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Step-parenting

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What to do after allegations are made?

18 replies

FrogStarandRoses · 15/01/2014 14:12

It's looking likely that after all the drama of the last 6 months, the outcome of the current court case will be that the existing Contact Order will either remain in place, or removed so that DH's DS can see DH if he wants to.

That will leave us in a situation I'm incredibly uncomfortable with. DH's DS has made repeated, non-specific allegations about DH and I - he has said that he is scared, that he feels bullied, that he doesn't get on with me so won't be in the house when I am here. Sometimes he won't speak on the phone, other times he agrees with his Mum that he wants contact to go back to normal. He's never displayed any of this distress while with DH and I. DH has tried and failed to get some counselling or emotional support for his DS.

So, what do we do if/when DH's DS wants to spend time with us again? Do we just accept him back into our home and forget all the things he has said? Do we go along with what he has asked for?
He's been very specific about some things - for instance, he told DH that he expected to be given priority over me and DD when he was here. By that he means that he expects me to catch the bus to and from work so DH has the car to drive him to his weekly sports activity (it's a 15 minute walk), he wants me to only cook meals that he likes/chooses when he's here (yes, he did say he expects me to cook while he and his Dad play games) and that he doesn't expect the house rules (like no internet in the bedrooms) to apply to him because he doesn't live here.

What the hell do we do? I'm trying to remember that he is a very damaged, distressed little boy (all be it one who is well on the road to puberty) but equally, I am reluctant to just ignore everything that has been said without some assurance that he isn't bottling up more emotion and it won't all happen again in a few months time. Am I wrong to think we should be able to get to the bottom of it rather the sweep it all back under the carpet?
DH is excellent, there is no way he will pander to his DS's demands for special treatment, but is that what his DS needs?

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troublegirl · 15/01/2014 14:18

watching with interest - all sounds very similar

FrogStarandRoses · 15/01/2014 14:27

troubled Familiar in what way?

Are you my DHs exW Shock or a SM in a similar position to my own?

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croquet · 15/01/2014 14:31

bloody hell this doesn't sound familiar to me - shocked that two of you have had this!

Deffo don't give an inch on his demands, and if I were you I'd refuse to spend time with him til he's polite.

I know how hard it is when they're spoilt damaged. Poor old you

FrogStarandRoses · 15/01/2014 14:49

He's not spoilt, just the victim of his mothers "implacable hostility" towards his dads involvement in his life - at least, that's what the Barrister who DH spoke to called it. She's admitted that "in her heart" she doesn't want the DCs to hear from or see their Dad again; but she admits she's worried about what people would think.

DHs DS can't remember his parents together, DH was his primary carer from birth until the split (when his DS was aged just 5) and there has been regular (if erratic) contact for the last 5 years - but he's never been totally comfortable in DHs company, and has been outright hostile at times towards me over the years.
Despite that, we have managed to operate as a family unit sometimes; holidays, pets, traditions - punctuated by periods of drama/no contact.

This latest drama is the most significant though - its impacted on my DD and DH has had to resign from voluntary work because his DS allegations created a conflict of interest.

Despite that, everyone, including the few professionals involved, seem to think that if DS wants to reinitiate contact, then that's what should happen. No one seems interested in understanding why he has said all those things, whether they are true and whether there's any future risk.

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FeelingTheFire · 15/01/2014 14:52

Whatever you do Frog, don't give in to those demands at all. He needs stability and a family home with you - which he describes is not if you go by what he wants. Sounds like he wants the Disney dad and not the family orientated dad. He needs this stability with yourselves as by the sounds he doesn't get it at Mum's. Maybe that's why he finds it so difficult - it's not what he's used to and so he doesn't know how to react apart from push away those who really care.

I really don't know what to suggest apart from to try and be supportive as much as you can.

He sounds very confused. Can your DH go against the recommendation doesn't need to seek out help from a professional. What I mean is, if it's Cafcass saying he doesn't need it - can your DH raise up the argument with the judge that he thinks that recommendation is the wrong choice, explaining why and giving evidence if he can too.

This little boy is crying out for help from inside and it's awful that only you and DH are the only ones really recognising this.

FeelingTheFire · 15/01/2014 14:55

You can tell how confused he is, I mean he expects you to cook his meals but won't come if you're in the house...

waltermittymissus · 15/01/2014 15:01

You simply cannot give in to this.

You won't be doing him any favours in the long run!

Think what sort of person he'll grow up to be if this is deemed acceptable.

DH needs to tell him he loves him, he's as much part of the family as anyone else and he loves having him around but a family works together and makes rules and compromises together.

The house rules apply. End of story.

This is madness!

FrogStarandRoses · 15/01/2014 15:02

feeling there's no judge, just magistrates and DH has already asked whether they'll consider a specific issue order for emotional support - the answer was no.

