Child not wanting to go with their dad

[MissyTB]

My dd is 4

My stbxh is in the process of moving out as he has bought a house elsewhere. He is stalling the sale of the marital home as he likes being able to come and go as he likes

I'm divorcing him as he is a controlling, jealous bully. I want to sale to go through asap so that I have privacy as he won't be allowed in my new house

This morning he arrived from his other house at 2.30am. Took our 4 year old from her bed and put her into his bed (I have asked him repeatedly not to do this)

He told me he was taking her to nursery this morning. She said she wanted me to do it. I tried talking her into going with daddy and I would help her get into his car. He was so upset and fighting against going in his car as she wanted me to take her. She was screaming and desperately unhappy. He smacked her on her leg and told her to stop

I told him to never hit her again. He replied "I will parent whoever I want" and drove off

Legally where do I stand? This is breaking my heart

I’d call the non emergency number and tell them about the abuse

I’m worried they’ll say I’m wasting their time

Excellent advice from MrsBertBibby, what MN is for.

Good luck OP, it’ll be behind you both soon

I'm not legally qualified. But my understanding is that a prohibited steps order can be heard by a family court the very same day if a child is at risk. Which your child is. This is horrific behaviour on the part of your child's father. It has to be challenged. It is quite separate to the terms of the divorce.

What a shit this man is.

Just call 101. You aren't wasting their time.

It's not worth not 'rocking the boat' at the expense of your daughter - how many more times will she get her legs slapped before he signs the order? Do as Bert says.

Advice given is spot on.

Has he no consideration for the child? Hatd enough for her to understand what is going on, Daddy being there part time, and then he forces her into a car and slaps her? Never is there a more important time to listen to the child and try to make her feel loved by both parents and that she is not the cause of the breakdown. Plus giving her a tiny bit of control (like who takes her to nursery) will help her feel she is not completely helpless and can express herself.

He is an arsehole. Tell him you will be bolting the door at 10.30pm. If he isn"t home, then he can go elsewhere. Tell him to think how your DD is feeling and that he is alienating her by his behaviour.