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Can I do anything to stop DD's GPs driving her? Should I? Does XP have to give me his address?

9 replies

Avingon · 24/11/2012 18:33

Relationship between me and XP cordial and even good until a couple of years ago (DD is 11). He had a bad breakup and wanted to see lots more of DD which I agreed to then he met someone else and - I don't want to say he ditched her, he didn't, but contact returned to previous levels and she very rarely had one on one time with him as his new GF (now wife), moved in very quickly.

Some stuff happened after that which I would characterise as XP putting DD's welfare (emotional and physical), secondary to his own convenience. I typed out a massive essay giving examples but it is very outing and I'm not sure it's relevant. Anyway relations have nosedived with XP taking the line that he did nothing wrong, nothing DD was expected to do or cope with was age or situation inappropriate and me, well, disagreeing.

XP takes DD to visit his parents about twice a year (he doesn't really get on with them). They are really nice people and have always been very nice to me (only met them a couple of times but they sent congratulations card when younger DCs were born, when I got married etc). DD likes them and enjoys spending time with them.

After the last visit she was telling me that both the GPs had separately gotten in car accidents - they are late 70s/early 80s - with her GF 'falling asleep at the wheel' and 'waking up' crashed into a wall (rural luckily, and slow, so no major damage to GF or car but GF did have a head injury), and her GM pulling out into a road and into an oncoming vehicle - again low speeds. GM also wears two hearing aids.

I have minimal experience of older people as my own parents and ILs are early 60s and I had no GPs of my own but when DD told me this I was quite concerned and I asked XP if he could please do the driving, rather than the GPs, when they next visited.

he went absolutely ballistic and said no, when DD was with him he made the judgements about what was safe and on and on. He drives to them so it'd be no hardship. But he just flat out said no, DD would be driven by the GPs.

So I feel awful about that and with the next visit coming up I don't know what to do, or if I should do anything. I really worry about DD being driven by them.

Seperately, XP has told me he is moving away. Contact will involve an hour-long train journey for DD - he wants me to drop her at the station near me and he will collect her his end. I am a bit PFB still about her and DH agrees it's okay so long as she has a phone on her so we are getting her a PAYG phone for that so she can call if any problems.

I said I would prefer to collect DD directly - DH will drive to get her and bring her back. But XP won't tell me his new address! He says there is no need for me to know it. Is this right?

Would really appreciate any advice as I am stressing about next visit to GPs and feel weird about not knowing where DD will be (though I suppose she could tell me herself, she's old enough, maybe I am being silly).

OP posts:
pinguthepenguin · 25/11/2012 09:58

I would say personally, that no way would I let my 11 year old on a hour long train journey by herself and frankly, xp is an arse for rejecting your kind offer to collect her even though he is the one moving away. He is also an arse for withholding the address, and it all speaks volumes about control rather than what is best for dd. He wants it all his own way.
I wouldn't be letting her do the train journey. No way.
As for the GP driving....you might have to let that one go.

AgentProvocateur · 25/11/2012 10:13

I think he's wrong about not giving you the address, but if it's a direct train line, I think 11 is old enough to do that journey. Maybe you could go with her once to practise?

Agree that you'll have to back down with the GPs' driving too.

RedHelenB · 25/11/2012 11:02

Can't see a problem with getting a train tbh.

Startail · 25/11/2012 11:18

No address no visit.

I'd let him take me to court on this one.

pinguthepenguin · 25/11/2012 11:32

I have visions of a fri night train journey and an 11yo alone, it wouldn't be for me and I would say no. If it got to court a judge would probably tell your ex off for withholding the address but likewise he could slap your wrists for withholding contact because of it. It's a hard one.

pinguthepenguin · 25/11/2012 11:34

Also- I can't get over the fact that he would prefer her to do the train journey alone rather than let your husband drive her. Thats fucking stupid and not about your dd at allAngry

BurpingHerbert · 25/11/2012 12:06

I would say no to her travelling alone on a train, especially if you or dh don't mind making the journey. I would rather get a slap on the wrist for not allowing contact than agreeing to my daughter travelling hundreds of miles alone. Anything could happen to her.

And as for not letting you know his address!!!! I wouldn't let her visit until he gives you this information. Could you not offer contact at your place, he could pick her up from your house at a set time and bring her back later in the day. This way you wouldn't be stopping contact but finding an alternative solution, which doesn't put your daughter at risk, and it is then up to him.... he either makes the journey himself or turns down your offer.

From a personal viewpoint, I made long journeys to see my DP before we moved in together and 120 miles, there and back, every weekend was so draining. After only a few months I ended up dreading Friday because of the traveling involved. This is something that your XP obviously isn't considering either.

PattyPenguin · 25/11/2012 16:52

The ticketing website of ATOC, the Association of Train Operating Companies, says "Train Operators cannot take any responsibility for children travelling alone and Train Companies will not allow any child under the age of 12 to travel without an adult aged 16 or over. If Train Company staff believe that a child under that age is travelling alone, the British Transport Police will be called for assistance".

Anyway, how would a child of 11 cope if there was an emergency or a breakdown or having to leave the train and continue by road transport?

Hassled · 25/11/2012 17:03

Re the grandparents driving - you say you have a good relationship and that they're nice people. How about a letter asking for some reassurance - say you know there have been some accidents and you're sure they understand how concerned you are for DD's safety etc. It may be the wake-up call they need to the fact that elderly people can't keep driving forever. Make it be all about DD - they love her, and they may recognise that she may come to harm in a car with them.

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