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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Ex wants to see DS after a year of no contact.

251 replies

Ohb0llocks · 03/11/2016 19:08

Very long so apologies in advance!

Some may remember my previous posts on here about DS (2, 3 in Jan) and his dad.

Trying not to drop feed, exP was emotionally abusive when we were together and physically on a few occasions (police were never involved). He was barely at home out every weekend taking drugs, cheating, god knows what else. On one occasion he called DS a 'fucking retard' when he was around 4/5 months old.

We split up 2 years and 2 months ago, and up until last September he had contact each weekend, Saturday 9-6, then changed to Fri 6pm to sat 6pm in April 2015.

I facilitated this contact, did all pick ups and drop offs (45 mile round trip), provided everything DS needed in terms of food, nappies, clothes, bottles and formula (When he needed them). I received no maintenance as he wasn't working. He refused to have DS on various occasions when he'd been arrested, was hungover, still partying, or even on one occasion had sunburn Hmm

Last September I wrote My car off, therefore was unable to take DS to contact. He took this as me stopping seeing him and because very abusive, calling me names, saying DS probably wasn't his, then didn't get in contact for a month. He then got back in touch apologising promising the earth etc. Never ended up materialising as he got drunk and started sending abusive texts and emails. I informed the police and blocked his number/email.

He has been in touch a few times since then, none of which to enquire about DS, just to give me grief, insult me, and inform me that when he did see DS he would tell him 'his mummy is a cock loving slut' and take him and not return him. Each time I have reported this to the police.

I received a letter requesting I attend mediation in May, where then I spoke to a solicitor who advised me to decline this on the grounds of his emotional abuse which I did. We then wrote out to him offering supervised access in a contact centre, which he did not respond to.

Fast forward to today, I receive a phone call which is him. He apologised for everything. Asked how DS is. Told him he is fine, and doing very well at nursery, bright etc. He then asks how he can see him, says he will jump through every hoop. Informed him I don't know where to go from here, as this is the exact same conversation we had last year. Asked how long it would be before he didn't get his own way and became abusive again, and lo and behind 'he's changed'. Asked him why he never responded to the solicitors letter and he said 'my mates said that's where crackheads see their kids so I didn't bother'... wow.

Unsure where to go from here, he doesn't want to go through 'all the legal bullshit' as he calls it.

I don't want to deny the chance for DS to make his own decisions when he is old enough. However I have to protect him from being used as a pawn against his Mother, and myself, from the stress and anxiety this 'man' puts me through, and the threats he has made to not return DS to my care if he does have contact.

Any advice would be so appreciated Flowers

OP posts:
tipsytrifle · 11/12/2016 23:34

Your phone space is still very much your private territory, like your home, like your front gate (if you have one) - know what I mean? No-one gets to be there unless they have your permission. Own your space - all of it Chocolate

Ohb0llocks · 15/12/2016 13:50

Still nothing AFAIK.

My IDVA and I have done my exit plan today's, and I've gone down to low risk at the minute. She feels I've come very far and I don't need the service anymore. I have an appointment with s counseller tomorrow am, and freedom programme starts in Jan. Feeling good today.

OP posts:
Ohb0llocks · 31/12/2016 09:25

Just an update, still fuck all from him. Surely if he was that bothered I'd have heard something by now? Unless he's waiting to get Christmas and New Years out of the way...

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Ohb0llocks · 03/01/2017 11:20

Relative has been today, mentioned she has 3 big bags of presents for DS from him.

Not sure what to do with them. Any suggestions? I know they're for DS but still. Feels like he's done it to let me know he's still around. They are from last Christmas, last birthday and this Christmas...

OP posts:
Aussiebean · 03/01/2017 12:01

I have heard of mothers that have a strict no present rule when the fathers have tried to re establish contact.

They felt that it would be all about buying the love not actually earning it. Plus it put the mother in a hard place if they can't match it or it is inappropriate and they would have to take it away.

So they said no problem to the fathers trying to create a relationship but one of the conditions was no presents until it was firmly established.

Only know the result with one mother and the father didn't try very hard.

Ohb0llocks · 03/01/2017 12:12

I told him exactly that when he was contacting me but he clearly hasn't took it on board. Still haven't had a reply from the solicitors letter which he will have had no later than around 7th December...

Annoys me as he's put his relative in a really shit situation asking them to bring them over.

OP posts:
user1483300717 · 03/01/2017 13:55

Hi OP would you can get a child arrangement order in the court which says he lives with you, therefore if he can't take your ds without your consent or he will be arrested.

user1483300717 · 03/01/2017 13:58

It use to be called a residency order,

Ohb0llocks · 03/01/2017 14:28

I've spoke to my solicitor about this and she has stated that because he does live with me there is no point applying for the order, and that if he does choose to take me to court then we will ask for it then.

OP posts:
user1483300717 · 03/01/2017 14:35

I'm in kind of the same situation but my ex is from the USA. I was told by solicitor that it is safer getting something in place just incase something was to happen, but then I was also told by another the same thing they told you.
I don't know what to do for the best in this situation but I think I will feel safer with something from the court.

user1483300717 · 03/01/2017 14:38

I was also told my dc will be returned a lot quicker with a arrangements order in place. Otherwise it could take a long time.

