Divorce is a tuffy...What parent who doesn't see their kids as often wouldn't want to have fun with them, to make the few visit's extra happy instead of just regular day or weekend? Doesn't matter if its the Mom or Dad. So that causes problems.
The only reason I mentioned a word is I'm twice divorced, and have seen the helicopter mom syndrome in full action. Life's tough and weird. Damn those "Gilmore Girls
-WW