I went to see my children over the Easter holiday weekend and, amazingly, my son was waiting for me at the station. I was two hours late due to the trains but that didn't seem to matter.

We spent five hours together that day, the first full day since the beginning of December ('09). I floated the idea of him returning with me for a few days and he was receptive.

After a couple of changes of mind I collected my son the following lunchtime as I returned my daughter from her swimming lesson (via a few shops).

The ex was not happy, unfortunately there was a juvenile 'rent-a-mouth' there who seemed to think she knew the aspects of the court order rather better than me, the ex also managed to mangle some bits of the order.

I left with my son about ten minutes later, we caught a train about thirty minutes later.

He had a great week here (by the sea), just him and me although we met some cousins, the eldest is the same age. He acted and looked like the 11 year old he is. I returned him exactly as promised. The ex later said her mother was furious that I'd managed to get my son to leave with me - she's done everything she can to prevent that (including a false sexual abuse allegation).

I saw him (and the ex) yesterday. I was at my son's school for a pre-arranged meeting concerning his discipline. My son and ex were in the room, his body language told me tons, he isn't interested. This was not the same boy who had been with me one week earlier. I'm told that the meeting has so far had a positive effect on him, it was also the first one (of that type) I've attended (not aware of them before last month).

I then went to a meeting at my (9 yo) daughter's school with her teacher, the school nurse and the deputy head. The deputy head (who knew me) floored me when she said my daughter would probably be pregnant by the time she was 11 or 12. What a way to open a meeting!

We settled down to a review of her welfare and the current family situation. It appears that she has been coming to school late, unkempt and in grubby clothes. I was also told that there is no hot water in the house although the shower has an electric heater so they can wash themselves. Also it seems that an 11 year old girl from next door often sleeps in my daughter's room. That girl is the rent-a-mouth mentioned above.

The ex also has a new boyfriend who my children don't like.

The school is worried but couldn't convince social services to request a report (the school needs a formal request for a welfare report on a pupil). They asked if my solicitor could make the request, I sent an email straight away giving the deputy head's details.

I told the school that my daughter was bruised following being hit by three kids over the previous few days, the afore-mentioned 11 year old, her 15yo brother and another girl. My ex gave me that gem. The school nurse promised to have my daughter examined today, I've not heard back yet.

We then talked about facebook. I found my daughter's page, except she hasn't done it, a certain 11yo girl is responsible. My daughter's relationship status is "interested in men". Myself and the school will have that page removed shortly. My son made me a 'friend' on facebook, this enabled me to get names for all the kids who are causing problems. That info may be useful later, they all attend the same school as my son.

I'm seeing my children again on 1st/2nd May and I have a follow-up meeting at my daughter's school on the 7th. I've suggested to the children they spend some time here during the Whitsun break at the very end of May.

So, the saga continues.

Topsy

[I've now put these blogs into a book in case you want to read from the beginning]