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I was taken to court by my mother to gain access to my two children now aged 11 and 8. We had a very volatile relationship and after yet another outburst I finally decided that I no longer could deal with her behaviour. The stress it put upon me and my family had just gone too far. To cut a long story short she was granted legal aid before the cut off and took me to court for access. I did not deny her access and the judge agreed she could see the children for 4 hours at the beginning of each month. We had to take the children to her (a two hour round trip) and she would come to us for four additional visits she was granted in their school holidays.
All worked fine until she firstly gave me short notice in the six week holidays to three possible dates and I could not do two due to work and we already had plans for the third. I proposed two other days and she could not do them so the additional two visits she was meant to have in the six week holidays did not take place. She wanted them carrying over to the following half term holiday but my daughter was doing a holiday club so it could not be done.
My son plays football for a local team. He trains on a sat morn and his matches take place on a Sunday morning. This has made it awkward to do the visits as if he has a late kick off we simply cannot get to her house in time to make the visit four hours long. She has demanded we give her the four hours a month even if we have to take the children to her for an hour a week which we simply do not have time to do nor can we afford the petrol costs of so many trips to her home.
A new job where I worked shifts also did not help as I had to cover some weekends and simply could not work and do the visit at the same time however I have now since left this job. I contacted her to advise of all the changes which meant the original agreement simply cannot be held anymore and her response was "not her problem". I offered visits in the school holidays as in reality this is the only time whilst football season is on that we can do them and again she refused them saying she wanted the original times. I said I cannot do the original times when I am working and I am not forcing my son to miss his football matches. I have asked my son which he would prefer to go to and he has said his football matches. Neither children want to go to see her in the first place. She is now taking me back to court as I have breached the original order.
I am just wanting some advice on what is likely to happen here? I have not intentionally breached the order. I have offered alternative access which she has refused. Although I am not working right now once I do find employment I will be doing weekend shifts again due to the nature of the work I do. I do not think it is right that I stop my son doing his matches when he enjoys them and does not want to let his team down by missing them.
I have tried to look into this matter previously as I could not afford a solicitor last time this was in court although she had one with her paid for by legal aid. (unfair one having representation and the other not). There is little advice about grandparents rights and I am worried as I have now breached this order.
Can anybody help here?
Thank you in advance.
All worked fine until she firstly gave me short notice in the six week holidays to three possible dates and I could not do two due to work and we already had plans for the third. I proposed two other days and she could not do them so the additional two visits she was meant to have in the six week holidays did not take place. She wanted them carrying over to the following half term holiday but my daughter was doing a holiday club so it could not be done.
My son plays football for a local team. He trains on a sat morn and his matches take place on a Sunday morning. This has made it awkward to do the visits as if he has a late kick off we simply cannot get to her house in time to make the visit four hours long. She has demanded we give her the four hours a month even if we have to take the children to her for an hour a week which we simply do not have time to do nor can we afford the petrol costs of so many trips to her home.
A new job where I worked shifts also did not help as I had to cover some weekends and simply could not work and do the visit at the same time however I have now since left this job. I contacted her to advise of all the changes which meant the original agreement simply cannot be held anymore and her response was "not her problem". I offered visits in the school holidays as in reality this is the only time whilst football season is on that we can do them and again she refused them saying she wanted the original times. I said I cannot do the original times when I am working and I am not forcing my son to miss his football matches. I have asked my son which he would prefer to go to and he has said his football matches. Neither children want to go to see her in the first place. She is now taking me back to court as I have breached the original order.
I am just wanting some advice on what is likely to happen here? I have not intentionally breached the order. I have offered alternative access which she has refused. Although I am not working right now once I do find employment I will be doing weekend shifts again due to the nature of the work I do. I do not think it is right that I stop my son doing his matches when he enjoys them and does not want to let his team down by missing them.
I have tried to look into this matter previously as I could not afford a solicitor last time this was in court although she had one with her paid for by legal aid. (unfair one having representation and the other not). There is little advice about grandparents rights and I am worried as I have now breached this order.
Can anybody help here?
Thank you in advance.
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