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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be feeling helpless

20 replies

BitOfAWorrier · 19/01/2013 23:51

Basically just looking for a bit of perspective, I'm completely stressing out about my DD's father, even though I know it will do no good. I've been feeling so down and crying randomly for about a week and I don't want to be focusing so much on it, but everythings just getting to me way more than it should.

DD is 8 months, and her dad and I haven't been together since early pregnancy. She wasn't planned incase I'm going to get flamed for having a baby with him, and to be honest I didn't realize what he was like until his reaction to the pregnancy and behavior thereafter anyway.

While he had been nasty on occasions, I genuinely believed he would be a good dad for DD. He is on the birth certificate, and I have always allowed contact and stayed on ok terms.

Her dad has never shown any caring feelings towards her, seeing her for the first few days, until the day we registered her, then not seeing her for 2 weeks after she was born or replying to texts so on.
He turned up at my flat late afternoon demanding that I hand her over as he wanted to take her to the pub to meet his friend. I said he could see her at mine instead of taking her out (having not seen him for 2 weeks, having no notice, and her being breastfed so on) and he started shouting and swearing at me that she was as much his and he could have her when he wanted, punching the wall and kicking my door before he left.

Since then the majority of the time I see him he has been calmer, there have been two more "outbursts" but never actually hitting me, just objects. He see's her very sporadically, never replying to texts in between, including when she was admitted to hospital for 2 days. He will never give more notice than a couple of hours before a visit if he does give any, having not seen her for weeks between each one usually, then visiting a few days in a row so on, so i never know when he will be turning up and I constantly feel on edge and like I can't arrange things.

He generally ignores her when he is around, but I don't feel like she would be safe with him and so don't want to just send him off with her. He does things that he must know will stress me out about him having her, like opening the window and holding her outside of it, then laughing and calling me from the kitchen saying "she's looking outside" (My flat is 3 stories up). Putting her on the edge of the sofa where she fell off then calling her stupid, shouting at her regularly (to "shock her out of crying") saying things like "your not a fucking baby stop crying at me".

The thing is, he's not just "weird", he knows its not acceptable behavior, as I have taken her to see him with his friends twice, and he acted like the model dad then, all cooing and cuddling.

I didn't see him for 7 weeks, and thought he'd got bored of it all, then he turned up a week ago with no notice. He said he wants her overnight once she turns one, and that he has been to his solicitor and he has told him that I have to hand her over.
The thing is, I have no evidence that he has done any of these things with DD, bar talking to my health visitor early on about concerns, and keeping a diary of incidences. But I can't imagine this would count for much without any evidence as it's just he said she said really isn't it.

I'm absolutely terrified about what will happen to her when I do have to hand her over, but I know it's not doing any help worrying about it either. Basically looking for someone to convince me she will be ok when he has her Confused

Am I over worrying. I'm sure theres lots of mums out there who have to leave their children with dads who they aren't confortable them being alone with, should I just hope she's ok once they're alone and leave him to it, or am I being justified to want to be there still.

Sorry for the huge post, it's helped getting it all out.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 19/01/2013 23:56

He's talking complete bollocks about the solicitor

Personally from what you've said, I wouldn't allow any contact other than in a supervised contact centre.

And I really don't say that lightly as I believe that mostly kids are entitled to a loving relationship with both parents.

Salmotrutta · 20/01/2013 00:06

I agree with Worra.

He held a baby outside a window Shock and shouted at her - an 8 month baby - for crying after falling off the sofa. After he put her near the edge.

Don't let him have her on his own. Sad

Charliefarlie1192 · 20/01/2013 00:11

He sounds dangerous I would stop all contact and arrange contact centre visits. Sorry you are going through this

BitOfAWorrier · 20/01/2013 00:15

I'm worried about using a contact center though, because he's shown with his friends that he can act fine when he needs to.
so then wouldn't there be a chance that would just speed up him having her alone?

OP posts:
GlitterySkulls · 20/01/2013 00:17

normally i'm all for dad's seeing their kids, but from what you've said, i wouldn't be happy in your shoes either.

you don't have to hand her over if you feel uncomfortable, & you certainly don't have to let him have her overnight, he's bluffing & trying to bully you.

BitOfAWorrier · 20/01/2013 00:17

And equally I'm not sure if he's just doing it to get at me, and that he'd leave her alone when it's just them, or if he just likes being "controlling" with her too.

OP posts:
SquinkiesRule · 20/01/2013 00:46

Stop all contact keep a journal of what he does, says and acts like when he's about and see a solicitor yourself.
If he tells you he wants her again, tell him to take you to court for visitation. Keep all his texts/emails, don't contact him any other way so you can keep records of what he says.
He sounds like a horrible abusive arse.

quoteunquote · 20/01/2013 01:54

Go and get some simple digital cameras and record his behaviour when he is at your place, it sounds like he hasn't bonded, if he has no empathy for her.

SolidGoldFrankensteinandmurgh · 20/01/2013 02:07

There's no court order in place; tell him to go fuck himself and then go and see a solicitor yourself and list your concerns about his behaviour. Remember you do not ever have to let him into your house, it isn't his home and he has no right of entry - if he turns up and tries to force his way in or causes a disturbance demanding to come in you can call the police, who will come and remove him.

