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Divorce/separation

Here you'll find divorce help and support from other Mners. For legal advice, you may find Advice Now guides useful.

Separation/Divorce/Dating/Custody

9 replies

TwistMyMelons · 05/08/2023 14:49

I have 3 questions…

  1. How likely is it for a father to get 50% custody in a divorce if he can’t drive? He’s also becoming a religious fanatic (Christian), would this make any difference or not relevant?
  2. And how have other people managed seeing their kids for only 50% of the time? The idea of not seeing them for half of their lives is stopping me in my tracks with this
  3. How soon after separation is it not ‘unseemly’ to start dating? We have been officially separated since March but hadn’t had sex or a loving relationship for years before that. I got straight back into seeing a FWB because I was so desperate for connection, but I’ve kept it a secret so far because I feel like it’s cruel to be open about it (we still live together). But I don’t like being secretive but I’ve no idea what a nice time frame would be? 1 year after separating? 2?
OP posts:
AuntieStella · 05/08/2023 14:59
  1. Both driving and religion are likely to be wholly irrelevant

  2. If you can't bear the thought f 50/50, it's not really fair on him to have even less, is it? It's a daunting prospect, but once you get in to the swing of it, you'll all adjust really well

  3. No rules. Personally, I think acting furtively whilst you are still co-habiting is a bit off. I think it might be better to put your efforts into establishing your new life and have a period living independently, reconnecting with your priorities and only then deciding what sort of partner you might want in future. But if you want to date as sooner than that, then do so (but do keep it as far as possible in the times when the DC are with their DDad

TwistMyMelons · 05/08/2023 15:20

Thank you very much for your thoughts, I appreciate it.

On point 2, yes I agree, it's not ok for him to have less, but I'm just trying to figure out where I stand.
And yes it's such a daunting prospect, they're all just so young. Not sure if I can do it.

OP posts:
wehaveeaches · 11/08/2023 10:10

Hi there. So my husband randomly and quickly became a Muslim, started peppering his language and saying we weren't truly married anymore. Scared the fuck out of me since he had been isolating prior and going back and forth from left and right wing politics.

I kicked him out. He's not my child's father and this would surely show everyone how strange he is instead of me suffering alone with his increasing violent tendencies, punching holes in the house to intimidate me from asking questions, dominating me sexually calling me all sorts, sleeping with prostitutes then telling me later.

Anyway, he's got 50/50 of my daughter and the court are asking him all about what holidays he would like to celebrate with her. He forgot to mention the Islamic holidays since it was all a terror tactic for my benefit.

He lives with his parents, can't drive, has documented psychosexual problems that see him exhibiting behaviourrs that worried me. I was basically told I was overreacting in court.

If you can avoid family court, do, as it's a really not nice process that forces you to relive abuse then tell you it never happened.

As for coping with access. Simply keep busy when the child is not with you. Oh and by the way, I went on two dates this week while my daughter was away. I found out I'm not that bad at pool and there are people out there who are interesting and fun and not desperate to get into your knickers either.

I had a ball actually. I pottered about the house, tidied up, and made great use of the time. I'm in therapy for the symptoms that are caused by contact with him, as it's not something I am allowed to avoid, so it must make me stronger instead.

This is my new mantra; anything that threatens to bring you down in life, ensure it helps you level up instead.

millymollymoomoo · 11/08/2023 13:04

Agree with auntiestellar

TwistMyMelons · 13/08/2023 11:50

@wehaveeaches

thank you for sharing this, and I’m so sorry this happened to you!

and it is very interesting what behaviours are completely ignored. I suppose religion is quite a a protected thing

OP posts:
JibbaJab · 13/08/2023 12:36

@wehaveeaches Wow that must have been difficult well done for removing him. It's not funny but funny how people can change entirely or their values once you're not with them.

Shame they didn't listen to what anyone would assume would be valid concerns. Glad you are at least living again though without all that hate, as hard as it must be at the same time in other aspects.

I'm on the opposite end and going court soon but my wife was abusive and has been withholding the children. I've had to force court proceedings with abuse to try regain contact but I have no idea what that's going to be like and whether they will take any notice.

I'm stuck in limbo missing the children, can't move on but I'm also aware I'm rotting to a degree could go on a long time and it would be nice to meet nice people for a change. Just not sure whether that is wise so comes in waves, think about it...no probably shouldn't.

Cupcakekiller · 13/08/2023 12:50

Ref 50/50 for my youngest DC, I work full time in a stressful job and use my child free time at home to see friend, date, relax and catch up on housework. Feel like I'm always busy.

Him not driving is irrelevant? I was a lone parent to elder DC and didn't drive. I still parented effectively and he had a very happy fulfilled childhood.

TwistMyMelons · 13/08/2023 20:59

@JibbaJab I have no wise words, I just wanted to say I’m so sorry. Not having access to one’s children must be horrendous. Hang in there. Hopefully soon this will be just a bad dream.

OP posts:
JibbaJab · 13/08/2023 21:10

TwistMyMelons · 13/08/2023 20:59

@JibbaJab I have no wise words, I just wanted to say I’m so sorry. Not having access to one’s children must be horrendous. Hang in there. Hopefully soon this will be just a bad dream.

Thank you, yes it's torture but hoping it will be seen for what it is in court as it's clear as day. It's not only me either, has cut off the entire family both sides so everyone is going through it with me in a way.

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