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I am actually the father (NCP) of the child in question but my wife and I were wanting opinions on our situation.  We live several states away from my son and, unfortunately, do not get to see him EOW.  I call him weekly and try to continue other forms of communication such as letters and such.  The CP has gotten very upset recently because my wife (step-mom) has begun including her own letter to my son when I send mine to him.  Nothing inappropriate is said in these letters; she talks about what is going on around our house, asks him what he has been up to, to share with his sister, do good in school, etc. 

She started writing him because over the last several weeks, he has asked to speak to her when I make my weekly phone call to him.  Prior to this, she did not want to make waves with the CP by initiating her own separate communication with him.  However, now that he is specifically asking to speak with her she wants to reciprocate by writing him letters.  So we are torn about what the right thing to do here is.  Continue her communication with him so he knows that she cares about him as well and wants to stay in touch or please the CP by stopping all letters and only communicating with him when he asks to speak with her on the phone.

I do not feel that she is doing anything wrong but the CP tends to get very upset over anything and everything.  I would think she would be pleased that our son has another adult that he can look up to, but that is not the case here.  My wife wants to stay in touch with my son between visits but does not want to cause any unnecessary trouble for me.  What is everyone's opinion?

Does anyone know where I can find articles/information pertaining to young children acting out following visitation with a NCP?  The CP is attempting to use our son's acting out as a way to limit visitation but I believe that is simply because he was upset at having to say bye to me (I live in another state) and that this is fairly normal.  I have found various posts on the internet but was looking for something that would stand a chance of holding up in court. 

I have a 7 yr old son who lives a couple of states away from me.  The CP and I are in the process of putting together an updated parenting plan since the current one assumes that everyone involved lives in the same state.  Over the Thanksgiving holiday I travelled to see my son since it was my year with him.  The CP did not allow me even close to the full holiday which should have been Wed - Sun.  Instead I was allowed 2 hrs on Wed, 5 hrs on Thur and 7 hrs on Fri.  Although I know the parenting plan allows me more than that, there was not enough time to have it straightened out in court so I took what I could get so that I could see my son.  After the holiday, the CP claimed that the child began acting out when the visit was over and is using this as a reason to limit my time with him until he receives counseling.  My theory (and one I've seen supported informally on the internet) is that he was sad about having to say goodbye to me and at this time noone knows exactly when the next time we will see each other is (since we're ironing out a new plan and CP is only allowing me to see him on her terms at this time).  I support counseling, if the CP truly believes it is needed, and have offered to pay half so that the child can speak with someone that could be a neutral party in court, if needed.  She refused and will only take him to someone that she chooses, although I suspect she's not really even seeking treatment for him.  Although I have seen it multiple times during my research that it is normal for the child to act out, be sad or even angry after visitation ends the CP's lawyer keeps insisting that it is because of me and therefore, I should not be allowed full access to him at this time.  I would like to have concrete research that I can reference in court regarding a child's behavior at the end of parenting time (especially when one parent is long distance).  I know the CP is wrong for refusing me parenting time since there is no court order restricting my time with my son (and I am traveling to him for the time being, not asking him to come to TX) and I am waiting on a court date to have a judge reinforce my parenting time and look at my proposed parenting plan.  Does anyone have a source that I could use in court to support my argument that my son is simply upset about leaving me and that it is completely normal?  Any help would be appreciated.