Hi Amber,
I've just been reading your story. What a big mission to go thru! I separated from Maya's dad when she was 3 mthsold and took him to court for custody and child support. Luckily he had signed the birth cert - I made him do it before I brought her home from the hospital.
We went thru the whole process of baillifs and affidavits etc. which is really unnerving considering that I did actually love Willie at one point in time and we had made this baby together!
It was heartbreaking when he didn't turn up to the hearing. He didn't take it seriously at all, and the judge was very unimpressed. He awarded me sole custody, and, as Willie wasn't there to contest it, he has been given supervised access only at a place and time specified by me. It's all very cold and legal and final, but a huge sense of relief to know that he can't come and take my baby away from me.
On the bright side, he has been sober for 8 mths now and has been regularly visiting his daughter which is great, and Maya loves it!
Stay strong, you sound like you have your head screwed on properly and are determined to do the right thing for Aidan. He's a lucky boy to have such a caring and dedicated Mum. He will appreciate you as he ges older, and he will eventually realise for himself that his dad is a loser!
I've just been reading your story. What a big mission to go thru! I separated from Maya's dad when she was 3 mthsold and took him to court for custody and child support. Luckily he had signed the birth cert - I made him do it before I brought her home from the hospital.
We went thru the whole process of baillifs and affidavits etc. which is really unnerving considering that I did actually love Willie at one point in time and we had made this baby together!
It was heartbreaking when he didn't turn up to the hearing. He didn't take it seriously at all, and the judge was very unimpressed. He awarded me sole custody, and, as Willie wasn't there to contest it, he has been given supervised access only at a place and time specified by me. It's all very cold and legal and final, but a huge sense of relief to know that he can't come and take my baby away from me.
On the bright side, he has been sober for 8 mths now and has been regularly visiting his daughter which is great, and Maya loves it!
Stay strong, you sound like you have your head screwed on properly and are determined to do the right thing for Aidan. He's a lucky boy to have such a caring and dedicated Mum. He will appreciate you as he ges older, and he will eventually realise for himself that his dad is a loser!
Mum to Maya Grace 02-03, Sienna & Mercedes 10-06