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DF, ex and contact order/going back to court

20 replies

FedUpWithThis111 · 05/09/2018 16:13

NC for this as likely quite outing.

Please help us!

Partner has contact order in place for the last year due to his EW being increasingly difficult regarding time with his children and her general behaviour. Including refusing contact for three months claiming he was on drugs (we had not long moved in together) despite the fact he is in the TA and frequently drug tested.

We met three years after they were separated yet from the day he told her we were serious she has gotten worse and worse and denied more and more.

We thought all would be well after the contact order was in place. Which included the fact holidays and such should be agreed between both parties and she was told point blankly in court holidays with both parents are highly important and to not stop this.

Order also includes times and place where children should be picked up from and that drop offs and pick ups should be agreed between parties.

In the last year alone she has changed days/times/location to suit herself with no discussion with DF.
She has taken them abroad with her boyfriend. Something of which DF would never even try to stop as he knows its best for the kids, yet she flat out refuses him the same treatment and denies any access beyond the bare minimal EOW. Wwhenever he attempts to address this with her it is either ignored, or a stream of abuse is brought either straight to him or via social media.

She has lied on social media many times regarding what has gone on to paint him in a disgusting light. Often switching who said what or making up things that haven't happened. (Abusive, threatening police, kids apparently not being fed, apparently kids distraught over things (yet evidence shows otherwise) )

Posted publicly and to him that our unborn child shouldn't be being born and actively trying to get him to walk away from us both. Implying we have been together a bare minimal time (despite it being years which she has known full well as we had to deal with outlash then) . Just anything to make him look irresponsible and unkind/nasty.

Has a tracker on one of the DC phones and follows it whenever they are with us.

After years of abusive text messages via whatsapp he blocked her there. Stating text and email more than enoiugh communication wise for her. She then threatened to cut contact for that.

Promising kids nights out on his contact time and then forcing him to either tell them no or to just accept it and let them go (which he does for their sake)

Blackmailing him over if he pays more money she would consider a holiday that was proposed to her for us with the children.

Booking up the whole of summer holidays with no discussion with DF regarding holidays and times for him. He was left yet again bare minimal EOW with one evening cut short due to it sutiing her. Despite the fact she knew our DC had just been born and it was imporant the kids felt included.

Phone calls on imporant days (birthdays/fathers day) flat out ignored so he can't get hold of his children.

Having the children call her new partner Dad. Claiming on social media he is a real parent etc etc. All while undermining my DF.

During the last few weeks of our pregnancy she started claiming one SC was needing treatment for depression due to the impending baby and how miserable it was making them. Yet reality is the child couldn't be happier. Is an attentive big sibling. Despite many chats with them by myself and partner (individually) to make sure they were coping alright.

It has all come to a head now as DF sent a text to her explaining the importance of having them come away with us next August (with dates) as we don't want a) them to feel pushed out by the baby coming with us but them not and b) we plan on getting married when we are there. Something of which is important to all of us the kids are there for.

This resulted in a string of abuse and flat out "no" with one of the reasons being she already had a holiday booked. So he sent a second set of dates. To which she replied he wouldn't be taking her kids on her birthday along with a bunch of abuse.

Not to mention she is now starting to shout and swear in front of the children during pick ups.

He is taking her back to court. And obviously has to do mediation first. What points would be the most relevant to bring up/what evidence would he need to take/what are the chances he will be able to get a more precise contact order in place to stop her messing around like this? By her own words she claims she is untouchable.

Quite honestly we are both sick of it. DF lets her get on with her life and never interferes as long as the children are happy. To the point he even ignores the Social Media bullshit from her. Yet she flat out refuses to allow the children to be with him more (despite them vocally saying they want that) . Or to even let us live our life as a family in peace.

We have tried to be reasonable. It is getting nowhere. And now with the little one involved its more important than ever they know they are just as much a part of our family as ever. Because they are. They are much loved. Yet the EW is intentionally putting up barriers, to the point shes even cutting out her own family. Anyone that agrees she is in the wrong she will cut contact with. Even if the children miss them.

None of what she does is in the kids best interests.

What on earth do we do?! And while all of this is going on how do we make sure the children know they are loved and important? That when they ask to see us on birthdays/longer periods over the holidays when we have to say no. How do we make it clear to them its not out of not wanting to but due to their mother? Without at the same time making it look like we are bad mouthing her? As despite all the shit she causes we NEVER bad mouth her to the kids.

