My son has now got contact again and he has had contact in the home with the ex's father staying at our house for the full session. In a few weeks, the ex's father is to come in for the first 15 minutes before leaving and letting my son and us have independent contact.
How would you say is the best way to deal with this. The little one hardly knows us and they have shown definate signs of implacable hostility. If the ex's father insists on saying goodbye to the child before leaving, then this is going to make her upset and she won't want to stay but we don't think he will just slip out quietly as they have done everything in their power to stop this contact happening. I think it would be best if he just goes.
How do you all deal with situations where your ex or other family members drop off and then leave the child?
I don't supposed her father would respond to a quiet suggestion that he leaves without saying goodbye? If not, then it might be a matter of having a really good distraction ready for just about the time he says goodbye to give him something else to focus on. Also reassuring him that his grandfather will be back shortly - hopefully this will only need to happen on the first occasion or two, after that he'll get used to the idea.
Thanks for the reply actd. Problem is that he has to stay until the child is settled and we believe that he will then insist on staying for the whole visit again or taking the child back with him, saying that she doesn't want to stay with us.
Courts haven't dealt with this at all and just let the ex get away with breaking contact orders etc.
Thanks for the replies. He has spoken with the guardian and she has said for him to say he is going in the kitchen for a drink, then to sneak off after 10 minutes.