Background: XDH and I have been divorced 5.5 years and have a 6 yr old DS.
DS has fortnightly access visits for the weekend with his dad.
XDH was abusive in all aspects while we were together... I think there is some emotional and mental abuse to DS but am struggling to prove it...
DS started school this year and has had illness after illness.
He has had a lot of time off school due to illness and anxiety related illnesses after being at his dads. For the most part he has doctors certificates for his time off...
Problem: The school welfare coordinator called in Child Protective Services 1 day after calling me to find out why DS' absences were so high. After explaining my side he made the report labelling me incredibly hard to deal with, wouldn't communicate with him and had no interest in the issue.
My mum and I go in to see him after a phone call from CPS. And he was all praise for XDH and had no time to listen to anything we had to say. We tried in every way to explain the issues with DS' health and anxiety and it fell on deaf ears. I demanded DS see the school counsellor to try to get some balance for him and for the school to see I wasn't making this up. He finally agreed.
Fast forward, counselling never happened, whenever I see DS' teacher I get the cold shoulder and I am at my wits end. After many reports made to CPS by the school, I ask for a family support worker to be involved. She has been wonderful, even recognising when talking to DS that there is something wrong with him and his dad.
She organised a care team meeting with her, the school welfare officer, DS' teacher, CPS, my mum and partner in the hopes of facilitating a more open and positive relationship with the school.
Biggest Problem: OMG. I was sitting before a firing squad. They kept saying I couldn't just keep DS home and that he needed to go to school. I would agree, yes he needs to go to school and when he can he goes but they just completely disregarded whatever I said. Dr's certificates were completely disregarded. XDH was and always is referred to by 1st name - me? I'm DS' Mum. That's what I am called by them. They told me XDH was a model parent and attends everything at the school. UM SO DO I! XDH calls to find out about DS' schooling - Um, I SEE his teacher!!! The student welfare coordinator even had a go at me for smiling while he was talking! What the hell???? It was smile or cry!!! They had no interest in what is going on for DS and have the belief that I am the cause of DS' problems and not going to school. They had no interest in trying to help in any way of getting DS better so he can go to school.
I now have to have weekly meetings with the school welfare coordinator to discuss DS' schooling. Won't that be fun? He HATES me with a passion.
The family support worker thinks that from this meeting, the school and I can move on and form a supporting and positive relationship? How when the whole meeting was aimed at telling me how bad a parent I am and how good XDH is?
Side Note: I am a damn good parent. I make mistakes but everything I do is for my kids wellbeing's. I would die for them, they come first and always will.
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