Thank you for reading all of that if you got this far!

OP posts:
NorthernSpirit · 05/09/2018 18:02

Haven’t read all the post.

You have a clear contact order byyvtge sounds of things. If she doesn’t make the children available for contact - 3 breaches and take her back to court. Your OH can represent himself, it costs £215.

Judges do not like it when there orders are not adhered to. My OH’s bat shit ex kept breaching. He took her to court, on the 2bd occasion, the judge threatened to ‘take the children off her and they would live with their father’. She’s behaved herself since then.

You can’t deal with these women rationally so you have to go to court.

Block her on social media.

ThatsNotMyBakedPotato · 05/09/2018 18:07

Oh my god I think we could be dealing with the same ex 😩 (except this one actually DID stop contact when she got moved from texts / WhatsApp to email after years of abusive messages!)

I don't have any advice, but wanted to let you know that you're not alone! It's so hard, and it's a totally thankless role at times. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread for advice! WineThanks

FedUpWithThis111 · 05/09/2018 18:25

I have told him he should have gone back to court sooner, but she will then promise something Or be relatively civil for a week (before kicking off again!) And he will stupidly hope that's the end of drama.

The fact it's now affected our wedding is what has really kicked him up the arse.

Obviously we won't do it if it means we won't have the children there. They mean the world to us and us getting married is us joining as a family not just about us two.

I must admit it has made me quite resentful though, purely on the basis she lives a trouble free life through my DF yet she has such a huge affect on ours (and the children!) .

With the amount of stuff that has gone on would it be worth getting a solicitor for this time around?

Would it be worth taking screenshots of texts/social media?

We don't have her on there. Just monitor her page as she keeps it public purely so we can keep evidence of the stuff she says regarding the children/DF.

It's sad as the children are the ones that mainly suffer. She won't even allow him to have them every other Christmas and last boxing day made him drop them off earlier than agreed to her boyfriends family...

Potato - so sorry you're having to deal with similar. It's so hard when all you want is a peaceful life and to get along!

OP posts:
ZigZagZebras · 05/09/2018 19:40

If you apply they will allow it going by what you've said. But the holiday doesn't sound like the main issue, this sounds very damaging to the children if they know what's going on.
Is there any possible way of improving things with her? If the issues started/worsened when you got involved have you tried meeting up with her? Could you arrange for you DP her and her DP and all your DC to do something together eg soft play or a day out and just spend some time together?

Its often a lot easier to be nasty to people over texts and when the only communication is brief and about disagreements than if you get to know each other a bit.

ThatsNotMyBakedPotato · 05/09/2018 20:11

@FedUpWithThis111 What you describe is the cycle of abuse, and I know it because I live it / have lived it with my partner for the last 5 years and once you are aware of it you can see it coming a mile off. You can google the term, but essentially it goes in 3 phrases:

THE APOLOGY (sorry for how I acted it was because of this won't happen again) THE BUILD UP (nastiness sneaking in once the performance drops - snide remarks / comments beginning again) THE INCIDENT (the "blow the fuse" incident screaming / shouting / communication issues) This is when you'd normally be like fine back to court etc, but it gets whipped back to apology so quick you get caught off guard and get sucked in to being reasonable... but you're just forever stuck in this ongoing circle. Very recognisable once you realise.

Id think carefully about meeting up. That would be the adult thing to do but you're not dealing with an adult... I think you'd possibly be opening yourself up to someone who can't even be reasonable / make healthy choices for the sake of her own children and I'd be wary that it wouldn't be turned around on you inevitably. It's notoriously difficult to reason with unreasonable people. My partners ex goes through phases (when she's not saying she's going to get my tax credits taken for her maintenance, referring to him "shacking up" with me as a mid life crisis or describing us having a baby together after 3 years as trapping him 🙃) where she says to him she wants us all to be friends and meet together and hang out! No thanks! Until her behaviour improves for a sustained period no chance! 🙈

FedUpWithThis111 · 05/09/2018 21:00

We tried. Before I even met the kids I met her (rightfully so) . Before that when my DF told her we were together (three years after the seperation) it was responded with "I'm the ex wife and mother of your children, he's just some girl you're sleeping with" .

