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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

Son says he doesn’t want to come to my house anymore

9 replies

RoseBird95 · 10/11/2024 13:23

Hi I’m looking for some guidance or advice from anyone who may have been in this situation or similar. My oldest son who’s 11 nearly 12 moved to his dad’s around 2 years ago it wasn’t an easy transition as we went through the courts and they decided he should stay with me and his younger brother but Everytime he came back from his dads he’d cause problems or lie about things because he wanted to live with his dad. I agreed to him living with his dad but he comes down every other weekend and in the half terms that was agreed in court. Since he’s been with his dad our relationship has broken down his dad has nothing nice to say about me and isn’t a very nice person period. My youngest son comes home from weekend visits from his dad’s saying his dad and my oldest son are saying bad things about me. Also my youngest son doesn’t want to go to his dads and refused to come out of his classroom on Friday when his dad picked him up but I still send him as it’s in a court order and he’s only 7 so no one will listen to what he wants my youngest doesn’t have a great relationship with his dad because he didn’t see him for nearly 5 years of his life his dads choice but then when he came back into our lives all this happened. My oldest son is now saying he doesn’t want to come down anymore and that he hates me. I’m really unsure what to do and how I can try and rebuild my relationship with him. I really don’t want to have to go back to court as this is my oldest saying he doesn’t want to come to my house anymore but I haven’t seen him now for weeks and his dad is making excuses when I’m trying to put things in place to rebuild our relationship.

OP posts:
PureBoggin · 10/11/2024 13:37

There can be lots of reasons why a child doesn't want to see their non-residential parent. But given what you've said about your ex bad-mouthing you in front of the children, it sounds like there is some parental alienation happening. In your situation, I would make a formal request through solicitor that your ex attends a parenting apart/shared parenting course that highlights the harms of parental alienation (it's a form of abuse). If he refuses or attends but continues his abuse of his children, then I would apply to the court for a change of residency again. Evidence shows that children fare better after separation when they have good quality relationships with both parents. Court orders will only work if there is a willingness from the other parent. Mediation is another avenue where you can explore the harm to your son by being alienated from one of his parents.

In terms of your relationship with your son - the key things are:

Don't get frustrated or angry with him. Let him know that you're sorry he doesn't want to come but you won't force him. That you love him very much.

Use other methods of communication - keep checking in on him. Even if it's just a WhatsApp message, phone, or video call. If he starts to refuse these then set up an email address for him and send messages ,photos funny thing that reminds you of him to this email. When he's back in your life, you can give him access to these and he will know you have always thought of him.

Play the long game. Be kind, respectful, warm and loving. Do not bad mouth his father in retaliation. He will remember this.

I know that in Scotland there is an organisation called Shared Parenting Scotland who have resources for people who are being alienated from a child. Might be worth a look on their website.

RoseBird95 · 10/11/2024 13:53

The parent alienation has always been there since he came back into our lives. Even the social worker who worked on our court case could see this and the judge said we would need to do a shared parenting course but this was never actually put in place.

I'm really struggling with giving up and not seeing him but I also don’t want to push him away. I do message him every week and check in to see how he is and I do get a message or two back just very blunt. The last time he was down he seemed to have fun and was asking to go places and for things when he next came down and now all of a sudden the last few weeks this has started it’s like it’s come out of the blue so it’s confused me.

I haven’t actually spoke to my son on the phone or in person but received messages from his phone which I’m unsure wether it was his dad or him because of the way things were worded it was like an adult speaking. When I’ve spoke to his dad he just says he’s not getting involved and that I’m just going to push him away.

I am picking my youngest son up today from his dad and I’m hoping to be able to speak to my oldest son, all I want to do is listen to what he has to say but my ex is saying he won’t tell me how he feels because he is scared I won’t listen to him but he’s never expressed anything like this before to me so I’m unsure why he feels I won’t listen to him. I just want to understand why he feels this way and what I can do to support him.

OP posts:
PureBoggin · 10/11/2024 13:56

If social work was involved previously is it worth speaking to them again. I would be concerned about not speaking to him directly, so much so that I would insist upon it.

nomorehocuspocus · 10/11/2024 13:57

Since there is a court order in place meaning your younger ds has to go and visit his dad's, is there not a similar arrangement in place for the older child having to visit you?

RoseBird95 · 10/11/2024 14:03

Yes it’s in a court order that the children spend time with us both so one weekend with dad one weekend with mum and we split the half terms I was thinking of ringing the social services to see if there’s anything they can help with but they signed us off after court.

OP posts:
PureBoggin · 10/11/2024 14:07

Some mediation services offer child inclusive mediation or child consultation where they chat to the child separately. They are specially trained to spot signs of parental alienation.

RoseBird95 · 10/11/2024 14:14

I will have a look at that thank you

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EliflurtleAndTheInfiniteMadness · 10/11/2024 14:16

My ex is doing this, but middle DS in my case. Its driving a wedge between the kids, which is so painful to see. The others are angry and hurt their brother agrees with and repeats all the nasty lies ex makes up about me. I think its him trying to be on his dad's side so he doesn't have to deal with ex nasty behaviour. Its something that happens sometimes with abusive relationships.I dont know what Id do in your shoes. It's horrible that you can seperate but they can still abuse you via the kids. If you can afford it I think it couldn't hurt to talk to a lawyer who has experience in this area to see if there's anything that can be done about the parental alienation and SS are likely to be helpful or not in this situation. Child inclusive mediation like PP suggested could be helpful, I don't think though you can rely on them to definitely figure it out, especially not when the situation has progressed to this point.

RoseBird95 · 10/11/2024 14:25

I'm sorry your experiencing similar its such a hard situation I can’t believe I’m even in the position if id of done something wrong I would understand more that’s why I think it hurts me more. His dads a narcissist and was abusive in the relationship so I wouldn’t imagine he’s ever changed and that’s why he is now using the children unfortunately he can’t do that with my youngest because he has autism and he is very straight to the point and I think that frustrates my ex more but he is in the middle of all this and is so upset his brother is being like this and he blames his dad he is also feeling frustrated now as he doesn’t want to see his dad but he gets forced to but his brother isn’t being forced to see me so I think it’s affecting my youngest it’s hard with the age gap.

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