children seeing their estranged father

[loisholly]

I have two daughters from my first marriage and one six year old son from my present marriage. Occasionally my ex-husband asks the girls to visit for longer than I want them to (their little brother really misses them when they go). They sometimes feel sorry for him and want to go but if I feel it is for too long, I don't let them go. At what age can they insist that they go regardless of my wishes.

[Pippa68]

I am in the same situation ~ I have two from my first marriage & two from my second marriage.

I have always allowed my children to go see their dad. Just because I have two younger ones who miss them (and they miss the younger ones) doesn't take away the fact that they have a father who needs to see them..and of course they need to see their father!

I also have a stepdaughter who is greatly missed by my two youngest but her mother refuses to let her stay with us for longer than a weekend..so I do see both sides of the coin ;o)

To answer your question..I have heard it is 13 (if the father wants to take it to court earlier he can) but of course this will depend on your good judgement in the meantime. Can you not put your & your son's feelings aside for a while and look at the bigger picture? it will do you good in the long run to just let them go to see their father for a little longer ~ after all you do get the lions share of the contact with them :o)

[maxximus]

think back to when you were a little girl, then think what it would have been like if you were forbidden from seeing your father for someone else's selfishness. it is the girl's RIGHT to see ther father as it is the father's RIGHT to see your daughters. (your) meaning his and yours. all i can add really is shame on you! do you not want your daughters to have a healthy relationship with their father, their childrens grandfather. i know life isn't perfect but you have to TRY and make the best of it. sorry if i sound a little harsh but i am a single father and this sort of thing rattles my cage a bit.

[Bohne]

I don't think you need a 'legal' age.
If they do want to go, you should not stand in their way.
After all, he is their father.

The little one just will have to put up with it.
And while the girls are gone, you can do special things with him, to make their time away good for him, too!

[Primular]

When the two girls go to see their father why dont you spoil your little boy and make it out to be a big deal. He will know that it is a happy time when the two girls our with their father, not a sad time.