When we met into discuss what the kids needed all she made it about was her and DF past.
All very strange and possessive. To the point that six/seven years after separation the other week she started signing off emails with "name. Ex wife" .

She left him but I think since she realised his life has moved on she hasn't accepted it.

As much as I tried to build a basic friendship for the sake of the children she hasn't allowed it. To the point of even staring jealousy as a reason to DF.

It is incredibly daunting imagining being signed up for life to this if I'm honest. I'm worried how it will affect SC and now my DC.

OP posts:
Brakebackcyclebot · 05/09/2018 21:11

Make sure you have records of everything. Keep everything. Take screenshots, definitely.

Get legal advice if you haven't already.

Don't give any details of your plans to the ex - keep communication minimal, about the kids, and factual.

Always be reasonable. Keep the moral high ground. Don't respond to any enails/messages in anger. Wait, breathe and leave it 24 hours.

I agree that you are dealing with an abuse cycle. You need strong boundaries and nerves of steel.

Poor kids - they may need some help with their feelings and how to deal with this themselves.

Good luck

FedUpWithThis111 · 05/09/2018 22:36

We have been keeping screenshots.

I must be honest when we first agreed on wedding plans one of my stipulations were that she doesn't know dates, purely down to how she acted closer to my DC birth. But we thought that just MAYBE knowing why Nd how important that would be to her DC she may consider it. Why even after all this time we think we are dealing with a fair adult I'll never know.

I hate that she continues to live her life however she wants while my partner gets noting but the minimum and extending that our lives get controlled. It's hard to feel okay with. Especially when I'm still dealing with depression in general and feel we deserve something to look forward to without a shit show from the ex.

I could almost understand if I had been the reason. But three years after them breakjnf up we met and multiple boyfriends by her you would assume you had reached adult territory. We even tried being friendly with her at the start which was passed to us with nothing but hostility.

We want nothing but the best for the kids. It breaks our hearts when drop offs have to be so quick and we freeze when they are affectionate to us in front of her for fear of it creating more drama. Either that or they see her lose it. .

My DF is far from perfect. I'm not that dumb. But Jesus he's a good dad and it makes me sick to think men like him have to fight every day for the most basic of rights.

OP posts:
ThatsNotMyBakedPotato · 05/09/2018 23:47

@FedUpWithThis111 I feel as if you could actually be me! Honestly our experiences as
scarily similar. I'm actually a bit disheartened to hear that court hasn't fixed it though because that's our next step which was our last resort but at least we thought that would be the end (my partners currently going through mediation 🙄)

We have the same issue though. Constantly forgetting that we're dealing with somebody who can't be dealt with! That's the trap! If you get a chance do some research on a book called "Say Goodbye To Crazy" 🤪 It was actually on here I seen it recommended and bought it based on that... it was very useful!

WhiteCat1704 · 06/09/2018 06:50

We had a very very similar behaviour. SD ended up living with us full time when she was old enough to make the decision-14. She told SS where she wants to be and that was that...Ex went crazy and then turned nasty towards SD... they are no contact now.

FedUpWithThis111 · 06/09/2018 07:40

My DF EW never even showed for mediation the last time so hopefully yours will be slightly more reasonable Potato!

It's sad fathers have to go through all of this for their children. Even sader when they do and it's still not adhered to. The exs in these cases seem to genuinely think they can just do what they like.

Sadest thing is it's the kids that miss out. I feel terrible for the ones involved in all of this. And since having my own DC I feel awful for the fact that with the way things currently stand (if things don't change) in the future she will be upset and wondering why her siblings aren't around much/holidays/important days.

I do agree the moral high ground is needed. It's been hard at times to keep my mouth shut, especially when she made comments regarding how we shouldn't be having my DC. But it is always better. Same with my DF, I feel for him as he's had to ignore so many posts/texts of abuse and name calling. Sometimes you do just wish you could tell them exactly what you think of them and turn the tables around so they have an idea of what it's like and what they are doing.

I just hope that eventually the kids understand we done all we could and continue to do all we can to have them properly involved in our lives. It's never nice having to explain why we can't have them for the week (mummy made loads of really fun plans for you!) When clearly they want that. Especially the youngest.

Everyone says you know what you're getting into when dating a parent. I've dated them before with no issues with exs. But when you end up in a relationship with one with a volatile ex no one warns you the emotional drain that can bring. The constant worry for their kids, the worry of the affect that can then have on your own DC. The impact it has on your life and relationship. Mentally it's exhausting.

