Contact Centres
By Carrier
@Carrier (1)
November 6, 2006 2:35pm CST
My daughter's father chose not to be in her life until she was 2 and a half years old (she is now 3 years old). He pays no maintenance but through his solicitor has gained access to my daughter via a Contact Centre. He had the chance to see her weekly but chose to see her for 2 hours fortnightly. Is anyone else going through the same trauma as I am. Having to see somebody who turns up every fortnight dressed in designer clothes and bearing gifts for my daughter but shows no caring in her either her upbringing or her wellbeing. I have two jobs in order to ensure my daughter wants for nothing whilst the CSA tell me her father doesn't have to pay a penny because he is on 'benefits'.
1 response
@Rixelly (85)
• Australia
6 Nov 06
HI Carrier,You are not alone.
My X payed some money for our two children. We divorced 2 years ago. I contacted the CSA and that scared the life out of him and now we've put a parenting agreement in place and he pays regularly an amount we have agreed on.
He lives in NT and we are in SA. He sees them twice a year maybe and with a lot of prompting he finally calls them regularly on the phone.
With his first family, yes he did it all before ... he gave up work so as not to have to pay maintenance and be bothered by CSA.
I suggest you get some legal advice. Legal Aid may be able to help you.
Good on you for working so hard to look after your daughter.
Your X is what they call a Disney Father - all show and presents but no show and presence!Take heart in knowing that your daughter will eventually understand and realise that you are the one who provided her with all the love and care she needed while growing up. He is still her father and their relationship is important. But with age will come realisation of her true carer.
All the material things in the world will never make up for a lifetime of love which is what you are prepared to give her.
Hugs to you
