Taking my child on holiday

[awfulagnes]

I have residence of my 8 year old, and my ex has residence of our 11 year old. I want to take my 8 year old on holiday to the lake district. My ex is being very controlling still and whenever things don't go his way he calls me names s**t, w***e etc.. and generally making me feel like I am a bad person ( I'm not). He did try to get residence of our 8 year old, she decided that she wanted to live with me and the 11 year old decided that he wanted to live with his daddy. He dropped the case because it would have meant people prying into his private life. he tells me that if I take her on holiday he will file again for residence and have her taken from me. He claims he will win and I will never see her again. All because we want 4 nights in the lake district. Can anyone give me any advice please.

[Pippa68]

There is absolutely no reason why you can't take your child on holiday ~ especially for only 4 nights.

He has the right to apply for residence, but will of course have to provide a reason why ~ taking the child on holiday will not be a good reason.

If he is worried about his private life being exposed, surely he wouldn't want to go to court again? if you are going to contest his claim I am sure the court welfare officer will do all the can to look into both family lives...not to mention the fact that your daughter has already expressed the wish to stay with you. He won't have a case.

Your ex IS a controlling bully by the sounds of it ~ call his bluff and take control of the situation, even if it means taking legal advice. Good luck :o)

[noxlumos]

What Pippa said.
This man will never stop bullying you until you stand up to him. Tell him calmly that you are going on holiday and you don't require his permission and only bothered telling him a a matter of courtesy. Then just do it, don't enter into any further conversation about it again.
As Pippa said chances are he won't take you to court and if he does sounds as if he runs the risk of losing your 11 year old to your custody to be honest.

[awfulagnes]

Thank you for your replies, you really put my mind at rest. To be on the safe side I have taken legal advice, now I finally know where I stand.

[chitchat]

You only time you need your exs permission is when you take your child out of the country. Whilst you are living in the UK you can live or travel where you want.