Recently separated advice

[Kelly2343]

Hi this is my first post I am looking for some advice I recently left a 10 year relationship and me and my 8 year old daughter left the family home. Although upset she was fine and looked forward to our new life and changing school I let her go visit her dad and stop with him for two weeks as he was off work but cutting a long story short she is now refusing to come back and is adamant she now wants to live there. Not surprisingly she is been spoilt rotten with new toys takeaways and cloths and is not been disciplined at all and is basically calling all the shots which her dad is loving as you can imagine its all come to a head tonight when I have said I'm not prepared for things to carry on with her not coming and staying with me for the weekend he's told me that as she is 8 she can do what she wants and I haven't a leg to stand on does anyone know what I can do legally or it this right.

Oh how awful, I really feel for you! I'm pretty sure she is too young to make the decision and legally I am certain you do have rights as the law is big on both parents should play a role. Try this site: www.advicenow.org.uk/advicenow-guides/family/parents-apart/when-does-the-child-get-to-choose-html,629,FP.html

Also the best people I've found for advice are Citizens Advice Bureau - if you phone them up they will be able to direct you. Here's their site too: www.adviceguide.org.uk/england.htm

I'd also suggest asking your GP to refer you to a Health Visitor who might be able to talk you through the best way to handle your daughter (ask Citizens Advice too) since as you say she has probably been spoiled and also no doubt upset by the split. With support you should be able to find a way that she can see both you and her dad, and I wish you the very best of luck in working it all out.