God Bless you and Carrie, Greg. I didn't read the responses. Just do what you feel's right by the girls. That'll be good. Merry Christmas.
But they really want dad there. Tell them you invited him but set rules in place. Let them know his response and discuss how they feel about it. Do I take a couple of gifts I got them and let dad give them on Christmas morning if that will get him to show up? He doesn't deserve to hand them a gift. If he doesn't bring one they can see first hand where his priorities are. Do I let him drink so he stays for a while? Absolutely not, what happens if he leaves and kills someone behind the wheel? Guess who the lawyers will come after when he doesn't have a penny to spare Or, and this is where I'm leaning, do I just let the POS do what he's gonna do and let the girls see him again in his true form? This is the ticket. I would still let them know he may or may not show up. Explain why you don't want him there drinking and let them see his true colors. My birth father lost his legal rights as a father to me when I was 5 and my Mother's second husband adopted me. The man put the bottle, drugs and the motor cycle gang ahead of me, I struggle to this day to forgive him but I love him. He is in my life today, but it came at price to him and he didn't see me for 12 years of his life. I can only hope that their father shakes out of it and can become a better person, from the sounds of it things might never change.
My wife and I have been dealing with this for years with her ex husband. He seldom works, has a drinking problem, pays no child support and often is a no show when he is supposed to pick up his son. My stepson is 13 now, he knows the score. I used to get so mad about the way he treated his son, now we all just expect the least from him, and we are never disappointed. The only thing I'd maybe offer up is this. The girls really want to see their dad and you don't want him drinking/drunk at your house. Offer to meet for brunch at Dennys (or wherever you want). No gift obligation and if he's a drunk, you can leave w/o any BS. Good luck to you.
