[Solved] 'Bipolar' Ex makes up the rules!!

First time posting so go easy on me.

I was with my fiancée for almost 5 years and during this time i was subject to domestic abuse. At the time though, apart from the physical stuff, it wasn't that clear. She would be very controlling, not let me go out, tell me who I can and cant speak to etc.. She always had her hangups about my previous partner with whom I have a child with already and this never helped the relationship. Anyway when you're blinded by love you carry on in the hope things will change. We went on to have two lovely children and I'm sure you're thinking "why would you if that's the relationship you were in?" but like i said earlier you live in hope that things will change. However they didn't and as much I tried to stay together for the sake of the children, I couldn't put up with the abuse any longer. I feel that as the children get older they should not be subjected to that kind of environment for their upbringing. In the end I moved out and gave her as much time as she needed to look for alternative accommodation. She took her time and refused to go but eventually after 3 months she found somewhere else. I asked to have the kids on a Tuesday and Thursday evening after work and all day Saturday. She agreed to this and its been fine most of the time. I also have my other child on a Wednesday evening and all day Sunday. So all in all I try to have my kids as much as possible.

She hates my other son and was massively jealous of him. On a Sunday i started to take him out by myself as he was made to feel very uncomfortable. She would swear and curse in front of him which is something he hasn't been bought up with. She would also be on his case about everything. If he forgot to say please once it would be the end of the world. In the end he would be crying when I picked him up over the thought of having to see her. When we had our little girl (our second child) she didn't want him anywhere near her for almost 2 months!!!!

There's been the odd Tuesday and Thursday evening when she hasn't let me see the kids over an argument between ourselves. If I stand up for myself, don't tolerate her unreasonable demands and speak to her the way she speaks to me I'm the biggest a*se in the world and then threats from her family start. Even though they all fully know what she's been like the last 5 years and have said to me "I don't know how you put up with it!". All of a sudden I'm public enemy number one!.

When I moved back in the house I asked to have the kids to stay over one night a week but she didn't want this as her CSA money would go down. My job means I'm on call one week every month so I suggested not having them to stay over when i was on call. Suddenly she was more than happy for me to have them one night a week again as this took me under the CSA 52 nights a year bracket. This has been ok the last couple of weeks but on Thursday she was told that I was seeing my ex girlfriend (which is rubbish). I had been out with her a couple of times as friends for my eldest's birthday etc but that's about it. She's now told me she doesn't want the ex and my eldest anywhere near our kids (even though its their brother!!) and she is now stopping contact until i instruct a solicitor. I know you maybe thinking it will blow over in a couple of days I can assure you it wont. She's a very stubborn person and because I was seen out with my ex she wont be backing down. She thinks the set days I have with the kids is bonding time for me and and them only and I shouldn't let them interact members of my family or friends cos she says so.

I've downloaded the C100 form and about to fill it in as I've mentioned mediation before to her and she's not interested. Money is extremely tight at the mo I'm not entitled to Legal aid and after I've paid my bills and maintenance each month I'm left with £200 to live off.

What id like to know is..... 1) Would the case even go to court if they realised how unrealistic she's being stopping her kids seeing their father because of her hangups with my past relationships and children? 2) Is it quite easy to represent yourself in this straightforward sort of case. 3) is there a cheaper alternative as I can see this going to court business being VERY expensive.