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Parenting

Fleeing with my child

178 replies

xx200xx · 03/02/2023 22:48

Hello everyone. Please no hide judgement.
I have fleed to a refuge with my 1 year old.

I feel like the worst mum ever, my son adores his dad and always smiles at him. I don't want to say he's a bad dad.
However the relationship became toxic the moment I was in it. It was rushed i was very stupid for believing he loved me at the start. I have been emotionally abused aswell as some s*xual abuse that happened durning my pregnancy. There's been times he's pushed me over and left me with bruises. He's cheated on my via social media before, I tried to leave him 7 months ago and he was threatening to kill himself etc so I stayed. It became more toxic because I wa struggling to cope with the betrayal but I felt so bad on leaving him. Hes recently decided he don't want me know more and things became so bad for my mental health. We was living together and he was doing everything he can to get a reaction or upset me so i had to leave because my mental state got so bad. Him, his dad and my own mother have turnt against me and trying to get my son took of me, there constantly ringing and saying stuff to social services and childrens center . Luckily the social worker can see what there trying to do and said she's proud of me. Parts of me feels like I have let my son down massively because he loves his dad so much and his father is very upset but still trying to hurt me in ways. I had to put my mental health first. But now Im just over thinking it all. What if I'm being dramatic about this and have caused my son to be apart from his dad?? He will see his dad again once it goes through court as he's already has threatened me with my son. I just feel like I have maybe gone to far by coming to a refuge and taking him away for a while? It's so hard my heads all over. I just wish people could see it from my perspective and that I done it for a reason. But what if I'm genuinely overreacting and it's not as bad as it seems? I read some stuff saying if a mother takes a baby away from there father then the mother must be a monster and not love the children 😢 just want some opinions on the situation as my heads all over. Tia x

OP posts:
xx200xx · 02/05/2023 23:18

So he's asked for 9 till 5 contact. Once a week.
I think this is way to long considering it will be 4 months since he last seen him.
I think 2 hours and 2 days a week.
I don't think I'm being unreasonable with my decision just thinking of my son. I have a conference on Thursday x

OP posts:
TheShellBeach · 02/05/2023 23:24

Has he ever even looked after your son for that length of time?
Does he know his routine?
I'm not surprised you're worried about it.

xx200xx · 02/05/2023 23:30

TheShellBeach · 02/05/2023 23:24

Has he ever even looked after your son for that length of time?
Does he know his routine?
I'm not surprised you're worried about it.

He's had him for a weekend once but would get his dad to have him the majority of it and he has had him overnight if I have not been home. However it's always caused him to become stressed.
My concern is my son won't be returned and due to the fact he's not seen him in 4 months. It will be scary for DS x

OP posts:
xx200xx · 02/05/2023 23:32

TheShellBeach · 02/05/2023 23:24

Has he ever even looked after your son for that length of time?
Does he know his routine?
I'm not surprised you're worried about it.

He don't know our sons routine. My son has dinner by 5pm and if drop of at pickup point is 5pm we won't get home till 6pm as it takes nearly an hour. Also my son don't wake up till 7:30/8:30 so it would mean waking him up. He don't know his nap routine either c

OP posts:
TheShellBeach · 02/05/2023 23:38

Make sure you write down all the points you want to make about contact, so that you don't forget to say any of them.

Zola1 · 03/05/2023 15:34

xx200xx · 02/05/2023 23:32

He don't know our sons routine. My son has dinner by 5pm and if drop of at pickup point is 5pm we won't get home till 6pm as it takes nearly an hour. Also my son don't wake up till 7:30/8:30 so it would mean waking him up. He don't know his nap routine either c

Have you got a third party for handover? I would ask for that to be recorded on the order, and that they meet in a public place etc.
I would point out your sons young age and that he needs to be home before 5pm to have his tea etc. But propose something don't just say no. Give them something to work with to show you are engaging (if you are...if you don't want contact to happen obviously don't make suggestions!).
2 hours x2 might not be doable for such a young child around work patterns etc. You could put it to your legal that he has your son say 11am to 2pm on Saturdays with a view to building it up if it goes well

TheShellBeach · 24/05/2023 14:27

Are you all right, OP? You haven't posted for a while.

xx200xx · 25/05/2023 20:37

TheShellBeach · 24/05/2023 14:27

Are you all right, OP? You haven't posted for a while.