Ohb0llocks · 03/01/2017 15:06

Well I've looked at them... definitely from last year!

OP posts:
Atenco · 03/01/2017 16:30

Your ex sounds extremely impulsive, so I really can't see him having the organisational skills that going to court would require.

You sound like a lovely mother, OP. I had to make certain decisions about my dd's relationship with her father that she queried as she was growing up, but not angrily, I might add. But before she was eighteen she understood and agreed with all of them.

Ohb0llocks · 03/01/2017 16:49

Good to know I'm not alone and I've found the most tremendous support here.

Instead of being pissed off I can now be baffled that he actually sent over out of date chocolate for his child. It was white.

And amongst other things a football. DS hates football Sad

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Ohb0llocks · 19/05/2017 11:06

Morning,

Just thought I'd post another little update for anyone who still may be interested in mine and DS's story!

Still heard nothing from the letter. He text on DS's Birthday asking to say happy birthday so I blocked the number.

DS is also going to be a big brother. At 14+4weeks and being an inquisitive 3 year old he is getting very impatient already and has a lot of questions.

Struggling with worry about being taken to court. If he gets in touch I will ignore everything but a legal letter (if that makes sense). Although it has been almost 6 months since the letter HmmI'm worried that when he finds out about the pregnancy (I still see his mother and grandmother occasionally) that this will prompt him to take court action. I wish I could cut them from my life but that wouldn't be fair on DS. Unless they visit when I'm not here? Someone else supervises? Although why should I keep my life a secret.

It's kind of a black cloud over what should be a happy time. I need to lift it!

OP posts:
MartinaMartini · 19/05/2017 11:14

Agree with above posters...contact centre/ same offer as before or nothing. Ideally offrred via the solicitor again. If he gets the arse with that then let him take you court - who will no doubt offer him the same as your current offer. I would suspect he'll do bugger all and crawl back under his rock until he next decides it's time to kid himself he's not a waste of oxygen.

Rainsbow · 19/05/2017 11:16

Just to add personal anecdote. My dd is 7. Last saw her biological dad when she was 2, he stopped paying maintenance when she was 4, no birthday/Xmas card just total radio silence since then. Two years ago, he requested Skype contact to "reintroduce himself", I geared dd up for this as she had no recollection of him...well, he didn't accept my Skype call and had been stone silent since. The only contact I've had was his happy agreement for me to change her surname. When she's older, if she wants to search for him, I'll support her to the moon, but for now, as with you and your child OP, I just have to protect her.

Ohb0llocks · 19/05/2017 11:21

He verbally told me he wasn't willing to go to a contact centre, and he couldn't even stick to a scheduled phone call, so we went with the NC letter.

It's just always in the back of my mind that he may crop up again

OP posts:
LooksBetterWithAFilter · 19/05/2017 11:43

The good thing about him doing bigger all about the letter and so much time passing is that he is getting less likely every day to be granted unsupervised contact even if he did take you to court.
It's so easy for us to sit here and say it when we are out the other side of it all mentally and physically but he is really very unlikely to take you to court. My ex threatened it regularly and told me he was going to buy the children everything they wanted to make them like him more Hmm 9 years later and he hasn't even bought them a pair of shoes. It's only the last two Christmas' that he's bothered with more than a token gift.
You are doing what's best for your son and you will get a little stronger ever month that passes.

Ohb0llocks · 19/05/2017 17:15

Thanks @LooksBetterWithAFilter , I know you're probably right, it's just always at the back of my mind, and I can't shake it! We will see a family and be like 'oh I bet they don't have this issue' and I become jealous of mums and dads that are still together because they don't have to worry about this!

OP posts:
Disappointednomore · 19/05/2017 20:17

Congratulations on the impending new baby Bollocks! Your mind is probably turning to this because you are worried about what could go wrong in what is now the lovely life you have built. As to the loser - if he does resurface all you have to do is make conciliatory noises and he will just disappear again once he realises he has to make some form of effort.

Great to see your happy update and hope DS loves being a big brother.

Ohb0llocks · 19/05/2017 21:19

Thank you!

You're right that's probably it. And I feel like I overcompensate a bit with DS too and I probably shouldn't.

I really need to get my thoughts straight on it all!

OP posts:
Ohb0llocks · 23/06/2017 20:50

Anyone still following, DS is getting a little...BROTHER!

Oddly, ex has recently announced his girlfriend is pregnant. A little way behind me.

DP seems to think this will make it even less likely he will bother with DS now.

OP posts:
Mainlywingingit · 23/06/2017 23:29

If you are worried about your son when he is older , I would write some
Letters over time Explaining the situation and sending them To yourself so they are dated and unopened. He can see these at the right age VERY worst case your ExP will struggle to manipulate with that evidence. Most likely you will never have to give it to your son.

Sounds horrible for you OP and I would protect your son at this important stage in his life and development.

Ohb0llocks · 24/06/2017 08:40

Thanks a good idea mainly but I'm not sure what I would write in them?

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