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So after all my moaning CAFCASS gave in to generating a report that includes an observation of my contact with my kids. However, I had to do a 3 hour but 15mile round trip in London with a tired 1 yo and a super active 3yo. The officer also contradicted her boss and said she wanted to do a 90 min observation in a room on the 16th floor of an office block, rather than 45min. Again I was apprehensive given they had been couped up in a car for so long.
Anyhow, despite all the adversity - even her surprised look - you got here all by yourself with two kids and a buggy and my huge magic bag (sheer cheek!). Anyway daddy pulled out all the stops, the oldest was on form - giving lots of cuddles, kisses and saying I love you daddy, built an airplane, drew, he blew lots of bubbles, and we (me and the 1yo and the 3yo) all played the doctor game and he fixed us all up. Enough time for a 30 sec nappy change - one handed lol, and gave the 3yo a pot of strawberries and grapes and the 1yo a milky snack. The 1yo was full of giggles, despite not having a nap all day (was getting very worried she would show me up). CAFCASS said after 35mins no need to carry on and said it was a very good contact and its clear the kids are very bonded to me. She asked if I applied for sole residence or shared and I told her I only want shared as the children need both parents. She said excellent as it makes it easier for her.
She said her report will be fair and I will see that this friday. Despite her assertions, I suspect everything I have said and done will probably constitute 1 paragraph in comparisons to my wifes 5 pages - but I have given it my best.
Fingers Crossed.
Brilliant. I suspect it may be better than you think - partly because it went so well, and partly because of your attitude to shared residence and making her life easier - why would she potentially make it harder for herself if she gave you something to argue against? 🙂
Thank you all - I will be rather dubious until it is committed to paper but even this is no assurance as like the previous judge told my wife....she doesnt care what CAFCASS say! (at that time the judges comments were a good thing for me).
The reason I caste doubts about her comments on residency is that were I to have asked for sole she may have considered shared. If I pitched at shared she may just go for a contact order.
She claims the report will be fair but fingers crossed for friday.
Thanks to everyone once again.
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