What do I do

[Chron88]

I am 6 months pregnant, my SO has three children. His 7 year old son has extreme behaviors and is on medication. Within the last few weeks he has hit me on three separate occasions, he has no remorse and I know it will happen again. We’ve struggled with the idea of a mental health hold as he has also made threats to hurt himself and others, and this aggressive behavior seems to be getting worse. We have shared, week on/week off custody and the transitions are very difficult. After he hit me again this morning, punching me with a closed fist in the back/abdominal area I told him the next time he hits me I will call the cops as he could injure our unborn child and myself. I’m not sure what good this would do but I am at a loss.

I think the approach might be different if

• this is new or has always been the case
• this is something that happens whoever he is with
• he has diagnosed, or suspected special needs

Obviously consistency of approach across both households would help him the most, but I know that isn't always possible when parents have separated and set up different homes and lives.

Do you have anything like Pause in your area?
It is worth speaking with the school / local Children's Centre / HV / School visiting service to see if there is something equivalent.

Edited to say - I don't think calling the police is going to help anyone in this situation. What exactly do you expect them to do ?? Threatening anyone with anything you aren't going to then do is also a very poor idea.

Thank you for the link to the pause service. I don’t believe we have anything like this in our area but will do more research into this.

Unfortunately, these are not new behaviors. They just seem to be getting worse. He does receive behavioral intervention services and I have a close relationship with his prior therapist. It has been recommended due to his behaviors in the past that a mental health hold or assessment might be beneficial so his medications can be addressed.

There is a major difference between the two households and there is typically about a two or three day. Period of transition where the behaviors are more aggressive or worse, sometimes to the point where I I feel unsafe, even sleeping in our home.

The aggressive behaviors just seem to be getting worse. I will look into any type of programs we have in our area that are like pause from what I read it may be beneficial. The thought of calling law-enforcement is also to document the increase in these behaviors if for when it does come time to place him on a mental health hold. And to let him know, there are consequences for these aggressive actions. I have worked with children for many years, not sure I have encountered one with this much rage.