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March 27, 2008, 9:08 am PDT

Me too!

Quote From: iamasad1

dear dr phil i am a single mom of 3 kids and i am not really with what u say with alot of money and i am having hard time getting people to listen to me u see i have been told that i am escentric and i love to over react but u see i cant help it i am bi polor and people seem to treat me as crazy etc i have been through a rough life and divorce with my kids dad u see hes macho and an alky i am at my wits end i have took him to court and we are going back again on the 24 of april i am doing this all alone but no one will help me not even free legal help u see my political nice died in his care and his girlfriends kids and my deceased nice were sexually molested and dhhr wont do nothing about he doesnt take care of my kids emotional or physical needs example my daughter was sledding and broke her nose he didnt take her to a doctor more things have happened my ex cant handle 6 kids in a tralier he and his girlfriend just arent able to i am tired of going to court and cuz i have no laywer he gets visitations please i would love to be able to tell u alll my story can u help me i cant keep this up i am there mom and as that i want to do alll i can till the end i just dont want something bad to happen to them as welll what do u think sincerly paty

I'm a remarried crazy (bipolar) mom of 3 kids. My ex has spent the last 3 years successfully destroying my life so I completely understand. He keeps trying to get custody of my children. He can't win, he's got nothing on me but the problem is he lives in California and I live in Oklahoma. Legal aid here won't touch it because it's in California and legal aid in California won't touch it because I'm not a resident. He's constantly messing with my finances by not paying his child support, cutting his child support without notice or causing me to lose jobs and make trips to California so I can't afford a lawyer on my own. I have nearly lost everything to this selfish jerk. He doesn't even want the kids, he just wants to hurt me and he knows now that we're divorced, the only way he can is by taking the only things I live for away. He's destroying his kids too and he doesn't care. When I have talked to "authority figures", they seem to have the attitude of "it wouldn't hurt the kids to live with their dad". That's not true. He has pedophile type urges. We divorced because I caught him looking at teenage boys on the internet. Unfortunately, I have no proof so it's my word against his. My boys are 11 and 12. Handing them over to him could possibly have catastrophic consequences. My fear is, and what he's trying to do, though, is throw me into a spiral I can't pull out of so he can swoop in and take them. That would take away every reason I have to live. It scares the hell out of me. If by some freak thing, he wins, they'll lose their mother forever because there is no way I could recover from it. Hang in there. That's what I'm trying to do. I came <> this close to being on Dr Phil, his producer contacted me a few weeks ago but somehow, someway, I managed to screw it up. I'm not giving up, you shouldn't either.

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peterspumpkin

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March 27, 2008, 9:13 am PDT

Are you talking like living together?

Quote From: mikeinneed

I need help. My wife and I are most likely getting a divorce. I dont want to get into many details, except I have done a few things to her that hurt her emotionally and made her not feel safe with me. That caused her to feel safe with someone else and I cought her cheating on me. So it has been a horrendous roller coaster. When it comes down to us divorcing she cant see herself being a part time parent (she is a homemaker). I can understand that. I can also see me not wanting to be alone either. We have been married over 12 years. What I need help on is what is everyones thoughts on this: She wants to live in the house when we divorce so she can be with the children, so she can be a full time parent. She will get a job, pay for bills and live in the basement. We discussed it a month ago and thought it was great but after thinking about it I dont think its a good idea. I am not going to tell you guys my reasons why cause I want to influence anyone. So please tell me your thoughts!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mike

That would be disastrous. But as far as neither of you wanting to be alone, what would be best for the children? Are there reasons they shouldn't live with their mom full time other than you not wanting to be alone? That probably came out wrong but my internal editor is broke, sorry. Which parent is more suited to have the kids full time? That's where the children should be. Who are they closer to? If she's a homemaker, there's a good chance they're more bonded to her. Tthey're going to need that bond for stability going through the nightmare of a broken home. Please don't make the mistake my ex is making. He is trying to get the children for his own selfish reasons instead of what's best for them. They've been going through a 3 year nightmare that he won't let them pull out of. Living together would be a BAD idea though, trust me.

