Hi supportd gladly wantd
Hi again braintreemum
Glad you have got a solicitor on board and I agree that it seems likely that the court will grant your request for your son to live with you. You could consider his father having him at a Child Contact Centre, where he would be supervised, if there are any concerns about violence or about him staying over.
Hi braintreemum
Welcome to One Space. Firstly can I say well done for getting out of the violent relationship. I know how hard that can be. I was in an abusive relationship for years, and although I didn't have children with this man, it was incredibly hard.
I am a single mum to a 7 year old son, and i've been on my own the whole way through. Yes, it is difficult raising a child alone, but it is also rewarding.
I wish you well, and look forward to chatting.
Take care
Alison
x :)
Hi braintreemum
Thanks for sharing your stuff with us, its great that you have a solicitor, but do you have any support for you? Women's Aid, support groups, good health visitor, getting out of a violent relationship may well be one of the hardest things you ever have to do in your life (it was for me) but it doesn't end there. You have to stay strong, you have to be a mum, you have to keep protecting yourself and your child at all times, which can be very tiring.
Please see if there is any support in your area. Will you let us know what you find?
Hello braintree Mum
Fisrtly you are welcome and yes, there will be support on here for you :D
I am sorry to hear that you have had to suffer violence in your relationship and also that you say you will have to "fight" for your son. Does his dad want full time care of him? It would be great if you could find a way that you could BOTH have a relationship with your son but I guess you need to think about whether you consider the violence he has showed you may spill out onto your little boy.......either through your son witnessing what has gone on between you, or his dad being directly violent to him.
Have you got some legal advice? I don't know what your financial situation is but if you are on beenfits then you should get legal aid so do go and see someone. You can find a solicitor here: http://www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk/en/directory/directorysearch.jsp
Sadly there are a number of other members here who have also experienced violence in their relationships and I know they will be along later to give you some encouragement. I don't know if you have heard of the Freedom programme? Have a look at this link to another bit of this site and it tells you about it: http://groups.onespace.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=50
Look forward to getting to know you, take care