both parents share the responsibility and care that our child deserves. I’m focused on protecting my son emotionally and financially, and I hope my ex realizes that shirking his duties only hurts everyone involved.