Hi,
My ex has been back in our child's life for 9 months, after 4 years no contact. All was ok in the beginning. Not a comfortable situation for me, as ex was very abusive during the relationship however, I pushed through for sake of our child.
Said child, 7, thinks their dad is amazing and is very keen to see them as much as possible. Currently sees them one day a week every fortnight. Ex has been offered more contact, but says they have work commitments. Child has asked to sleep overnight but nothing ever materialises.
Ex introduced girlfriend to child two months ago, despite myself and child stating this is too soon. She now comes with him on every pick up and drop off. I smile and am approachable, but she always greets us with a blank expression. Personally, I'd rather get along and remain polite for my child's comfort.
Ex used to take child out and do things with them until girlfriend was introduced however, now they go to grandparents or they are sent upstairs to play with her children, who are much older. We would occasionally message regarding child, and replies would always take days until he was back in work and I'd get a response.
He recently asked for my phone number, as I'd questioned why he was changing dates of contact frequently. I know from previous experience, that this call would have probably involved him screaming and then twisting my words. I declined and said I was happy to keep all conversations via messages.
He now refuses to respond to absolutely any message I send, has began being early and late picking child up from chosen location and has told child that he will be buying them a phone, so he can message them regarding contact.
It was going so well and I can't decide really who the problem is. I can't decide if it is her encouraging him to freeze me out, or if it is him reverting back to controlling behaviour. However, I do feel a child who is 7, 8 next month, is too young to have to deal with the tooing and frowing of arrangements of their own contact. Am I being unreasonable?