It's a constant source of frustration for me and my DF that she does whatever she wants and whatever suits. While we can't even plan a single holiday without it being a drama fest. Not even our wedding. Things that should just be happy and exciting get completely ruined for all involved. Just so she can do petty power trips.

In our case I think there's a certain level of jealousy. She didn't want him but she didn't want anyone else having him either. And seeing him happy winds her up. Hence her having to do her best to ruin it anytime she knows he is.

It's building resentment on my part that all my "firsts" (having a baby/getting marrired) are being ruined. When she got to enjoy that herself and will be able to enjoy that again.

All we want is to be a family. Breaks my heart when you see posts on this site about mum's being pissed the EH went away and never took the kids etc. Rightfully pissed at that. It's awful. Yet his EW does everything in her power to stop that.

She encourages the kids to call her new partner dad, nd his parents grandparents. It's like she's intentionally trying to erase the fact they have another family.

Something she's admitted on social media with "I wish they had nothing to do with either of them". When they are deeply loved and wanted. So much so even my own parents have paid for them for one of the holidays next year (they treated the whole family) as they aren't seen as stepkids, they are seen as family. A holiday she did initially agree to, so we told the children. They are so excited, yet now She's going back on her word. Why a woman would do that to her kids is beyond me.

The fact we have also lost out on an amazing wedding abroad kills me as well. As I said before I would never go ahead with it without the children, but it just seems so unfair she had that control the impact our lives that much. Due to my parents ages and illness they won't be going abroad again, so that was our one shot. And it's ruined. And the holiday itself will be full of family time with my sister and her kids (who get on well with SC) yet a vital part of our family won't be there.

All the while she books up holidays with her boyfriend and the kids without even a second thought if it falls on DF weekend 🤨 .

OP posts:
FedUpWithThis111 · 06/09/2018 07:43

Whitecat- that happened with EW half brother and her dad. She's since cut contact with the half brother herself and the children (despite them loving him). I am assuming this was due to her being scared they'll realise they have the choice. He is a reminder to her that the mothers don't always "win". Sadly there's only ever losers in situations like this, and it's the children that lose the most.

OP posts:
FedUpWithThis111 · 06/09/2018 07:44

Is there a way to reimburse costs for court through the EW? Purely on principle. As she revels in the fact he has to pay out and how she can then use his court case for her own needs.

OP posts:
AdoreTheBeach · 06/09/2018 08:06

OP, if your DP takes EXW to court, can the wedding be addressed so it still happens?

Additionally, have you also considered getting married now in a registry office / with the SC and just not letting EXW know in advance? Then the holiday “wedding” can be sold to her as a family holiday?

How old are the SC? At some point they’ll know the shenanigans of their mother as you can discuss dates with them and plans, maybe a family calendar in your home so they know dates/plans with you that way if the EXW changes, they’ll clearly know she has done so without either of you having to explain.

One comment you made about having this forever. Know it’s not forever. Once the kids can express themselves and be more responsible for themselves (think @15 or so) they can be very vocal on what they want to do. After they move away from EXW (think university age), EXW is out of the loop and you only need to see her or deal w her at things like weddings of the SC. It’s not really forever.

Hope you all can get a four date quickly to address access

ThatsNotMyBakedPotato · 06/09/2018 08:23

@FedUpWithThis111 It's so tough and I know what you mean about wanting to set her straight... but she wouldn't take it on board anyway so it's wasting energy even thinking about engaging with her. It's best to see it for what it is... a person who has more hatred for her ex then she has love for her children. That's not worth getting wound up about because it's so sad (for the kids in particular) It is when it starts to affect your own kids it's hardest though. Ours stopped contact for 6 weeks (over the moving to email incident) and in that time I had a 2 year old child going to bed every night clutching a photo of his sister because he missed her 😢 (But it doesn't matter according to EXW because apparently my DSD is an only child, and she "only has a "stepbrother" when she's in our household" 🤓)

@WhiteCat1704 I'm glad that your DSD managed to escape the craziness. I've said for a long time that we'll probably end up with a tweeager / teenager on our doorstep looking for a permanent home... the door will be open if / when that's the case.

