Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

What to do when DC refusing to go to their dad's?

7 replies

TorviShieldMaiden · 16/02/2023 10:52

Divorced for 3 years, dc are 10 and 13. 10 year old is autistic. She in particular is getting worse at going to her dad's house. We do 50/50 half a week, so it works out at every other weekend. She is particularly bad when it is the 5 nights at his.

Today she was in tears. She has always been very attached to me, she doesn't like me leaving her with anyone, including grandparents (who she adores). I don't really know what to do. I acknowledge her feelings, but still take her. We've talked about why- I think he isn't as accommodating of her needs, I have tried talking to him about it, he and 13 yr old argue a lot which she hates. But otherwise it is just that she wants to stay with me.

Now, selfishly (and I know I will get roasted for this, but its relevant) I would struggle to have her all the time, in part because the intensity of her needs, but also because my job requires me to work evenings and weekends sometimes, and travel around UK a few times a month. I do this now in the time they are with their dad. I wouldn't be able to do my job, leading to obviously not being able to maintain my mortgage (and no, I can't just not to the travel, I have already asked, they are essential part of my job.) Family all live away so no childcare, and she would not be left with a babysitter.

I don't know what to do, I feel awful forcing her, but also can't live with her permanently attached to me.

OP posts:
TorviShieldMaiden · 16/02/2023 18:09

Bumping for the evening

OP posts:
romdowa · 16/02/2023 18:11

You just have to explain why she has to go. Maybe put together a kit for her to make it more bearable.

SpinningFloppa · 16/02/2023 18:15

I get it, my daughter is autistic and her dad won’t have her so I have her full, it doesn’t make you selfish for wanting a break and unpopular opinion but yes I would still make them go, people say you don’t have to send them places if they don’t want to go but what about if a child just decided they didn’t want to go to school anymore? No one would say well just keep them home.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

yukkamumma · 16/02/2023 18:30

What's his position in all this? Is he making any effort to make it appealing for her to come? I made my exH be the one to arrange contact and I would leave so she knew there was no option. I took myself out of the equation.

Would a calendar or story board help her predict better when she's due to go? My dd isn't autistic but definitely has traits, one of these is struggling with transitions. Notice and prep time helped.

We ended up abandoning it in the end as she was so distressed (he was emotionally abusive in the past) but she's a bit older...he should be the one making the effort here.

MintJulia · 16/02/2023 18:31

Can you help her plan each visit. Make sure she has things to do that she likes and can retreat into. Art? Books?

Can you ask the 13yo to step up a little and try to help if she is feeling very low?

Cece92 · 16/02/2023 18:40

It is really hard. My DD is nearly 9, and she refuses sometimes to go to her dads. She's fine once there but I work full time and work late rhe nights she's there so I can finish at 3 the other days. It's so hard xxx

TorviShieldMaiden · 17/02/2023 11:20

Thanks for the suggestions. We do stick to a routine. Essentially I think she has always been super attached to me, even before divorce. Added to that her dad has the empathy of a rock sometimes. I think he tries, but a lot of her needs and adapting to them don't come naturally to him.

I've tried to have conversations with him in past, but I feel awkward giving him parenting tips as such- it should be for him to decide how he parents etc. He has previously admitted that I am better at managing her, and he will put in place specific things if we discuss it, but he isn't intuitive to it. If that makes sense.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page