I'm good thankyou. Still in refuge and still waiting on my next court hearing. Been a bit slow recently. X x x

OP posts:
TheShellBeach · 25/05/2023 20:45

Oh I'm glad you're okay!

xx200xx · 26/05/2023 15:54

So I received a letter from the courts today. I'm now being took to court by my sons grandfather for child abused and neglect and drug use.

His concerns are that he don't know where his grandson is.
I'm so scared now

OP posts:
TheShellBeach · 26/05/2023 16:46

xx200xx · 26/05/2023 15:54

So I received a letter from the courts today. I'm now being took to court by my sons grandfather for child abused and neglect and drug use.

His concerns are that he don't know where his grandson is.
I'm so scared now

He's just trying to upset you, @xx200xx
Have you shown the letter to your case worker at the refuge? These abusive men get their relatives involved just to be bastards.
They're not interested in your little boy - this is all about winning and control.

Bunnyishotandcross · 26/05/2023 16:51

Was the letter from a solicitor or actually the court? Ime a solicitor will write threatening all sorts of empty threats. Because they get paid to. Not because they believe their client...

xx200xx · 26/05/2023 16:58

Yes I have shown the letter and they said he's got no chance.

And yes the letter was from the official court not a solicitor

OP posts:
Bunnyishotandcross · 26/05/2023 17:08

Legally your whereabouts and that of his dgc are none of his business..

xx200xx · 26/05/2023 17:58

What are the chances of them taking my son. They have no proof of neglect or abuse. I'm just so worried the grandfathers lies will be heard

OP posts:
Bunnyishotandcross · 26/05/2023 18:12

Listening to him won't mean they believe him though....

TheShellBeach · 26/05/2023 18:18

xx200xx · 26/05/2023 17:58

What are the chances of them taking my son. They have no proof of neglect or abuse. I'm just so worried the grandfathers lies will be heard

Honey, they will hear him but I do not believe they will believe him.

Stay strong. You've done so well.

GOW56 · 26/05/2023 18:20

You have done the right thing. You will both be safer away from him. Even if he does not physically harm your child your husband's behaviour will harm him mentally. Boys absolutely do not need an abusing father as a role model.

Bunnyishotandcross · 26/05/2023 18:23

My ex spent years badmouthing me to court. They didn't believe a word. Ime they know a nasty vindictive twat when they see /hear one. Let him waste his money.

xx200xx · 26/05/2023 20:25

GOW56 · 26/05/2023 18:20

You have done the right thing. You will both be safer away from him. Even if he does not physically harm your child your husband's behaviour will harm him mentally. Boys absolutely do not need an abusing father as a role model.

Contact with my sons father is gonna be going ahead with my son when the times right as that's said it court.
However this is my child's grandfather that's applied for this

OP posts:
Bunnyishotandcross · 26/05/2023 21:47

Grandparents have no rights op. He is a chancer. He would have to convince a judge he had previously had a long standing and meaningful relationship with your dc before he could even make an application for access... If he were to expect any sort of contact it would be assumed to be during exes contact time. Not muscling in as a third parent...

xx200xx · 26/05/2023 22:48

Bunnyishotandcross · 26/05/2023 21:47

Grandparents have no rights op. He is a chancer. He would have to convince a judge he had previously had a long standing and meaningful relationship with your dc before he could even make an application for access... If he were to expect any sort of contact it would be assumed to be during exes contact time. Not muscling in as a third parent...

He was sticking his beak in from the very beginning. This was also the plan for him and his son to have contact with my son at the Same time. It's so hard

OP posts:
xx200xx · 10/07/2023 19:38

Just a quick update.

Sons started seeing his father a few hours a week, still ongoing court proceedings.

However I move into my new home on Wednesday!!! X

OP posts:
AdviceOnLife · 11/07/2023 14:10

Fantastic news about your house @xx200xx! I hope you and your son will have a very happy home.

How are you?
Is there any progress with the grandads case?

TheShellBeach · 12/07/2023 22:47

Great news about the new place!

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