With the two of them being so volatile and unpredictable, Janet,
I think backing off is probably the best thing to do. on the other hand I
wanted you to know that it can be done so should circumstances
change you will have the information. Your attorney is legally
correct (how nice you don't have another loser..lol); however, if
you should ever feel the need to use a Durable P of A the wording
includes "health" so that is how you protect the child during the
night. It's an ongoing stressful sales job. You sweetly say
"Ant I know you would like to take Kaleb with you right now but
he is sound fast assleep and the Doctor wants him to have a full
solid nights sleep to protect his health. If you want to come
back in a few hours (chances are it will be 3 AM then), I'll make
sure Kaleb is dresssed, fed and waiting to see you." Ant won't
show up at 6 AM! on the other hand, if he is drunk or drugged and would be
an actual danger to Kaleb...then you can call the police and
quietly explain that your son wants to take his son with him but
at the moment he appears to be under the influence AND that you
have a D P of A that BOTH parents have signed/notarized showing
you have the right to make decisions for his safety and health.
Once you pull out a copy of the document (I keep one at home,
one at work and one in my purse. The one in my purse is the only
one folded...the other two are in a slipin plastic page protector
so it can't be grabbed and ripped) the Officer will be on your
side, the medical people will be on your side and the school will
be on your side.
IF any of those people side with the parent, which could happen
of course, then you will absolutely know that you did every single thing you could do to protect Kaleb.
Please understand that I am NOT saying that you should do this.
I just want you to know that you do not have to feel as though
there is no way to take action. Many, many, many times I have
wished that I hadn't figured out how to do this. It has sucked
our life away. on the other hand, we did have almost fourteen years that were
full of love and laughter with easy child/difficult child...and...we thank God that
difficult child really does have a chance at a future after these past five
or six uninterrupted years.
As always, I will remember you and your family in my prayers.DDD