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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

Appointing a third party for communication?

3 replies

frapperules · 28/08/2022 12:03

I've name changed for this thread.

My daughter left her abusive ex and has been attempting to co-parent for the last few years. A refuge, police and CPS was involved.

A while back she had to ask us to do communication on her behalf due to the way he used messages to further abuse her - accusing her of neglect etc. We are now finding this impossible to do. He still sends the same messages and seems incapable of controlling himself. We attempt grey rock where appropriate, but some issues do need to be addressed or facts corrected. If we could we would report him for harrassment, but someone has to communicate with him for the children's sake, so we have put up with it till now.

We are happy to devote the time and effort to facilitate communication, but it is causing immense stress and eating up our time. We help a lot in many practical ways, including doing hand overs and child care. I suspect this will end up back in the family courts eventually, but would like to avoid as long as possible. It will not be pleasant.

My question is, can we insist on him appointing someone to communicate on his behalf too? Is it even ok to ask? Does anyone have experience of a situation like this and could give us any advice? I know we can't force him to do this, but we need some support and ideas.

OP posts:
SpringCalling · 28/08/2022 12:08

can you switch to all communication through one of the co-parenting apps? eg family wizard. Lots of lawyers recommend this in high conflict situations. it means there's a clear record of what is agreed / any bad behaviour etc. But often curbs the bad behaviour as all aware this is a record.

SpringCalling · 28/08/2022 12:10

I'd also add don't be afraid of this ending up in court - it could be the best way to get clear boundaries in place so that he can't continue to have so much control.

frapperules · 28/08/2022 12:13

My daughter tried that a few months ago and that's what caused us to take over. He was on it constantly, micromanaging with every facility the app had. It didn't stop the messages and she was getting constant notifications. Because he doesn't swear on it nothing was triggered to show the messages as abusive. It doesn't work for men like him.

OP posts:
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