How do I stop my in-laws from letting their son see my daughter?
DEAR DEIDRE: I WOULD never stop my young daughter seeing her grandparents, but don’t want her to spend time with her dad – their son.
My ex is a waste of space. But his parents let him see her when they look after her. What rights do they have as grandparents?
I’m 29 and my daughter is four. My ex is 28 and his parents are in their sixties.
We were in a relationship for a few months before I got pregnant.
When I told him, he bailed. I told him I was going to have the baby anyway.
He agreed to pay maintenance but wouldn’t speak to me or come to see me and the baby after she was born.
His parents are decent. They begged to be a part of my daughter’s life, and I agreed they could spend time with her. They are great with her and she loves them.
But recently, my ex moved back in with them. Now I don’t want my child to go to their house because her dad is there.
They insist their son has changed and wants to get to know his daughter, and be a dad to her. Am I allowed to stop them taking her home?
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DEIDRE SAYS: Think about what’s best for your child – getting to know her dad may be good and it would be a shame if she couldn’t stay with her grandparents.
Talk to them to set rules. My support pack, Standing Up For Yourself, will help.
If your ex now wants to see your daughter, he needs to talk to you and make formal arrangements.
Legal advice would help. Contact Rights of Women (rightsofwomen.org.uk, 020 7251 6577). The charity Family Lives can also advise (familylives.org.uk, 0808 800 2222).