Hello – I am so happy I have found this forum. I finally separated from my emotionally abusive ex three years ago – we have three children – 10 and 8 year old twins. He has always insisted on his access time working around his schedule and their is no court order or divorce in place. I cannot afford a divorce or court proceedings and mediation failed due to the abusive history. The children go to his every weekend – which has been as settled as it can be but his decision to move in with his new girlfriend 80 miles away has caused some disruption to the children and reared some familiar behaviours in my ex which is being directed towards the children.
My two older children suffered at his emotional and physically abusive hands and it’s been a struggle for them with anxiety and socialisation.
My 10 year old son is now begging to stay home this weekend because his dad is behaving in a similarly manipulative way, I’ve just spent 4 hours reassuring him and bringing him down from some real worries and fears he has regarding his dad – I recognise these feelings as I used to have the same – I don’t bad mouth his dad though and it’s difficult to help my son see how much I understand what he is getting at. his sisters are also tired from the travelling.
I can’t discuss this with their dad – I’m too scared of the repercussions on me and the children – My son begs me not to tell him what he’s said – I can’t figure out what I am allowed to do – or if it’s ok to suggest the children have a weekend off seeing him. I’ve already failed to protect my two older children (his step children) from this man, I don’t know what to do ):
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