[quote]It is fine for him to include his wife and put her as an emergency contact. No need to apologize for that.

I am suggesting he should apologize for omitting the mother. Although chatter box has tried to justify doing that, there's really no excuse. [/quote]

Is there really no excuse?
I think chatterbox would rather have the ease of knowing that himself or his wife would be contacted in case of an emergency instead of a mother who does not take proper responsibility for the care of her child.
I know my situation is a bit different as my ex is 1300 miles away, but I don't list him as an emergency contact either. I do not have him listed on school registration cards so he may not pick up the children without my knowing about it. I've had situations where I was unsure if he was going to try and get the kids from school when he shouldn't have but felt less nervous knowing that he would have to bring court papers with him and that they would call me before releasing the children anyhow.

As far as Chatterbox sending the letter though, I definitely think there is no purpose in it. If the mother thinks that step-mom shouldn't be involved, let her try to put it in an order and then he can react...in the meantime there really isn't any point other than getting it off his chest, which has been accomplished just by putting the words down on paper.