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peterspumpkin

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March 27, 2008, 9:18 am PDT

Co-Parenting

Quote From: brettt

Hi , I was wondering if anyone knows where divorced fathers can receive help, or assisstance. I am a very responsible, and loving father of a 6 year old girl. Her mother and I have joint custody, and her primary place of residence is with her mother. If you go to the court website for our county, there is lots of help for mothers, who may not be receiving child support, or who are having other problems, all without a legal expense for them, but none for fathers whatsoever. I am always current with my child support, and always spending all the time that is per our custody. I will not go into detail, but her mother is the most hateful, malicious, undermining person I have ever known. I keep a detailed journal of all of my ex,s rants, raves, trouble causing etc. I even have voice mails. One example of such is when my daughter left a message on my cell phone. Her mother, her mother,s boyfriend, and one of his daughters were fighting. You can hear them all screaming, my daghter was asking me to come and get her.Everyone of my friends, co workers, that I have let hear this message is amazed by the very clear derogatory comment made to my daghter, by my ex as she is leaving me this message. Also, there is regularly 5 children in their home. Five children, 2 adults, in a 2 bedroom, 900 sq ft duplex. My ex has a 2 year old with her boyfriend, and he has 3 other girls, ages 9-11 with his two ex wives. One top of all this my ex, asked for court mediation! I go for my solo visit with the mediator next week. I hope it goes somewhere. Does anyone have any advice? Does anyone know of any sites or organizations that offer advice on such? Thank you in advance,,,,frustrated in k,c,

Quite often, even though the help is aimed at mothers (because more mothers than fathers have this problem), fathers can qualify for the same help. Contact these resources that are for "mothers" and explain your situation. You may be surprised. All I can say about mediation is, I've been through it a time or ten, try not to stress too much about it. Mediation is generally very informal, just don't forget to think before you speak. Practice taking two breaths before you say ANYTHING. I mean when they ask your name, take two breaths, then state your name. If you pop off with something and it comes out wrong, it could be quite difficult to backtrack. Keep what's best for the child in mind, don't attack your ex's parenting, stick to the facts and you should be fine.

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peterspumpkin

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March 27, 2008, 9:24 am PDT

Co-Parenting

Quote From: greeneyes_1963

I've been married for 24 years and have 3 children. My husband and I aren't in agreement over parenting the kids. We have been in major battles over the years over this. My job as a mother is to protect her children. Things he has done over the years has caused them to fear him. They don't like to go to him for anything that they might of done because they are afraid of him. He has broke their possessions and thrown things when he seems to be losing control of the situation. I'm even afraid to tell him things because i'm scared of his reaction. I don't want to upset him or make him mad. I want him to be happy because if he is happy everyone is happy. The last fight we had he accused me of turning the kids against him. That is the last thing i have ever wanted. I have encouraged the kids to go to him for things but they won't. I think my kids have been affected by his actions and i don't want it to go on anymore. I am going for counselling with my kids and I have told him he should get it too. He refuses to believe he has a problem. He says its because of me and I get in the way of his parenting. I've wanted him to go to a marriage counseller but he refuses. I want us to work thru this if we can but i'm not sure what to do. If he refuses to acknowledge there is a problem, what can I do?

Is he two? Sounds like terrible two's to me. Living in fear is the last thing you want for your children. You are absolutely right, your job is to protect them, even if it means protecting them from their own father. They don't have a choice but you do. I think you already know what you have to do if he refuses to acknowledge the problem. You've got to get those babies out of there. Maybe that will wake him up, maybe it won't but at least you'll know you did everything you could do to give your children the best life possible. Don't they deserve that?

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peterspumpkin

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March 27, 2008, 9:31 am PDT

Co-Parenting

Quote From: texasmom2007

Please help me figure out how to make peace with my x-husband, for my kids sake. We were married for 22 yrs divorced 3 yrs ago. I just want more then anything to make peace with my x. the divorce has been final for 3 years and he has lived with a woman for almost 2 years now. but he still hates me and has tried on many occasions to turn my kids again me, because I divorced him.

My kids and I are very close and they understand why i divorced their father.But they both want so bad for their father to get over it and quit being so anger towards them.

My son will be 23 this year and has talked about getting married to his girlfriend of three years, but I honestly believe one of the reasons he is scared to have a wedding knowing that his parents cant even be in the same room. My daughter is 18 and graduating from high school in couple months. I called her father to see if he wants to order some invitation for graduation for his family and order some of her senior pictures. He was all nice on phone but later that night he called and told me he wasnt paying for anything. And send me this text messages just he other day You made decisions without asking my opinion on anything, you insisted on a divorce kicked me out and also the kids lives u took everything and only demand money. He as refused to pay his half of dental bills or medical bills.

Any way he refuse to help our daughter, her vehicle was broke down on the side of the road, she called him, because he always told if she need him to call, every thought he never had helped her when she called before, well this time he got hateful with her told her that you are your mothers responsibly, that why I pay child support.

See I need some good advice, my daughters graduation is come up and she wants to have a big graduation party just like her brother got, so my boyfriend and I are plan on giving her one. She wants to invite all her fathers family, which I think is great. Her fathers parents and I are still close and I try to call them least once a week.

