I would like some ideas and advice about how to deal with shared residency hearing in early January. Sorry about such long post but some background is needed. I separated from ex 2 years ago and I moved out - we were not married and the house was his. He bullied me into leaving DD behind (now 7) and I was badly depressed, having been bullied by him for a long time. In any case, it seemed to make sense to have DD stay put, with me living very near and coming to see her every day. The idea was that she would share her time between mum and dad, but stay at dad’s term time during the week to avoid disruption and I would see her every day at dad’s when she wasn’t with me. Ex thinks being the main resident parent gives him the right to keep total control and his attitude towards me is often hostile. DD has spent only a handful of nights with me and day time contact at mine is severely restricted. He often claims DD is unwell or needs rest. I never know when I am going to see her until the very day and frequently have to keep sending texts/emails to get position from dad. He tries to control what we do when DD and I are together. Just to be clear: there is no reason at all for this, I am a ‘good enough’ mother. Cafcass wrote a report and dismissed his absurd claims against me. I have applied for a shared residency order where DD stays with dad term time, I see her every day at his, doing half of school runs, and we alternate weekends and split holidays 50/50, again, with DD being able to see the parent she is not staying with briefly every couple of days. In response, dad is pushing for sole residency. My worry is that he will continue to be difficult, even after order is granted as I propose, using flexibility as an excuse. Also: what are other, better, ways of doing this (shared contact arrangement) whilst minimizing contact between the parents and ensuring DD still sees both parents frequently, as she is used to, and also minimizing disruption to school routines? We are supposed to bring a witness for the hearing. The best candidate is a neighbour of ex’s it would be awkward for her afterwards, so she refused, but agreed to write statement in my support. My family all live abroad. Can my mother be a witness over Skype? Can someone who is not so close act as a witness and what is the purpose of the witness? What measures can be written into the order to stop father being so controlling or abusing flexibility clause? What is the likelihood of the order being granted as I propose? I am profoundly grateful for any insights or advice about this.