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Was this neglect?

37 replies

useyourloaf · 05/03/2012 15:02

My DS has been poorly for past few days with a runny nose, sore throat and sore ear. He said his ear hurt once on Saturday evening but no mention of ear after that. Off his food, grizzly, running a bit of a temperature etc - nothing too out of ordinary.

Received a letter from ExP's solicitor last week telling me that I apparantly had not always communicated important information to him. Hmm So to be on best behaviour I let him know by text on Sat PM that DS was poorly and also this may disrupt contact this week (mon/tues). He phoned me to tell me to get doctor out straightaway. DS was asleep so I said I'd see how he was and didn't think that was necessary at the moment and I'd certainly be taking him to doctor monday morning, but I'd see how he was between now and then. This was not good enough and I got 2 further texts telling me to do what he'd told me basically.

Sunday morning DS breezy enough but he had become tired and grizzly in afternoon so I did take him to out of hours doctor - no home visit option. Had to wait hour and half. Doctor gave DS antibiotics and said he had inflamed throat and ear.

Anyway ExP is now accusing me of neglect and telling me I'm an irresponsible mother. Angry He's got it all on record for the lawyers.

Did I neglect my son? Should I be worried?

Yes I'm asking for reassurance yet again.

OP posts:
michglas · 05/03/2012 15:06

WTF so you didn't go running to the doctors at the first sign of your son's illness, most people don't. Your ExP is being a first-class prick , don't let him get to you.

LilacWaltz · 05/03/2012 15:09

What did the sol letter refer to? What important info?

He sounds barking!

LunarRose · 05/03/2012 15:11

No of course not!!!

However if like me you are dealing with a shitty ex, it's well worth getting kids into the doctors at the first sign of a temperature . Make your life so much easier if you can say - well the doctor didn't think much of it/already got antibiotics

PostBellumBugsy · 05/03/2012 15:13

He has got what on record? No court in the land is going to think what you did over the weekend is neglectful. He is just trying to intimidate you. Ignore it.

cestlavielife · 05/03/2012 15:27

no you did the right thing - go to gp too soon they tell you it is a virus. you have to wait a few days anyway to see if it goes away. it is NOT neglect.

a diff doctor anyway might have sent you hom with nothing - ou gps ver very reluctant to preescribe ABs even when inflamation ...

useyourloaf · 05/03/2012 15:31

That's pretty much what I thought, but he's got the backing of NP as well - she's got DC's of her own and is separated/divorced not sure which. Why the hell doesn't she tell him to stop being such an idiot.

LilacWaltz - there was no reference to specific dates/particular conversations, only said nursery, childminders and doctors appointments. It's nonsense - I did communicate info to him about these things it was just not what he wanted to hear.

PostBellumBugsy - er well....nothing really on record just that I didnt do his bidding.

OP posts:
PointTheFinger · 05/03/2012 15:36

He is clutching at straws - trying to make a case against you.

in no way was that neglect.

PostBellumBugsy · 05/03/2012 15:38

Don't be too rattled by the letter from the solicitor either. Anyone can instruct a solicitor to write something. It doesn't necessarily mean anything.

Make sure you keep a record of all communications with your ex. The fact that he doesn't like your communications is entirely different to you omitting to tell him stuff.

titchy · 05/03/2012 15:44

I'd be writing his solicitor a really long letter that he will have to send on thereby incurring huge costs.

boredandrestless · 05/03/2012 15:47

IMO important info is:

dc is in hospital
dc is being bullied
dc is currently having night terrors/sleep walking/afraid of ..../a bit clingy
we are moving house/school
I am moving my hot new lover in
I am getting remarried

Stuff that directly affects the dcs and that the NRP needs to know to help care for them.

Not - dc has a temp. Minor things just don't need to be conveyed every 5 mins.
If he is pushing things i would perhaps ask solicitors for clarification of what things you should inform him of and what isn't essential.