You can block and stonewall for a long time, and he may get bored and give up. Also, if he is not already paying maintenance you should apply to the CSA straightaway. The way to deal with arseholes like him is to disengage and use the law to put them in their place.

Chottie · 20/01/2013 06:09

His behaviour is not that of a caring, loving father. He sound vicious, cruel and controlling.

jaffacake2 · 20/01/2013 06:48

Please dont leave your baby with him he sounds an immature dangerous man.She will get hurt with him. Certainately emotionally because of the way he shouts at you,punches objects and generally has no regard for her developing sensitive little brain.This does enormous harm to a baby raising cortisol levels in the baby's body affecting brain development.
Let alone the physical risk.He will neglect her if his friends are more important at the time.Perhaps not change or feed her ignoring the cries. The risk of her getting hurt when being "playfully" dangled over the sofa. Or getting caught in the crossfire when he decides to have a go at you.
Please she will gain nothing from seeing him. He has no rights to see her.It is the childs right to have contact with her father IF in her best interests.
This is not.

Samnella · 20/01/2013 07:13

He does things that he must know will stress me out about him having her, like opening the window and holding her outside of it, then laughing and calling me from the kitchen saying "she's looking outside" (My flat is 3 stories up). Putting her on the edge of the sofa where she fell off then calling her stupid, shouting at her regularly (to "shock her out of crying") saying things like "your not a fucking baby stop crying at me".

And you're asking if you are worrying unnecessarily? Really? How much does this excuse of a human being have to do to your baby before you think maybe it's not a good idea to leave her with him? Because everything you have said is more than enough in my eyes.

What Worra said.

CailinDana · 20/01/2013 07:19

There is no way you can allow this man near your daughter any more. He has been physically threatening towards you and has behaved in a dangerous and threatening way towards her. Cut off all contact and let him fight for every minute he wants with her. As Solid says, get onto the CSA quick smart - I'd bet anything that as soon as money is involved he'll suddenly lose interest. Your daughter will not benefit from having this horrible shit of a man in her life. She will be far better off if he just fucks off.

SushiPaws · 20/01/2013 07:29

What Worra said.

Really bad situation, worse than I think you realise, he sounds like a nasty piece of work, protect your dd.

jaffacake2 · 20/01/2013 07:48

Sorry this is really playing on my mind.
I am a HV and if you told me about your ex and his behaviour and you were letting him have her then I would be referring you to Childrens services.This baby would be seriously at risk with him mentally and physically.I am sure the social workers would agree,a case conference would be held and she would be subject to a child protection plan.
This is not to frighten you but to show you how very concerning his behaviour is and how dangerous it could be to a baby.
Please dont let him have her.

Margocat · 20/01/2013 07:55

I'm really sorry that you are feeling so upset but as others posters have said I don't think you realise how serious some of the concerns that you've raised are.

It's admirable to try to keep up a good relationship with your child's father and as has already been said, usually the right thing for the children, but in my opinion definitely not in this case.

You need to get support ASAP. Start with your health visitor, consider speaking to social services or the police if you feel threatened by him. You need to stop allowing him into your house (and certainly don't let him be alone with your daughter). Write to him and explain what your concerns are and why you are ceasing contact unless it's supervised and keep a copy of the letter. Just the info you've put in your post will had convincing enough.

Wishing you lots of strength. Try to get some support with this, do you have family you can confide in/rely on?

gimmecakeandcandy · 20/01/2013 08:01

Speak to your health visitor ASAP, social services, write everything Down and DO NOT let him anywhere near her. He is dangerous.

KaraStarbuckThrace · 20/01/2013 08:03

Please do not leave your DD with this man. He is NOT a good father. I don't suppose you have reported any of these incidents to the Police? Violent and threatening behaviour is a criminal offence. His solicitor is also talking utter bollox as well, goodness knows what lies he/she has been told!
I agree with the others, keep a journal of every contact and talk to CAFCASS about arranging contact through a supervised contact centre.

CheCazzo · 20/01/2013 08:28

I'm worried about using a contact center though, because he's shown with his friends that he can act fine when he needs to

Are you even for real? Sorry if that sounds harsh but I think you need someone to snap you out of whatever idealised dream scenario you're locked into. This bloke is DANGEROUS. Ok? Got that? Whether he is capable of acting the proper father or not it only takes a split second of wriggling baby and that joking at the window becomes a tragedy from which there is no return.

Please listen to what everyone else is telling you here - starting NOW.

littlewhitebag · 20/01/2013 08:38

I agree with jaffacake (and everyone else here for that matter). I am a SW and have responded when things like this have been brought to our attention - especially the dangling out of an open window.

You need to act as the protecting parent and you must NOT allow him any unsupervised contact with your child. Go and get legal advice immediately.

As already suggested keep a note of when he visits, for how long, what he does when he is there and any unsafe behaviour you notice. If anything happens while he is there which causes harm or puts her at risk of harm, call the police or SS.

Please do not leave it until it is too late.

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