To cut a long story short. I have a agreed to DD staying with her grandparents a few hours away for three days. This will be the first time she’s stayed with them (in 10 years) since I went to collect DD after they didn’t stick to the agreed script of not lying to DD about her Dad’s whereabouts. With the support of a child phycologist DD I told that her father was staying with Police (remand) while it was being decided what would happen to Dad after he assaulted me (she witnessed the assault).
DD’s father despite a contact centre and mediation involvement, ended contact three years ago and despite promises of twice yearly contact, his only contact (via pre recorded Skype video, Ex doesn’t want DD having the ability to enter in any type of discussion with him) in the last year was to announce his marriage and birth of his son.
I have made it very clear that for contact to restart he has to contact my lawyer and commit to long term contact with DD. However, I suspect that his parents will try and facilitate contact and I have sent them an email stating that this is not to happen and the terms that contact are to be established (this has already been communicated in writing to him as part of the contact termination process).
Their idea was for them to travel to our city (they don’t have our address) and have lunch with DD and me and take back with them. It’s quite obvious that since the email they aren’t keen on having lunch with me. I suspect they won’t cancel the lunch because despite their sometimes belligerence, they know that I could (I wouldn’t) cancel the trip.
They are good people and have been very loving and supportive of DD. However, over the years Ex’s Mum has tried to manipulate me into feeling sorry for her selfish, non maintenance paying, child abandoning son and the atmosphere won’t be great because of my written slap down.
Do I insist on Lunch? Which would be an opportunity to speak face to face about my email or should I leave it?