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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

DC going overnight... cannot get my head around it plus they don't want to

56 replies

OhMy2017 · 08/06/2017 17:26

So DC under 5 are going to stay overnight with narc ex for first time. They don't want to. I promise that there is no influence from me. What do I do?

Plus, I cannot get my head around why children so young must. How do I manage all of this?

I would value advice/opinions please. Thank you for your time.

OP posts:
SleepingTiger · 10/06/2017 20:50

Ring the police.

YoshimiBTPR · 10/06/2017 20:56

OP sorry I was quoting gluteus who has posted further.

Ditsy1980 · 10/06/2017 21:05

I used to encourage DD (7) to go to see her Dad. Drop her off for contact screaming in tears. She was sick with anxiety around it. I had enough, stopped "encouraging" her to go. Had to take her to GP and then CAMHS for the anxiety. I felt vindicated as CAMHS recommended no contact, recognised exh actual narc tendencies...exh did not take kindly to that. Stopped paying maintenance, claimed I'd lied to the therapist to make her say that (even though we'd had joint and separate sessions as parents alongside DD's sessions).
I just wish I'd stood up and stopped DD going sooner.
However, this was in August, had only phone contact for almost 6 months but then DD asked to see her Dad. She's been going once a week for 2 hours since February. That's enough for DD. Enough for me as I don't have to worry. Enough for exh as he has to put minimal effort in but can claim to be a good dad.
I'll never encourage her to go for longer again. If she asks then fine. If he asks, well then he can take me to court...

ohforfoxsake · 10/06/2017 21:10

OP - don't lose sight of the fact that your children will have your values, that you are authentic and the core of their lives are with you. I'm afraid you do have to build some resilience to this.

You have to accept that he will do things differently, and they won't have the same quality of care as they receive with you.

But, they will be safe and they will be looked after.

DC4 (9) will come back having not showered, not cleaned her teeth. She goes for one night a month with her siblings. And has nothing much to do with him outside of this. He doesn't engage or attempt to get to know her. The others go more often - individually - once a week. I hate it, but it's their choice. To me they are pandering to him. They do nothing, save play on gadgets and eat crap food. Even when they are all there, He will go out - does what he wants to do, with DS2 who is his favourite.

I have had to accept XH is how he is. Narcisstic, possibly personality disorder (I encourage you to read Walking on Eggshells). The only thing I can do is instill my values, our family values, and show them really good care and attention.

All I can say is minimise the contact, encourage them to go. You have to support them in this. They will always come back to you.

It's horrible, my heart goes out to you.

IndieTara · 11/06/2017 12:53

OP you have to get used to the fact that your DC will probably have a different routine when at their dads.
Eventually they will get to know how things work in both homes and be able to separate them.
And yes I have a DDin the same boat who has been doing this for 5 yrs since she was 3
We have a court order though, it made things much easier

user1486334704 · 11/06/2017 19:30

Agree with keeping a record of anything that would be considered a real 'welfare issue' whilst child(ren) are with their other parent.

However, it's clearly very easy to cross the line into stalking behaviour and cross examining the child(ren) about every aspect of their life at the other house, including encouraging 'spying missions' on your ex partner and his or her new partners. This often happens and is very unhealthy for children to grow up thinking reconnaissance missions are 'normal' behaviour.

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