NSW Concerns for child welfare - poor accomodation & care

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jamber

Active Member
19 October 2017
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Hi,
My ex generally lives overseas but has returned to Australia briefly. He is squatting in his brother's empty rental property and wants to have our 8 year daughter stay with him over the weekend. I am aware that there is one single mattress in the house but no other furniture. I think this is inadequate for her to stay overnight and have advised that I am happy for her to visit daytime only.
He recently took her away for a week in a van with a mattress in the back and she told me they went to the toilet 'in the bushes' and had 1 shower all week.
I am extremely worried about the poor level of care that he provides for our daughter but am unsure as to what my rights are in regards to not allowing her to stay overnight in his current accomodation. There is a court order that has awarded me sole parental responsibility and provides him with access for half school holidays and each alternate weekend. (The court order predates his move o/s).
I am thinking of getting the order reviewed to reflect the current situation but in the meantime am concerned as to how to handle things. Any help would be most appreciated!
Many thanks.
 

AllForHer

Well-Known Member
23 July 2014
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Okay, so, some objective perspective.

Dad lives overseas, so what do you think is a reasonable expectation for the brief and intermittent periods that he returns to Australia?

Should he be expected to find the finances to have a second home here, with all the bells and whistles that he has for his house back in what is now his home country?

Should he spend $250 a night on a hotel for the full duration of the trip?

Should he enter into a six-month lease on a rental and then break lease when it comes time for him to return home?

Or, should he take advantage of his brother's generous offer of a place to stay free of charge for the brief time that he's in the country?

If the material comfort is so much more important than the very few times that your daughter gets to see her father, is there a better alternative for care arrangements, such as facilitating your daughter's travel to her father's country of residence?

And I mean, I take my kids away for a week with a mattress in our ute, go to the toilet in the bush and have a shower once the whole time we're away. We call it camping, and it's honestly proving to be some of the most cherished memories of their childhoods.

But all of that is also very much irrelevant for one very simple reason: you, and he, have parenting orders, and what you've listed above doesn't reflect a valid reason for contravening them.
 

sammy01

Well-Known Member
27 September 2015
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I used to live in the bush... cooked outside... boiled water for a shower... chopped wood. My mate who owned the place had a kid that would visit sometimes.... the kids loved it...

You are not gonna get legal opinion here.... he could apply to court if u don't let the kiday go with dad.... but I doubt it....

My thoughts... dI'd the kids say she was uncomfortable? hated it? Was scared? Look if the kids coped the let it go... building a bit of resilience... if the kids had nightmares and exhibited signs of being traumatised.... then reconsider.....
Or... ifrom it is that big a deal offer the ex your place.... WHAT? Yep go on dare ya... putting your kids needs first is good parenting....
 

Rod

Lawyer
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27 May 2014
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Camping, as a general rule, is good for kids. There a huge difference between living rough for a short period of time, and neglect. Neglect is all you need worry about, not rough living conditions.

Listen to what your kid is saying, really saying, without imposing your own feelings onto your kid. Maybe you are frightened of listening, not wanting to hear about how your kid feels about seeing their father again. You'll likely get more respect from your child if the child sees you as encouraging their relationship with their father rather than putting obstacles in the way.
 
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Nanddalia3

Active Member
20 October 2017
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Camping, as a general rule, is good for kids. There a huge difference between living rough for a short period of time, and neglect. Neglect is all you need worry about, not rough living conditions.

Listen to what your kid is saying, really saying, without imposing your own feelings onto your kid. Maybe you are frightened of listening, not wanting to hear about how your kid feels about seeing their father again. You'll likely get more respect from your child if the child sees you as encouraging their relationship with their father rather than putting obstacles in the way.

Totally agree with you here. Thanks!