Am I being precious about my Dd?

[BubblesPip]

Basically dd’s ‘D’F is an abusive, nasty bastard and only has supervised contact with 18 month old Dd.
Today contact was arranged at a soft play centre. He took her into a ‘football’ area, with large, foam (but heavy) balls to kick about.
Dd was standing, in her whole little world when the ex threw one of these large balls to purposely hit her on the head. It shocked her and clearly jolted her head/neck. She looked to me as she didn’t know what to make of it. The ex found it hilarious, so she started laughing.

Aibu but I was immensely pissed off and can’t help but think a normal parent doesn’t do this to their child, especially one so young?

He also later threw a plastic ball that hit her in the eye.

@RiceBaby What led you to that conclusion? OP has said that he is a nasty piece of work.

By the sound of it it’s your health visitor, who has advised op to supervise, not court ordered. Is that correct?

No he shouldn’t be throwing anything at your dds head.

Sounds as if contact at an independently supervised access centre might, in your opinion, be better. The resident and non-resident parents use different doors and don't meet. You'd have to go through a court to ensure that that was what he got. If the court disagreed you'd be back to your current arrangement. Do you arrange the access yourselves now?

For a bit of context; the ex has been arrested multiple times for assault (not just against me) Unfortjnately never convicted, but cautioned for assault.

I have chosen not to take it to court as I’m well aware he would likely end up with unsupervised contact eventually. As it stands, I am able to ensure my Dd is safe. I have done the freedom programme and feel able to manage his behaviour towards me. But I am well aware that he may then get to me through my Dd, which is my reasoning for posting here.

It was not an air filled ball, It was a foam ball which was heavy and I certainly wouldn’t want to be hit with it. She was clearly jolted by this ball and unsure about how to react, in that she paused and looked to me for reassurance. The only reason she laughed was because he found it hilarious. Almost as though she was mimicking his behaviour.

I am aware that I’m protective over her, so wanted other opinions...which seem to be quite mixed at present. I don’t understand why anyone would shock/potentially hurt a small toddler for a joke? She’s not old enough to understand that it’s a ‘game’ surely?

Why do people have children with these men? What is wrong that this happens?

Right so your update shows that this little display was unlikely to be done for a laugh then.

He's assaulted you numerous times so is obviously a bully and has a nasty side. Given that I would go to court for supervised contact at a centre. It's only a matter of time before he starts on you, especially if you dare stand up to him for hurting your DD, even if it's only in play.