How old is your daughter?

I don't think they will let him take her to a compound in a war torn country. I see you are looking to talk like me.

my daughter is 9 and we haven't discussed it with her. My ex and his wife have brought the topic up with her. We don't want to tell her our concerns about the safety in case she ends up there and because we don't want her worried about her father. We just want to protect her from harm.

What the heck is he thinking??? That is absolutely no place for a child. I would flat out tell him no and say it emphatically with a court order in hand!

If we go to court all my bp stuff is going to come up again-about how I am unfit to make judgements in her life because I am mentally ill. We have contacted our lawyer and he did suggest a court order but I would have to go through all that court stigma again surrounding the mental illness. That is why I lost custody in the first place because I had bp and he didn't although he is seeing a psychartrist now. Why I don't know. He was on anti-depressants for awhile but I have no proof of that. Guess I could ask the courts to pull his medical records if it came down to it.

I need your prayers and good thoughts so that I won't have to go through this all again and so that Sam (my daughter) is ok with the decision. I hope he just takes my decision and drops it.

I dont think there is a court in the world that would allow a young child to be uprooted from her school, friends , etc... in order to send her to a compound in a war-torn country. Educational is questionable in this circumstance.... Kids that age need stability, and order. I would definatly talk to a lawyer... Di you use one when you wrote the custody agreement? If so I would contact that lawyer...Also ask a Psychologist or school counselor their opinion about the issue and how it might affect her. They may be able to give you some ideas and information. I will pray for you!!

If it comes to court, I hope it's the child's well-being that is the topic rather than her parents' mental health. This is a tough one, and I could rant and say 'oh he shouldn't' or 'is he crazy?', but the fact is, I don't know enough about it. There are many parts of countries experienceing civil unrest that have safe havens for Americans especially. I doubt your daughter would be bushwhacking with a machete fighting off men with ak-47s and gorillas. What would her life be like there.

yes we used a lawyer when we wrote the original agreement and I have contacted him. I am just waiting to hear back from him this afternoon. The school counsellor is a good idea I will follow up on that. I soooo don't want this to go to court. We had a good relationship (her dad and I) until he made this request. I am afraid this will set us back but I have to think of my daughter first.

Well there is a travel advisory from the Canadian government warning Canadians to stay out of the country. "essential travel only" in the country. It is rated at the highest danger level for that area. The city where she would be staying is rated at the second highest danger level. She would be living in a compound with the children of the embassy's staff. I really don't know a lot about it. I have asked him questions but he hasn't answered them - about recreation, church, etc...He says it is safe and I am suppose to take his word for it. He thinks it would be a wonderful experience for her to live in another country.

I just went to the US travel advisory here: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_2198.html and read what it had to say. After reading that I can honestly tell you that as a completely grown adult of 38 years old I would not go anywhere near there even with armed guards!

Have you thought about printing out the recent travel advisory and showing it to him and ask why the heck after reading that he still thinks it is a good idea?

If it were my daughter, I would not let her go. But only because of the travel advisory. If your BP has been stable and you have a therapist or pdoc to document that I don't see where a judge would use that against you. You seem really worried about that aspect. Is there more to this than we know? I will pray that whatever happens is a part of God's plan. Keep us informed.

I have sent him the travel advisory but he says that he is there and he knows ( better than the government).

Haples I am stable and I have proof from my doctor that I am stable but that didn't hold any weight when I was in court the last time. The judge ruled that my ex should have custody because I have a mental illness. The legal system is still biased and stigmatizes the illness wherever possible. I am worried that once again my pdoc's reccomendation would fall on deaf ears.

have lawyer supeona SP ALL of his MEDICAL RECORDS and make sure the court knows that you have some support in place incase you do have a relapse. covering your but is your best defence.

I know what you mean with regards to mental illness. It sucks!!!

I am sorry the courts have done that to you. Do whatever you can to stand by what you believe is for the safety of your daughter. Make sure you have a copy of the travel advisory if you have to go to court. Fight, fight, fight, pray, pray, pray.