But I want more then anything to make peace with my x-husband, so the kids dont have to be afraid of how their father is going to act during events that we both need to be at. Just want peace for everyones sake, I know I cant make him be someone his not, tried that for 22 yrs, but theres got to be something I can do for my kids sake. I ve thought about calling my x and saying cant we learn to get along for the kids sake. But i am scared i am just going to get him started with blaming me for everything all over again.

PLEASE I NEED TO ADVISE BAD!!!!!!

If he's hell bent on hating you, calling probably won't help. I'm going through the same thing with my ex, except that my children are younger. We were married 8 years, been divorced, nearly 5. He is remarried and so am I. He has spent the last 3 years trying to destroy me. Even after all he's done, I continually try to make peace with him but he will have no part in it. All I can assume is, though he's remarried, he's obviously not happy in that marriage, he still wants me in his life for better or worse! Just kidding, anyway, the kids, unfortunately do pay for their parents selfishness and all you can do is love them through it. You can't change him. You can't fix him. You can just be the best mom you can be and love your children a little extra. I realize they're grown but they still need that love. They need to know that at least one of their parents loves them enough to put them first!

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peterspumpkin

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March 27, 2008, 9:40 am PDT

What if you're wrong?

Quote From: kimber1869

I am so sick of drama from my ex! I had to call the cops on him yesterday......
He made allegations that my bf of 5 months hit my 2 yr old. He says she hits herself sometimes and when he asks who hits her like that, she says (my bf's name). Now, a little background info on this whole situation....
My ex and I have been split since April when he was cheating on me a yr ago. It only took me meeting someone new 3 months after I left him to "see the light" and want me back....but I'm not willing to go through that again, no trust at all....of course my ex wants to beat the snot out of my bf because my ex feels my bf "ruined our family" and if my bf wasn't in the pic I'd go back with cheater and liar ex. I told him that would never happen.....can't do it for the kids and wouldn't do it for any other reason, so it would never happen, new bf has nOTHING to do w/ it. But of course ex needs to blame someone so my bf is blamed.
Recently my ex has been civil at drop off/pick up of our 2 yr old. We have our own agreement on visitation and never went to court over it. But now things are getting really mesy and I called legal services to file for custody of my daughter.....just to get it in writing because I'm so afraid my ex will not bring her back to me tomorrow for my weekend because my ex INSISTS my bf hit my daughter. I KNOW HE DID NOT and would never...... he is a very good dad to his own 1 yr old and very good to me. I watch how he plays with my daughter and she loves my bf. She doesn't stop asking for him or his son when they are not at our house and she is not afraid of my bf at all when he is with us.
But my ex is a cop and says he interviews kids all the time and knows my baby is being hit, or was hit, by my bf......all I hear is "she is consistant with her story.....I do this all the time.....I was trained to do this...." crap. He also tells me to "step up and be a mom" beacuse I insist my bf is innocent.
My ex wants to talk to my bf to see if hes telling the truth, but I don't think my bf should be involved.....I think this is just a way for ex to get bf in front of him and badger him about "ruining his family", but now since I called the cops on my ex standing outside my house yesterday yelling for my bf to come outside and "talk".....my ex went to child protective services to file a report against my bf! This is crap and they will find that out, but why is my ex being such a dick?! Hes the one who screwed up in the first place, and he's been seeing other ppl since we've split, but still "wants his family back"......
I am so stressed I don't feel like I'm even really here......I feel numb and I am SO SCARED I won't see my baby til something goes through court, and that could be a month.....if you know what I mean! I miss her to death after a day.....I couldn't handle a month! help! Any comments, suggestions or advise? Please be honest....I appreciate that......thanks!

What if you're wrong and your bf is hitting this baby? Is a 5 month relationship, or any relationship for that matter, worth losing your child over or putting your child in danger? I wouldn't take the chance. I would suck the 5 months up, put a period at the end of that chapter and move on. You have the choice, your child doesn't.

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peterspumpkin

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April 2, 2008, 7:33 am PDT

04/02 Hitting Rock Bottom

Quote From: ramair

But, does your situation put you in a position to dictate that Shauna should stay with Kevin? How do your, and her, husbands compare?

Maybe he's drinking to escape the pain. That's not right but it does happen. I'm by no means an alcoholic but I've had a really rough life and it ain't getting any better. If I do right or wrong, the end result is the same. It helps me to escape into a bottle for a night or two. Marriage is for better or worse. If the situation has caused him to so much pain that he needs to escape we need to remember he's hurting too. Like i said, it's not right. I'm not condoning what he does but I do understand it. Life just gets to be too much sometimes and though diving into the bottle may not be the best way, for some of us, it's the only way we've found. I won't go into details of my situation because it's not relevant to this message board but I will tell you that I am bipolar and I can't get medication for it. Sometimes I use alcohol to keep me from bouncing too high or low. It doesn't work great but it makes me think it does!

