Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

Son's dad making life difficult. Maintenance/custody

5 replies

DollFace13 · 02/10/2017 12:35

Hi everyone.

I really don't know where to start.
Me and my DS dad split up in June and he moved out of my house. He finally got his new place last month ( he was at a friend's for 3 months) in the time he was at his friends house he never had DS over night ( many reasons). My ex stated that once he got his own place things would be different and he would have our DS and weekends and he works full time.

While this has all been going on the past 4 months My ex and I have been trying to work through our issues but it's just not working now as we are always at each other.
I mentioned he should start paying maintenance for our son which he agreed . As he has him 1 or 2 nights he will be paying full amount. We agreed to an amount and both said let's try to keep CSA out of it ( well he brought it up and I said ok)
He's paid twice (aug & sept) but each time I've had to keep asking for it. We agreed every 1st of the month.
But he's paid eventually and that's that so I let it go.
Only this month (October) he's making every little thing difficult.
So last month it was my birthday ( we were still trying to make 'US' work at the time)
But I didn't have a night out because it was my sister's wedding and hen, so that took over September and money .. so I had planned a night out on 7th October (this Saturday) and my friends are coming from Scotland (where I used to live before DS, moved to be here for ex/son) and last week I mentioned it to my 'now ex' about times of having our DS and I mentioned this night out in message as we were having a happy conversation on WhatsApp then as soon as I mentioned I was going out he stopped messaging me . I asked if he was upset and all I got was abuse about if it was the other way round I'd be mad ect then he avoided messaging me for 5 days but not before a shit storm of abuse. First. He collected our son Saturday and that evening was trying to message me all friendly. I was just civil as by this point being dismissed all week had taken its toll and plus I have the flu and had been at hospital with my chest. So i wasn't in the mood for him to just brush everything under the carpet and act like nothing had happened.
Then yesterday he was texting all fine and as soon as I mentioned maintenance he stopped contact. Well until 19.45 last night when he messaged me "we're on our way"
I had replied where?
He tried to say he was bringing DS back home and I had asked why? Apprantly because it's Sunday . To which I replied you have him until Monday. Then he tried to say no, it's just Saturday night . So we argued about this as we agreed Saturday night & Sunday night. He also said he's not paying maintenance because I don't deserve that much and that the money is for me not DS. Which I had issue with and called Him 'disgusting' & 'vile' to say that .
So here we are it's Monday and I get a message this morning saying ' I hope you're up, we are on our way'
Then 40 minutes later another text saying " turned around traffic is too bad . is gonna have him until i finish work" ( blank is his sister)
Then another message 10 mins later saying " it will be tomorrow now"
So I messaged as I just knew he is doing everything to get out of paying maintenance. He also suggested he has our DS for 4 nights and me 3. He said he will have. Him from Friday until Tuesday. The problem I have with this I'm DS mother and currently do not work, DS is 16 months and until he's at nursery I can do much.
My ex works full time 10 hour days from home and driving around. He can't give DS his full attention except weekends and that's not fair on DS.
I just don't know what to do. He's very inconsistent with everything, contact, times and dates. Just when it suits him.

So what Do I do? take this to court? Contact CSA
I'm really just looking for more advice and peoples experiences.

I moved from Scotland leaving all my friends and mum to be here for my ex so he could be apart of our son's life and see him. I just don't know what to do now Confused

OP posts:
Brandnewstart · 02/10/2017 13:17

I am in a similar position OP. You need to nip it in the bud and formalise it. Your son is very young and you are the primary care giver. Get some legal advice.
It's very difficult not to ask for help as my family are 4 hours away but I do my best to pay for sitters now and I have a good friend who will have them if needs be. I won't ask him anymore because he then pushes for more contact again and I feel indebted to him.
I am three years down the line and it is still ongoing. Please dont end up in my position.

Ijustlovefood · 02/10/2017 13:22

Fuck that, you are his Mother and at 16 months I believe he should be with you. Your ex will have to work around you!

Santawontbelong · 02/10/2017 13:22

See a solicitor about attending mediation to arrange proper contact. You need to apply for residency so he can't just 'keep' the dc whenever it suits him. And ring the cms ASAP. Tell him all correspondence to be through his solicitor also. Stop replying to his opportunities to start a row. .

Mum4Fergus · 02/10/2017 13:23

Been there OP, and it's crap Sadhand anything financial over to CSA/CMS and let him deal with them.

I eventually arranged contact via Solicitor which has helped to an extent but he still does his best to change plans. Keep communication to a minimum and only in relation to your DS...

Would you consider coming back to Scotland?

greenberet · 02/10/2017 13:50

He's abusing you emotionally and financially and using your DS too which is not on. If you play by his rules he will be 'nice' if he feels like it - if you piss him off as you have done by wanting to go out for your birthday he will muck you about with money and contact - this may escalate - I don't know how long you have moved but if you need support you may need to consider going back to Scotland

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread