Deadbeat Dad frustration

Bio Dad called this afternoon at about 12:20p to let me know that he was in town for his visitation with my Teen. The issue is that he is court ordered to take my Teen to see her ad litem attorney today during his visitation time. Not only is he not doing so, and once again failing to comply with court orders, he also has no real interest in seeing his only offspring. He said he was "...tired and going to lay around the hotel..." but that he'll call her this evening to speak with her.

Are you SERIOUS!

REALLY!

If my whole court case was based on my want to visit my daughter, I think when I was given the chance I would visit my daughter! But I guess that's what one can expect from Bio Dad who has never had any substantial contact with my Teen. I wish I knew what it would take to make him go away. One day she will most likely want a relationship with him; one that she defines but for now he just needs to go away.

He has failed to comply with all but one of the several court orders issued to him thus far; my hope is that when we head to court again in the very near future that the judge recognizes his lack of effort. I'm so furious that he has a very, very weak case and yet is still able to just drag out these proceedings costing everyone involved time and money. Not to mention the impact he's having on my Teen any hopes she may have of a relationship with him in the future.

She has known for some time that he was to come into town today and spend time with her. I haven't had a chance to speak with her yet but I'm very anxious to see how she feels now that he is delaying his time with her. She won't know the lame excuse he gave me today, that would do more harm than good I think, but someday she'll know. How important could someone feel if they understood their parent was too tired to see them? It's not as if this was a last minute update for him. He's had a month to plan this trip and provide adequate time to spend with her.

Richard Baxter said "Anger is a passionate emotional response to a perceived evil that would cross us or hinder us from something good." I really am trying to stay on the positive side of anger. I will be glad when this task of adopting my Teen is complete. I just have to remind myself that I have a very strong case, but it will take time.