You were not neglectful so don't let him worry you.

useyourloaf · 05/03/2012 15:51

DS due to stay overnight tonight and tomorrow. Not staying tonight but really don't want DS to stay over tomorrow either, one, because he's still poorly and two, because as things escalate I'm becoming increasingly uncomfortable with DS being there. ExP is trying to make a case against me. Can I do anything about contact?

OP posts:
LilacWaltz · 05/03/2012 15:51

Look, he has PR? Then it's HIS responsibility( and right) to get copies of medical and educational documents/info. Not yours to run around informing him of everything.

FannyBazaar · 05/03/2012 18:27

boredandrestless has a good list there. I think that's about as far as communication with me to my ex goes, he gives less information the other way!

OP is your ex informing you of every single thing that happens during his contact?

My ex tells me sweet FA, including failing to mention if DS has been fed or not, much more important when he was pre-verbal and being not very good at reporting what he had done.

My DS had an ear infection when he was younger that wasn't picked up on for about a week, he was sent home from nursery twice in the week for not being quite himself and being very sleepy or hot. Nothing specific, like your DS, said once ear hurt but then no further sign of it. I wouldn't take my DS to the GP just for a temperature. He is harassing you.

BorderDancer · 07/03/2012 20:05

Not even close to neglect. However I'm starting to get the picture of your ex so as soon as I read the first sentence I had an idea what was coming!

I'm actually starting to wonder what he's logging all this for? Sorry if that's been answered on another thread? Does he think he's going to get full/joint custody? I get the feeling his lawyer will have his/her work cut out trying to not make him look like the gobshite he is. His true colours will show in a courtroom where he's not able to call the shots you mark my words.

MagicHouse · 07/03/2012 21:10

Not in the least neglectful - most people will wait a while to see what develops from a temperature. Bearing in mind the abusive texts you have from your ex, I wouldn't worry about his demands etc. He won't have a leg to stand on when that all comes out.
He sounds a nightmare, but it sounds like you're doing all the right things so ignore him as much as you can. When you see your solicitor, tell him/her you are worried about his abusive behaviour (which is very apparent from his texts) and ask how you go about discussing/ querying/ changing contact based on that.
xxx

mamas12 · 07/03/2012 21:58

look it sounds like you are still a little afraid of him, I used to be like that with my ex. Even this week he sent an intimidating email and this time I laughed/snorted/got angry/laughed again then ignored him.
Please stop engaging You don't have to tell him everything except the bare essentials as in life threatening orimportant dates etc.
This bullying behaviour to try to get into your life by demanding to know the minutiae of the day to day stuff is not on, I bet he didn't ask you things before you split did he?
Stop telling him things and ignore the sols letter it is unenforcable thing just a threatening letter that you could build a case agaist him with. the prat.

mamas12 · 07/03/2012 22:02

It sounds like you are still afraid of him and I remember that feeling.
Stop engaging with him he has no right to intrude on the minutae of your day to day life.
I bet he didn't ask about these sort of things before you split did he?
Ignor e his threatening letter from sols and just log it against your case about his harrassement of you.
Stop giving him anything except the barest essential info.

Tell him that as he is ill ds needs to stay at home with you so you could look after him otherwise it could be considered neglectful making him travel while he is ill
The prat

useyourloaf · 07/03/2012 23:18

thanks for all your support again x

It just goes on and on this situation and the latest has confirmed to me that ExP must be deluded because I think he actually needs someone to explain to him where he's in the wrong.

DS was much better on Monday and via text I agreed albeit reluctantly to contact as usual on Tuesday. ExP texted back that he'd come and pick DS up at 11. I pointed out that 11 was a little late and it was his usual contact day, so I'd already made plans (solicitor appt) and he would need to come earlier or later (and later would not leave much of day left).

