Nothing to report, I'm afraid although I've filed my formal responses to court as below which CSTBXWW will get sight of on Friday:
"I refute the suggestion that I am using the children as a weapon. It is not possible for me to behave in this way as I am not the one who has taken unilateral ‘ownership’ of them. How could it be suggested that I am using them to hurt her in the divorce when it is not I that is refusing and withdrawing access and making flimsy claims of abuse? I am merely seeking to have fair and structured access to my children as I consider the father, whom the children are extremely fond of and miss terribly, should have a considerable, equal and stable influence in their lives.
I agree that the boys should be in a set and stable routine but it is the applicant who has up-routed them from the most stable and happy routine and inserted them into a new environment with a man whom they do not know well or respect. A set and stable routine does not equate to spending a majority of their time with one parent and her new partner, especially when the father is able to provide a familiar, responsible and safe upbringing in their original home. A home they have known since birth and are relaxed and comfortable in. An equal split of residency is perfectly workable and emotionally stable for the children provided that it is simple, regular and fixed, with the residences in close proximity to each other and their schools. This is a particular wish expressed by both children. DS(8) continues to suffer emotional distress as a result of not seeing his father equally but feels unable to discuss this with his mother. It is affecting his schooling.
The applicant considers herself to be the primary carer and subsequent ‘owner’ based on early past acts and routines established when the children were babies and toddlers. Whilst it cannot be argued that the applicant provided maternal care for the children during infancy, the involvement of the father has increased steadily and proportionately as the boys got older and an equal involvement has been maintained since the boys started their schooling. Furthermore, the routines established when we lived as a family of four, where both parents shared care 7 days a week, are now irrevocably changed as a result of her selfish actions. In fact, during her betrayal of the family in 2012/ 2013, the boys were fed and cared for by me on countless occasions whilst she conducted her illicit affair under the pretence of work commitments and business trips.
The applicant states that she is considering the best interests of the children but I can confidently and categorically state that her choice to have an affair and her subsequent decision to leave the marriage and family home without any communication, discussion or justification, despite several attempts by myself to persuade the applicant to work on the marriage and keep the family as a unit, contradicts her assertion. The applicant has shown that a continual lack of communication fed with stubbornness and vindictiveness is at the core of her actions and the children have not been considered at all, except superficially, in order to maintain appearances.
To suggest that I am unable to properly care for the children and prepare them for school on a Monday morning is, frankly, ridiculous. I have been assisting with their homework since the start of term and been regularly preparing them and taking them to school on Thursday mornings since March. How is a Monday different to a Thursday, of which she has no concern whatsoever? They are always in bed early on school nights and this would include Sundays. I am well educated and perfectly able to assist with their homework. Both children enjoy doing homework with me and they have stated that “I explain things more simply than mummy”.
The statement that I have rarely had them in my care is being used as an argument that I should not have them more. Despite the indisputable fact that the applicant has unilaterally prevented me having them a fair and equal amount, to the dismay of the children, I can confirm that I have cared for them , overnight for a total of 70 nights (at the time of writing) including 10 nights in France since March.
All of the above can be supported in evidence by reviewing solicitor’s correspondence, log files, emails, texts and, most recently, a letter written by a third party, all of which will be provided upon request."
This wording is in addition to the reponse to the claims of abuse.
The court date is next Wednesday.
[This message edited by allatsea at 5:43 AM, October 22nd (Tuesday)]