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Ok , so I’m sick of reading stuff about women’s aid and how mums are always right etc. Thought If I was to ask some dads on there opinion then it could help me to understand whAt to do next and if I am right or wrong.
So I am all for access to fathers and believe women can be selfish and put there own needs first. My ex was violent and sexually abusive. There is evidence of this and the judge stated the case was exceptional in its evidence so much so there was no need for a fact finding etc). Naturally , wanting to protect my child I had to safeguard this via the family courts. He went through the contact centre after debating it was too expensive and couldn’t afford the train fare . His parents took him to every session , never independently. He did attend supervised contact for 18 months and then naturally it went to a whole day , supervised by his parents. Sometimes my ex doesn’t even turn up , his parents come to collect him. My son is now 4 and struggles with the 2 nights it has now been built up to alternate weekends. He has night tremors and wakes up 5,6 times. He cries uncontrollably during periods at night but this settles within 5 nights . My ex’s father approached me in a verbally aggressive manner this week stating they want 9 nights at Christmas in a row. The court order is old and did state he could have 7 consecutive nights this year. I pleaded that he would work with me half way and have his nights split but to an equal amount. Say , some weekends in a row and then 3 nights in a row. I even suggested they could have Christmas Day for the second year running so long as it did not exceed 3 nights as I felt doing 2 nights then straight to 7 is too much for my just turned 4 year old. He had a chance to build up contact during the summer but chose not to. He discovered I was pregnant with my husband around 6 weeks ago and I feel this has been a catalyst: I have said to go from 2 nights to 7 when he is only just coping is unfair. I said to have 7 but spill it. The court order is so loosely worded that it appears they are entitled to the weekend contact before as well. His half term for Xmas is only 12 days long and I said asking for 9 nights is excessive.
Do you feel I am being unreasonable ? I will probably have some more abuse off them in the coming days . My ex is rarely there and these arguments are always between me and the grandparents. I don’t want to argue but I feel intimidated and worried he won’t cope.
He has vision issues and needs patching which they always fail to do and his vision has deteriorated. The nursery want to make a referral to children’s services and I don’t know what to do.
Thanks
Hi there
I'm sorry to hear your son is struggling. Are your ex's parents named in the order to help with pick ups and drop offs?
If the grandfather is being verbally aggressive towards you that is unacceptable and you would be within your rights to suspend contact whilst it is sorted out.
Court orders run until a child reaches the age of 16, but you do have the option of returning to court to try and vary the order if you feel that your child is suffering. Mediation is mandatory before a court application can be made, it might be a good idea to talk to a mediator about your issues.
As the progression of overnights was refused during the summer, I do think it is unreasonable to expect it to move from 2 to 9 nights in one go.
Please feel free to contact me privately to discuss this further.
Hi
I agree with Mojo.
Please do not be bullied in this situation. I hope you have taken Mojo's offer to contact them privately.
Best wishes
hello, first of all...welcome 🙂
you should be tolarating any abuse from anyone and do not be scared of warning them that if their behaviour continues then you will take approiate action
If the contact order is not working then as suggested you can apply to have to varied, your son needs a routine and cannot be expected to jump to that amount of time at such a young age
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