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Liability order - now refusing to see his daughter

7 replies

Lorski · 09/10/2022 23:47

How do I support my daughter in coming to terms with her DF refusing to see her?

long story short… CMS have gone for a liability order to recover nearly £3k in unpaid maintenance. For years he has lid a pitiful amount of £65 per week because he’s self employed and doesn’t declare all his income. Last year when they did their annual review, he had for some unknown reason declared his proper income on his tax return so his payments were set at over £300 per month. But he continued to pay the £65. They eventually went onto collect and pay which he ignored and eventually have applied for a LO.

when he got the notice he contacted my mum (we have no contact … long story!) and basically just got abusive about me and his parting shot was “I’m not having DD anymore, I’m taking (me) to court for 50:50 so I don’t have to pay her anything”. This was early June. He’s now not seen her since.

short backstory, this isn’t the first time he’s disappeared out of her life. During 2020 when covid was happening, he disappeared from April until December when I eventually text saying DD was upset saying she doesn’t have a daddy anymore. In January he started seeing her again. He has her every other Saturday (no overnights) and since then I’ve offered more (ie alternate Sundays in addition to alternative Saturdays).m and time in school hols. He ignored every time.

so whilst she loves him, I wouldn’t say she is overly bonded to him. However she is starting to ask questions as to why she hasn’t seen him and making excuses for him , maybe it’s work, maybe it’s x,y,z. I’ve done everything I can to assure her it’s nothing she’s done, but that mummy, nanny and grandad are all blocked so can’t contact him at the moment and I am sure that just like he came back before, he will come back again this time. What else can I do to help her deal with this? I’m devastated for her 😢

OP posts:
JanglyBeads · 21/10/2022 23:51

How old is she OP?

Lonecatwithkitten · 22/10/2022 06:02

I suspect he is threatening 5:50 to get you stop the CMS.

So you have texts/emails offering more contact, how foolish is going to look going to court for 50:60 and you say well he hasn't seen her since X and prior to that here is evidence that I offered all this extra contact that he didn't take up.
You have been very reasonable and supportive of their relationship.
I would say that unfortunately at this moment Dad is not coming visit her - don't cover for him. She will be sad and agree with her that it's sad.

THisbackwithavengeance · 22/10/2022 06:37

Be breezy and matter of fact. "Yes, Daddy isn't coming to see us at the moment but it's nothing you have done and not your fault, etc etc" Let her be sad but distract nonetheless.

My XH used to do this: punish me through the kids. Twats.

Igmum · 22/10/2022 07:26

Agree. Don't cover for him. Tell the truth compassionately and help her label and process her sadness. He's a knob. So sorry OP

Lorski · 22/10/2022 11:31

She’s nearly 8. She didn’t see him much up until the age of 2, then regular contact up to the covid year incident.

OP posts:
Lorski · 22/10/2022 11:33

I agree that I need to stop covering for him. Last year he didn’t get her a bday present so I wrapped up one of the Xmas gifts I’d bought for her and said it was from him as she was so gutted the year before when he hadn’t seen her for months and didn’t even wish her a happy birthday. It’s coming up to her bday soon and I know it will be the same this year but I feel torn as I don’t think I should do that again this year. But I know she’s going to be gutted again 😢

OP posts:
forrestgreen · 22/10/2022 12:02

Yes stop covering for him. But also stop saying that you're sure he'll be in touch.

Something like, dads not in touch with anyone atm. I can't message or ring him as I'm blocked. But he can still message or ring me. If he gets in touch I promise I'll tell you.

Re Xmas, that's very upsetting for her. Perhaps a white lie, maybe dad is saving a present for you.

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