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peterspumpkin

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April 2, 2008, 8:21 am PDT

She's not the only one who's hurting

We need to all take a step back and realize, this father is in pain too. I'm absolutely not condoning what he is doing but when you reach the end of your rope and you feel you have nowhere to turn, it's amazing where you find relief. Yes, her first priority needs to be her child but her second needs to be her husband. Marriage is for better or worse and a sick child is the worst. Maybe he's not dealing with it the best way, but maybe it's the best way he can.

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peterspumpkin

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April 2, 2008, 8:55 am PDT

I guess there are just too many people needing his help

Quote From: enyadreams

Cathy,

I understand your frustration! i too have written Dr Phil for help on a situation that is going on in my family with my little granddaughter being in foster care and now they are wanting to terminate my son and daughter-in-laws parental rights! Its injustice in the social system and we are fighting tooth and nail!

Anyway, I am so sorry to hear of your situation and i sure hope you get some help before it is too late. Oh today is April 1st!! I am so sorry!! I send you my blessings and i will certainly say a prayer for you and your family.

Joyce in MN

I too have written to Dr Phil, I was even contacted by his producer but it went nowhere from there. I guess there are just too many desperate people looking to him for help. At this point I'm so far down that there are only 3 things keeping me alive, they are my children. My ex husband is trying to take them from me and if he succeeds, I won't need Dr Phil anymore. He doesn't have anything on me but he's been trying for 3 years. I'm so tired of constantly fighting and I'm bipolar so it's taking it's toll on me mentally. If he keeps pushing, I'm scared to death I'm going to spiral and give him the ammo he needs to finally get them. I can't find any help, not even from the good Dr. I just keep trying and hoping at some point he'll notice.

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peterspumpkin

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April 2, 2008, 9:28 am PDT

04/02 Hitting Rock Bottom

Quote From: cndrlla

I'm not going to hammer you because you drink....but, I want you to think about something: when you fall into the bottle to escape your problems, those problems are still there when you sober up..only they become worse because you avoid dealing with and SOLVING them! Problems tend to flourish when fertilized with alcohol.

Don't kid yourself that "it's the only way", as you said. I know you know better. Your last sentence tells me that.

LOTS of people have a rough life...I'VE had a rough life...so what? You deal with it. What you aren't getting is that every minute you delay dealing with your problems is one more minute of your life that you've wasted. And don't use the excuse that you are bipolar and "cannot get medicine". Of course you can!! You've GOT to know that there are many, many state agencies who will help people with medical care.

Stop using excuses, and do something to CHANGE your situation. You are responsible for you. Self-pity is a destructive crippler.

Ok, actually, I think you misunderstood what I was saying. After I've fought and fought and fought for however long and I'm tired of fighting, I take a night and I go out and get blitzed. Yes, the problems are still there the next day but that's how I escape them for one night. I do not delay dealing with them, I just need a break from fighting my way through life every now and then. Also, I didn't mean it's the only way, I meant for some of us it's the only way WE'VE FOUND. I've tried other things, I've yet to find a better way. Also, I was absolutely not using the excuse that I'm bipolar and can't get medicine. The fact is I AM BIPOLAR. I CANNOT GET MEDICINE. I live in podunk Oklahoma. I have no health insurance. I am epileptic so I can't drive to mental health which is REALLY FAR AWAY. There is no public transportation. There are not resources here for me to get it. But it was not an excuse. I was simply stating that EVERY NOW AND THEN I do use it to help. It cracks me up how you people are so quick to judge. Do you not think I have exhausted EVERY option that I can imagine? I realize you don't know me but if you did you would know I am not one to make excuses. I have been fighting for 31 years to try to change my situation. Most of my problems are due to outside forces, they were not any choice of my own. It's great that you have this ability to get your life out of the ditch. It's awesome that your mind works that way and you probably have family and friends and your life is in order. Not all of us work that way. I would give ANYTHING to find my way out of this but I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN. Obviously you've never been in my shoes. Obviously you have no idea what it's like for your entire life to be screwed no matter what you do to try to fix it. This started long before I was ever even able to make a decision on my own. Why don't you people that know it all teach some of us who are a little confused.

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Messages By: peterspumpkin

Me too!

Are you talking like living together?

Co-Parenting

Co-Parenting

Co-Parenting

What if you're wrong?

04/02 Hitting Rock Bottom

She's not the only one who's hurting

I guess there are just too many people needing his help

04/02 Hitting Rock Bottom