Friends children have always had times they didn't want to visit Dad. Crying, screaming, clinging to person handing over, pretending to be unwell, saying they don't want to go. There have been many times they've been happy to go.
Things had been ok for a while, around 6 months. Recently her DC's have come home very upset. Dad made unkind comments, DC can't read, they don't love him, wouldn't be getting treats but his other child would, would be better with him than with mother, comments made about their personal hygiene and Mums routine not being good enough, called Mum names. Saying he is sure she is trying to upset him. She didnt force kids to go for a while, one DC acted terrified of Dad during this time.
After a few months she arranged a meeting with dc's and Dad. Dad told one DC, whilst other DC ran away as they did not want to be near Dad, that if they said he was lying he could see siblings again. Nothing happened for a few weeks but I've now heard contact was stated again and kids have again come home upset. Saying he was showing them things they missed in the time he didnt see them because they were telling lies and didn't want to see him.
I've suggested supervised contact but don't know how this would be arranged. Would this be the right thing to do? Or AMBU?
I'm worried about the children. Their relationship was abusive and I'm worried she is still too frightened of him to make the right decisions.