He phoned my home phone and left a message, as I didn't answer the phone, saying he was coming at 11 and I'd better be there. He phoned a further three or four times very aggresively telling me I was denying him contact with his son if I wasn't there at 11, that I'd lied about DS being ill because I didn't want him to see DS, that I should be ashamed of myself as a mother, that my son would be very proud of me in the future, that they (he and NP) had a lawyer and they could pay - he was nearly wetting himself with delight in telling me that part. He said, without any hint of doubt in his voice that "he can do anything"! He truly feels invincible with "his" newly accquired wealth.

And the best thing....I laughed at these messages...because they were soooooooo ridiculous.

DS could hear his aggression too though. Angry

Then he phoned back and said "take DS to my mum early in the morning" and I quickly picked up phone to tell him that I wouldn't be doing that either.

An hour later his NP calls my mobile asking reasonably on his behalf, what was happening with pick-up in morning. I explained situation, and she offered to pick-up DS at 9am to which I agreed (although later I felt really, really uncomfortable with that decision). Lo and behold ExP turns up at 9am to collect DS.

Solicitor is working on draft in response to his ridiculous letter and stating in no uncertain terms that his behaviour is unaaceptable and must stop.

I don't know what he is ultimately pushing for to be honest. The solicitors letter he sent states he wants joint residence which I'm pretty sure he thinks means 50/50 - not workable in this case, not good for DS, and, as my solicitor assures me, not likely. I just hope she's right.

Most importantly, DS is well, with me, and it's peaceful ATM.

OP posts:
useyourloaf · 07/03/2012 23:31

sorry mamas12 I meant to say, I'm not sure that I'm scared of him as such, but rather that my self-belief has been eroded to such a point that he is able to exploit the fact that I am likely to question my own judgement. (I was with him for 10 years)

But I'm seeing more and more clearly and getting some self-belief back in the process.

Thanks MN's x

OP posts:
AGoodDad · 11/03/2012 15:34

Did you offer him alternate contact or just tell him he cant have this one? My guess is the former. Next time tell him he is unwell and immediately make alternate contact arrangements maybe with a bit extra.
The sooner you can remove solicitors from the process the better for the child.

ChippingInNeedsCoffee · 11/03/2012 15:53

Blimey - he's a constant pain in the arse isn't he. Not to mention a deluded idiot. Just keep doing what you know is best for your DS. Don't take him to the Dr if you don't feel he needs to go etc - don't allow your Ex to change who you are as a parent. Don't let him make you feel insecure in your parenting. Just keep notes of all the little dramas, conversations etc with your ex. and pray he gets abducted by aliens

AGoodDad · 11/03/2012 15:58

Who exactly would joint residence not be good for? you or the child. If dad is close to childs school and would be able to care for him then there is no reason to not do joint residence.
By good I also don't mean what you or your solicitor has convinced you is good. Solicitors only act in their own interest, the keep you fighting to ensure you go to court as much as possible. They don't care one little bit about your child.
If you can work more time for dad to have then do it, chuck the vultures and be comprimising with dad and give your child the benefit of two good parents (not bitter fighting muppets). That will be in the childs interests, not the rubbish solicitors tell you.
Why not say to dad you will get it formally agreed in court that you have 50/50 residence and tell him you want to work a plan that will give him as much care as he can cope with.
Your solicitor will of course fight tooth and nail and start trying to convince you how bad it is because it is not in their interest.
There is nothing worse for children that solicitors and court. Of course they'll do their best to convince you otherwise as they make money.
Give your child what it really needs, good EQUAL parents who aren't full of themselves thinking they're better or they own the child!

ThisIsExtremelyVeryNotGood · 11/03/2012 16:04

With all due respect AGoodDad, there is a lot more going on with this poster then mentioned on this thread. Solicitors are involved for a very good reason. Kindly take your campaign off this thread and leave the OP alone.

AGoodDad · 11/03/2012 16:55

Really? what?

AGoodDad · 11/03/2012 17:03

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