Tricked By Father In Relation To Child's Counseling
My daughter, who is 7, was "touched" by a child family member in my home, which she needed counseling for. Afterwards, her dad decided that he wanted primary residential custody of our daughter. I spoke to her dad about how we should arrange the counseling and suggested counseling to a local behavioral center on a pay scale. He did not want to do that and said he would look for a private one. I told him to keep me informed and let me know when he finds one. Later, I asked again and he said to wait because he couldn't afford one and that he didn't have the time to take off from work. About 6 months later, my daughter informed me that her dad and step-mom were taking her to a counselor! I was pissed!!! When I confronted him about me getting involved, he told me the counseling was done. Fast forward, and I find out through the home study report that he continued to take her for another 2 months. I believe this was an attempt (and a BIG ONE, might I add) to gain ammunition in our custody battle. It makes me look neglectful as a mother and only god knows how my daughter perceives me! The evaluator questioned me about this and I told her that I didn't know about it until my daughter told me!!!! She told me to get involved in it right a way and I said I didn't know how to do so and she didn't let me explain. I was going to say that I didn't know how to do so because he told me it was already finished. In the report she said my response to counseling was "I didn't know how to do so".This affected the evaluator's recommendation. She said that I was not there in her mental health treatment.
Afterwards, I personally took my daughter to a counselor to talk about how the custody is affecting her and how she feels about me as a mother and to let her know that i care about her. Because I know she wonders why I wasn't involved. Also, I sought counseling myself in a Non=offending sexual abuse group.
Any thoughts about this would be great.
2nd part.
On the home study report, it showed that my daughter was taken by her step mother for the majority of the sessions. Father only went to 2 out of 15 sessions. The therapist even noted that the father must show for final therapy session. It also said that mother was not willing to participate!!! I must note that I am happy that SOMEONE took her to the sessions in spite of the fact I had no clue!!!! What I want to know is if it is not legally right to let the step mother take my daughter to the majority of the counseling? Will it look good or bad for him? I know that stepmothers have no legal right the step child, but what is the father's obligation???
Thank you for any response!!!!
Re: Tricked by father/Father's obligation
By "took", you simply mean transported, right? Or, are you saying that step mom was a participant in the sessions?
Who did the touching in your home?
Re: Tricked By Father In Relation To Child's Counseling
The step mother transported and participated mostly in the counseling. He was not present. He lets her do everything regarding my daughter when she's in his care. My half brother who was 9 y/o was the perpetrator.
Re: Tricked By Father In Relation To Child's Counseling
Quote:
Quoting
07fairydust
The step mother transported and participated mostly in the counseling. He was not present. He lets her do everything regarding my daughter when she's in his care. My half brother who was 9 y/o was the perpetrator.
Have you addressed that with the court system?
Re: Tricked By Father In Relation To Child's Counseling
I was going to tell the judge at the final hearing, but honestly I dont know what steps I should take!!!?? What do you think about the father letting his wife do all the parenting and letting her take her/play mother at counseling sessions....especially when he is the one filing for modification??
Re: Tricked By Father In Relation To Child's Counseling
Hey Shelly...Your story was a bit different on this other thread...Keep the story straight when you get to court or the judge might think you don't really care about your daughter.
http://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?t=380424
Re: Tricked By Father In Relation To Child's Counseling
:DDang, bay! Your memory is WAY better than mine. I seem to remember someone posting the same "story" before, but I usually cannot locate the original post. Good catch, detective!