The barrister who DH got advice from said that for there to be any chance of that being agreed, the case will need to be moved to county court and heard by a judge, and even then, DS Mum will argue that forcing counselling/emotional support is further evidence of emotional abuse on DHs part.

Being totally selfish about it, I don't want to welcome an emotionally damaged preteen into my home - I'm happy to support him if steps are taken to address his issues, but I can't see what possible benefit there is to him coming here full of fear/anxiety when his Mum says he has to because she's worried about what people think.

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FrogStarandRoses · 15/01/2014 15:07

His mum has repeatedly said that he's not a part of our family and that any contact is only so his Dad can see him.

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FeelingTheFire · 15/01/2014 15:22

The thing is, if he's expressed fear in coming then why does he want to come at all IYSWIM? He apparently wants to pick and choose. Your fear doesn't just disappear because you've decided you fancy a bit of spoiling from your dad.

You're either afraid - in which case some sort of help therapy/counselling wise is needed or it's a blatent lie, in which case that needs to be investigated as to why he had to lie.

Mum can like it or lump it - he is part of your family. He is your husband's son.

THERhubarb · 15/01/2014 15:35

Sounds like he is repeating words his mum has chosen, which is why you'll never get to the bottom of it and why social services et al won't pursue it any further.

This boy is torn between his mother and his father.

His mother has been telling him all sorts about his father and probably you too, making him scared. He is scared of liking you because of what his mum would say, so he clams up. His mother wants to make sure her son knows who is boss so she tells him to ignore your rules.

Dh's brother put up with this when his marriage fell apart. His ex wouldn't let the children take any of their things to their father's, so they had one set of clothes at his and one at hers. If they wore 'his' clothes by mistake they were bollocked. When he got a girlfriend they were told never to speak about her or mention her name. They were told all sorts about their dad which luckily, they didn't believe. She made contact difficult but in her case her downfall was that she works full time and likes to go away for weekends and other breaks so she leaves them with their dad, which means he gets to see a lot of them.

My parents own split was just as bad. My mother made sure I was frightened of my father by telling me all sorts of stories about him. She ruined my relationship with him right up until I was in my twenties.

I would do as others have said. Understand that he isn't allowed to like you so try not to force this or you'll upset him. Keep the rules as they are but if your dh can spend some time alone with his son this will be good for reaffirming the bond between them. This boy needs to know that his father will always be there for him and once he realises that his father is not the monster his mother has painted him to be, then he will also accept you and your dd too.

As he gets older his mother's influence will be less and he will remember the patience and understanding you have shown him.

So ignore what has been said - which will have come from her - and focus instead on welcoming him back into your home.

catsmother · 15/01/2014 15:37

I don't think you're selfish - I think you're anxious, and cautious, and mindful of the potential effect reinstated visits might have on your household, and on your DD if SS's issues aren't addressed.

You may be worrying over nothing - but of course you don't have a crystal ball and the level of contradiction expressed, and the time all this has been going on, would make me err on the side of caution too.

IME, there is nowhere near enough consideration given in "the system" to the emotional needs of children caught up in their parents' battles when one (or both) of them have consistently used them as pawns. IMO, I wonder if this is due to a reluctance to "officially" recognise parental alienation because once the cat's out of the bag so to speak, then something would have to be done for the families affected - and of course that costs. Such as counselling for the children, and perhaps parenting classes for the parents who think it's more important to "get at" their ex through using their children, plus a real, effective deterrent for the ones who mess with contact, denounce the other parent and so on - even if that does ultimately mean either a literal punishment of some sort, or being punished by residency being changed.

And of course there seems to be practically NO thought at all given to the effect contact problems can have on other children in the family. It has felt to me - both personally, and when hearing about other people's stories, that only the "disputed" children seem to matter so far as the courts are concerned. Decisions are made - which in theory are in the best interests of said child(ren) - but those decisions aren't always necessarily the best one(s) for the family as a whole .... and that strikes me as so unfair and wrong. Except in life and death emergencies, in every other situation, most decent families consider all the kids before making decisions, and think about how everyone will be affected. If you're a "non-disputed" child for want of a better description, and your siblings are caught up in a contact case, you will often just have to get on with and fit round with whatever the court decides (if that makes sense). IME, DP's apparent (I wasn't there) attempts to explain how various scenarios would impact upon our youngest were more or less brushed aside - yet this is a family issue, and though obviously the "absent" child will be the main focus of any hearing they don't exist in isolation.

Anyway (sorry for rant there) ...... re: counselling, am not quite sure how it works with children. Obviously as adults we can refer ourselves to any number of counsellors if we have emotional problems and don't have to go through a middle man. I can see how court ordered counselling would be preferable to avoid any arguments from the ex, but when DS is with DH surely he is just as entitled to arrange counselling for him as his mother is (or isn't) ? Assuming this can be done for children without referral being required from school, court or a GP, would this be something for DH to consider ? I expect he might be reluctant in case DS takes offence but I think it would be really sensible to try and iron out any lingering confusion/anger DS has before full and "normal" contact is resumed at your home. Not least because in your shoes I'd be concerned about my child re-establishing a relationship only to have it whipped away again in a few months if DS decides to vote with his feet again for some reason. Perhaps it could be sold to DS as his dad wanting to "sort out" their relationship so he isn't made to feel "at fault" .... I dunno, but a child experienced counsellor could perhaps suggest the best way to approach it so he's not like a rabbit caught in the headlights. And if possible, I think it should be something DH and DS do together.

