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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

V difficult situation with ex h

26 replies

wombat2 · 10/06/2007 20:19

My exh usually saw our 2 dds every other weekend - as he lives with his mum, this was at his mum's house and she would help with childcare. dd2 has SN and his Mum would usually mainly help with her while dd1 would play with her Dad. This arrangement seemed to work ok (exh had been abusive to me during marriage and had had drink problem but this seemed to be resolved). 3 weekends ago he asked to look after the dds at my house as his Mum was tired and wanted a break. I agreed.

I was going away to a wedding that weekend with dp. Exh arrived and seemed ok. We set off but realised after 10 mins that we had forgotten the wedding present, so returned home for it. When we got back, we found the house open and unlocked, dd1 and exh gone and dd2 asleep alone in the house ! On ringing him, he had gone back to his house more than 30 miles away to collect items he had forgotten and 'to have something to eat'! There was plenty of food in my house as I'd made sure the fridge was stocked! He shouted abuse at me and threatened not to return with dd1 (who was crying in the background).

He returned eventually 2 hours later and had no excuses. I asked him to leave and he has not seen dds since.

What should I do with regards to access to the children for the future? How can I legally restrict access to when he is supervised? He just seems irresponsible and unable to be trusted with them on his own .

OP posts:
bigwombat · 17/10/2007 16:27

I am still drawing a blank over this. The supervised contact centres are incredibly expensive - the local one costs £3,000 for 10 sessions which is completely out of the question and I know exh would never contribute.

I have almost given up, but don't know whether dd1 will forgive me one day for not pursuing contact. Exh has written to her a few times, but has otherwise done nothing. Nothing for dd2's birthday either, so it doesn't look like he's bothered.

And apparently, my ex MIL left a message saying he had gone away for a month so I think the ball is now firmly in his court. If he wants access, I will let him pursue it at his expense .

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