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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To stop ex husband seeing children

112 replies

sal1223 · 17/11/2021 20:30

I don't want to and will probably get flamed but I'm sick with stress and not sure what to do . Kicked husband of 15 years out for infidelity and drugs , he was doing cocaine and sleeping around for 2 years without my knowledge. Since he moved out he's only seen the children here in the family home , it's supposed to be 3 times a week but he isn't consistent and hasnt seen them at a weekend for over 6 weeks . I wouldn't trust him to have them on his own and he never had them on his own when we were together (he isn't asking for more contact either ) , one child has additional needs that he doesn't cope well with . I feel like he's spiralling with drink and drugs - I've had 5 plus people tell me recently that they think he's a problem and they wouldn't have him around the kids. This is people that have seen him out or what he's been posting online (I'm not on social media thankfully)
I find him reckless and irresponsible, also a bit frightening. He has threatened to top himself when he's not got his own way- he has also been aggressive and threatening towards me in the past , I logged one incident with the police after he'd left but played it down as I felt guilty for calling them - looking back it was in some ways an emotionally abusive relationship towards the end .
I've been on hold for 3 hours to 101 to update them and try to get some advice but just got cut off . My problem now is it makes me feel uneasy when he's here , the man he is now isn't someone I would chose to have around the children , he's unstable , unpredictable and can be very intimidating. He's fallen asleep during contact and got very agitated when I've woken him and threatened to not come and see them again - upsetting for them ! He's not a good dad or a good role model and if he is in fact getting more involved with drink and drugs then I don't want the kids around him . I just don't know what to do , do I wait until he slips up while he's here ? Do I tell him he should stay away until he's sorted himself out ? I would never know if he was on something - and all I really have to go on is hearsay / rumours . Any advice or signposting would be greatly appreciated, my friend said call children's services see what they say . We are not in court over contact or anything , it's just what we initially agreed . I don't feel like I can just say he can't see them anymore , but I'm not happy about him being here . There's no family that could facilitate contact and I don't have any suggestions for how he could see them that doesn't involve coming here . I don't know 😵‍💫 he's really not that fussed about them - but I don't want to be the woman that stops a father seeing his kids . Sorry this is a bit rambled I'm rushing coz need to get kids in bed . Thanks in advance anyway x

OP posts:
CherryDocsInYrBalls · 18/11/2021 23:51

It's called the FOG - fear, obligation and guilt and it's how he has been manipulating you all this time. You are coming out of it now. It's a new day tomorrow, get some rest and book an appointment with a solicitor. If he comes round unannounced and scares you, call the police. If he tries to barge his way in, call the police. They will believe you. If he sends you threatening texts report him. It is scary but you can do it and once it's done and contact is formalised you won't have to live in this anxious state and the kids won't be constantly let down.

sal1223 · 18/11/2021 23:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sal1223 · 19/11/2021 00:05

The bottom lone is though that I'm not 100% sure he's safe to be around based on my own previous experience with him , his behaviour when we split, concerns about his mental health and now what I'm now hearing about his lifestyle , possible problems with drink and drugs - plus inconsistency with turning up and seeing them when planned

OP posts:
sal1223 · 19/11/2021 00:05

Hell say I'm punishing him 🙄

OP posts:
MrsHookey · 19/11/2021 00:18

@Dillydollydingdong

He'll get bored and fed up with coming to see the DC. Most of the inadequate fathers do. Just give it a bit of time.
This. Was in a similar predicament and this happened. There are lots of excuses why he no longer visits. It's all my fault of course.
Nachostress · 19/11/2021 00:20

Op, another social worker here. You could try offering him a bit of an olive branch, that serves two interests here - his wish to be involved at an easy/convenient level, and your children's interests re identity purposes. You could offer video contact, either pre-recorded (ie recording a vid and sending a link) or live (facetime)
These allow a connection while significantly reducing risk. And pre-recorded vids mean that a parent has scope (hopefully!) to record them without other issues intruding. It allows you to keep that message of 'this is your dad' without bringing the risky stuff to your door. And if he is an absent dad - which your posts suggest he is- it might satisfy the ego driven 'they're mine!' and might actually help keep him at arms length.

sal1223 · 19/11/2021 06:01

@Nachostress thanks for the reply , all good
Suggestions . But as it stands right now do you think I have enough to tell
Him to stay away -
And to stop contact ?

OP posts:
oldstudentmum · 19/11/2021 06:40

When I took it to court. I had no physical evidence of drug use etc. Caffcass involved . I did have texts emails nothing was asked for! Caffcass put in report if he wanted more contact then a hair strand test should be provided. I think it’s best if u applied for the child arrangement order and ask for reside with part. You can keep the texts when u have asked about him seeing kids and the no reply. Just don’t keep texting he is enjoying that.

sal1223 · 19/11/2021 07:54

The way he's behaved and the lack of interest he shows in them when he's here I'd rather he didn't see them at all if I'm honest . I don't see how it's beneficial for them

OP posts:
CherryDocsInYrBalls · 19/11/2021 08:53

It's a process, the first thing is to formalise contact in a contact centre, then judging by his past behaviour he won't be consistent and then take the next step. At the moment you're trying to go from texting him multiple times a day and allowing him contact in your home, to no contact which is also causing you anxiety. You've got to take the process in steps and the first thing is stop texting and formalise things.

sal1223 · 19/11/2021 09:42

@CherryDocsInYrBalls thanks cherry . How do I formalise in a contact centre though - I don't think he'd agree and I don't know I have enough grounds

OP posts:
CherryDocsInYrBalls · 19/11/2021 18:52

You can apply online, you can skip mediation if there is domestic abuse, which there is if he intimidates and frightens you. Speak to a family law solicitor to guide you through the process. Cafcass have a lot of information online as do women's aid. You do have enough to get contact supervised, all these services are there to protect your children from emotional and physical harm

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