Background... ended an abusive relationship 5 weeks ago. My final straw was him coming home drunk and on gear and bringing it into the house.
Fast forward... things have been really difficult.
I have tried my absolute best to remain polite and friendly with ex especially around the children during pick up/drop off.
Currently he sees kids on a weds 5-7pm and a Sunday 10-6pm. He will not collect his belongings. Each time he collects the kids he wants an item. I also have my loft full of his mum's belongings. He will text before pick up asking if it's okay to pick up. He will text Friday evening to have the kids Saturday morning for 2 hours before football. He will swear and call me names in front of the children. He will barge past me at the front door and look around my house. I do not bite as much as I want to I ignore and just say not in front of the kids. I have asked about support financially and he won't help. He has bought a caravan to live in year round but put his name on his mums flat for council tax to pretend he's living there. He says when he's settled he wants the kids 50/50 but expects me to pay for childcare. My eldest is not his biological daughter and her own dad has not been around for 6 years and all she's known is my ex for the last 3 years. I don't want to break her heart by stopping contact and yet if things go to court I'm sure it won't look good me not protecting her?
Today I did not want abuse from him so I got my sister to meet him and collect the kids. He text me saying I was breaking the kids hearts and how dare I do that and he will only collect from me at my house.
I have been having therapy the last few weeks to get over the last few years and honestly feel like I am drowning. I am putting a brave face on for the kids and remain polite and tell them to have fun when they leave. I don't rise to anything. He is telling people I did not show him love or affection and he left me and posts pictures about how he adores the kids and being the best daddy and it makes me sick when people don't know what's really gone on and what I went through.
Regardless of our past relationship I want to do what's best for my girls and move forward.
How do I go about this?