ThatsNotMyBakedPotato · 06/09/2018 08:26

Also I'm not sure regarding the reimbursement of court costs if it's only necessary because she's continually breaking the court order... logically I'd say surely there must be a way because anything seems really unfair? Being out of pocket on a semi-regular basis to enforce someone else being a knob doesn't seem right.

FedUpWithThis111 · 06/09/2018 08:47

Beach - not really no. The holiday is being booked asap as currently they have a deal on during the summer holidays of next year so it is getting booked up very fast. No time to allow for mediation/court to be over with.

Initially we did sell the holiday as purely a family holiday. It was when that was denied my DF explained the full extent of what they would end up missing out on (wouldn't happen without them but we didn't want her knowing that) . So sadly she couldn't care less either way we play it.

Will even be a risk booking a registry office without informing her. As she could change dates/kids would tell her anyway. And I wouldn't just throw it at the children last minute.

Children are 10 and 7. Already have commented on "mummy being in a bad mood" hen they saw her swearing at DF and slamming his car door/throwing things into passenger side. It's sad they have to witness things like that but at the same time it's good they see how she is with him vs how he is with her (he just told her to put that in an email, drove off and explained to the kids their mummy shouldn't have done that).

She's also been on the phone crying to eldest DC trying to get her to come home. When she said no EW claimed on social media is was because she was scared of her dad... She didn't want to go because up until that point she was happy. It was only after the phone call the poor thing ended up crying because she felt bad for her mum.

The calender idea is a good one. I shall start that when we next have them. Should I just include the Disney dates for next year (the one agreed to and then taken back) . Or include both and show them what we are trying to get them to?

One of her excuses for wanting to refuse is that she doesn't trust DF to keep them safe. He's had a safeguarding thing as part of his last court case (mandatory) and they found no risks. And if he can't take care of the children in general why is it okay for him to have them over night at all?!

He may lax in the general cleaning up after them etc, but he is a brilliant dad. They adore him.

I am waiting for the day they start arranging their own contact. The less we have to deal with her the better. I am concerned about the life long impact she will have on us and them by constant comments in their ears etc. Hopefully they will grow to realise she is just spiteful.

Potato - I do agree it would be a waste of time. And if anything only serve to make her feel.justified in her own opinion etc. It's just bloody tempting! I'd never let her know the impact it's had on our home life as she would only enjoy the misery caused.

I'm so sorry about your DC. Thay must have been a heart breaking situation for you to be in. It does worry me my DC will end up in similar situations. Disgusting women like this exist in the world that would happily hurt children.

Awful she would tell them your DC isn't really their sibling as well. Such a cold thing to do.

You would think there would be something in place. I've heard of EW having to pay back court fees before now but it doesn't seem to be a regular thing. Which is disgusting as they then use that as a power play. Knowing full well if they refuse something the EP will have to pay for court, miss a day of work and even then they can ignore a court order and likely get a slap on the wrist at best.

OP posts:
FedUpWithThis111 · 08/09/2018 08:38

Just a quick update- mainly for the ones in similar situations.

Partner called to arrange mediation. They have agreed it's pointless and not needed due to her not showing up last time so it is going straight to court.

Also confirmed she is in breach of the court order multiple times and that the judge will side with DF.

We are booking the holiday (kids included) so the wedding will still be going ahead.

Only problem is the dates that are now left will mean they will miss one day of school. But checking on the government website they say a head teacher will agree to them missing a day for certain reasons. One of which is a wedding of a close family member. So winning!

As childish as it sounds the moment I heard all of this I grabbed my little DD and danced around our home singing ding dong the witch is dead 😂

OP posts:
SandyY2K · 08/09/2018 14:54

I hope it all works out for you with the wedding.

Her behaviour is very selfish and damaging to the children.

FedUpWithThis111 · 08/09/2018 15:42

Thank you!

It's awful. As you said incredibly selfish of her. Thankfully they at least have one parent that puts their needs first. Plus a stepparent in me that loves them. And despite this aspect of her life and how she treats the children, in every other aspect she seems like a good mum and her boyfriend sounds like he's very good with them. Although calling her a good mum while she does this to them seems a bit silly considering what she's willing to do just to spite my DF. Makes you wonder why her BF sticks around and is happy to watch this go on really. He must be silly if he thinks if they separate and have children she won't do the same to him.

OP posts:
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