Hi All! I posted on this site off and on for many years. It has been a long time since I have been on here. I received very good points and advice in the past and hope to do same again. Here is the situation:
I was informed yesterday that Dad is taking a new job overseas for about a year. He is not in the service, this is completely his choice. He said the only way to basically communicate is through email which he will provide it to me once he gets settled in. There is a chance he won't make it back as he is going to Iraq.
Now, child will be 9 this summer. Child doesn't have much of a relationship or bond with the BF. Not saying she does not have a love for him as I know she does. But the relationship is more just a visiting type and not fatherly. And it is worse with the stepmother and Stepsister and paternal GM. She refuses to go unless dad is home, then she goes with some problems. There are issues of the SM and GM plotting together to get child taken from me. They have tried unsucessfully for 5 years now and tried through every avenue they can think of. All to no avail. (B/C there is NOTHING going on here) That is what I posted about in the past on her...all the false allegations etc.
He is leaving in 24 days. We made arrangements for him to get child when he is in prior to him leaving. (his current job will have him gone from now till the 25th or thereabouts...then he will not be employed till he leaves for Iraq). Other than that, he won't be exercising visitation obviously.
We talked of contact and he said the only way he can communicate effectively is through email. Said they have phones over there but he was told that they are not that good and then you have specific times to use it, etc. I mentioned maybe I could get my
DH to make a website for him and child. She could have a 'blog' and write on it daily or from time to time about her day, week, etc. He can keep up that way too. We could post pictures for him, and he could do same too if he wanted.
Any other ideas?
Also, I asked him if he talked to an attorney to see if there is anything we need to take care of prior to his leaving and he said nope. There is nothing to do. (I have
sole custody). But, I didn't know if anything needed or should be addressed in court????
Personally I think he is not setting his priorities straight. He said he is doing this b/c he will make more in one year than he will working here for 4 years. Our child is not the only one. He is married, adopted a stepchild and they have a preschooler together too.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
tslmom