He’s being obstructive about our daughter

I broke up with my daughter’s father three years ago. We weren’t married, but we were living together. She stays with him overnight once a week and he pays child maintenance, but only when he wants to. He is self-employed. We have not been to court for joint parental responsibility. He has told me that I am not allowed to go on holiday abroad with her without his permission and that he also has the right to take her away from her current school and send her to another. He also said that I can’t move to a new town, which I am thinking of doing – it’s only about 50 minutes away. Is all of this true? Your ex-partner is being difficult and trying to exercise control over you. Perhaps this is why your relationship broke up. He should not be making threats that are unfair on your daughter. Unfortunately, it sounds as though he is angry and not easy to negotiate with. Are there any family members who could gently explain to him how fighting with you, moving his daughter from her school and not letting her go on holiday could be damaging for her? You should contact the National Family Mediation service (nfm.org.uk, 0300 4000 636) for further advice. Without knowing your formal parental responsibility arrangements, it is difficult to say what rights you both have. I would recommend that you take legal advice. If you get in touch with your local Citizens’ Advice Bureau (citizensadvice.org.uk), they can help you find a free or low-cost solicitor.