Just thinking out loud - I actually don't know if what I've suggested can actually be arranged without official say so. But if it can, then surely it wouldn't need the mother's permission as DH is equally entitled to do what he thinks is best for DS.

And of course no way should DS get "special treatment" - very very unfair on your child, but also won't resolve any of the issues which have led to him being so unrealistically demanding.

waltermittymissus · 15/01/2014 16:04

Look you know his mother is filling his head.

The only way to combat that is through consistency and love.

Don't agree to any of demands but be sure that he knows he is loved and wanted there.

*completely agree that he should be having quality time with his dad regardless.

FrogStarandRoses · 15/01/2014 16:11

catsmother In relation to my DD, I'm not shifting from my non-negotiable, which is that I won't place her in a position where she has any contact with DHs DS unless that is supported by professionals.
She's screwed up enough from when DHs DD messed us about (very similar situation, only she was a couple of years older than DHs DS is now). I can't guarantee that my DD will behave 'appropriately' and welcome DHs DS back into her home, no matter how much I talk to her - she might, quite reasonably, tell him exactly what she thinks even if that means facing my wrath as a consequence!
It's do-able because she's 50:50 with her dad - so there is plenty of opportunity for DHs DS to be here when my DD isn't. We'll never achieve a blended family though.

DHs DS has, several times, shown signs of settling and becoming more accepting of our family despite his Mums opinion - but that has always been a precursor to some form of drama that ultimately results in contact stopping. It's almost as if his mum can tell when he begins to settle in the arrangement and she goes looking for a situation that leads to contact being stopped. The most recent situation was initiated when she intercepted him on the way to meet Dad after school, taking him home to her house and begging him to stay and on another occasion she lashed out at DHs DD in front of DS resulting in SOcServ involvement.

I don't think it's conscience on her part, but it's become a recognisable pattern now; so much so, that DH and I actually predicted the most recent breakdown in contact would happen several weeks beforehand. We just didn't know how. The involvement of the court was unexpected - most RP's would just say "he's not coming, if you want to take me to court, do it" but she actually applied to stop all contact. And, if course, DHs DS has seen/read all the emails and court paperwork - which is totally inappropriate in my opinion, and certainly won't help his state of mind.

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FrogStarandRoses · 15/01/2014 16:25

walter how can that be achieved? We've always prioritised DH and his DSs time together; I've often stayed late at work to give them more time and throughout last year DHs DS was 'in charge' of an allotment space we have; he and DH tended it and I was 'invited' by DS to go and visit Smile They worked on school projects together, household DIY - often, I'd spend only an hour or so a day with them.

DH has considered offering "days out" as a way of maintaining contact rather than overnights or bringing him here. We haven't got a lot of money to spare but DS isn't really an 'outdoors'y' type, so will probably get fed up with bug-hunting, skimming stones, bike riding etc pretty quickly.
I think DHs ex had a typical "weekend Dad" experience when she was a child and seems to have told the DCs that is what they should expect. DH says that he has never forgotten the very first time he picked them up for the weekend after the split, their first words when they got in the car were "where are we going for dinner?" and their cries of objection when he told them they were going to build their own pizzas together at home Hmm

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waltermittymissus · 15/01/2014 16:34

I don't think it necessarily has to be somewhere "out", ie expensive.

Bug hunting etc sounds perfect. If this doesn't appeal then I would let him come to the house so long as he was very well aware that it's your house too and you will be there or not, depending on your own plans.

If this is not acceptable to him then your dh needs to revert to "we love you, we want to see you but that's how things work in our house."

I know how tough it is, believe me! But this kids needs way more than a Disney dad if his mother is saying such damaging things to him.

ThingsThatGoBumpInTheNight · 16/01/2014 02:09

I can not believe there hasn't been any mention of counselling of some sort, CAMHS ? I mean I know you've mentioned it frogstar, but nothing in court, by barristers or ss?

FrogStarandRoses · 16/01/2014 07:23

DH keeps mentioning it but no one else seems bothered because his ex is resistant.
Despite the family GP saying he'd refer to CAMHS if DHs ex agreed (or if there was a court order), CAFCASS disagreed and said that "CAMHS wouldn't touch him" and the court (magistrates) refused to consider making directions in relation to emotional support.

The position taken seems to be that all the while DHs DS isn't seeing his Dad he's fine - it's only the prospect of seeing his Dad that causes the distress/fear/anxiety - and as contact has been withheld, there's no problem Confused

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