We share custody of our son, and I always want to trust his mom to keep him safe. So when she asked for a weekend visit, I agreed—unsettling instincts pushed aside. But when Sunday came and he didn’t return, panic gripped me.
After endless calls, his voice finally trembled through the phone:
“Dad… don’t let mom take me. I’m at Grandma’s.”
My heart sank.
When I talked to him again, he revealed the terrifying truth. At mom’s, her boyfriend claimed, “I’m his new stepdad now.” That terrified our son, so he ran to his grandma—his safe place.
I was furious and frightened all at once. That text from his mom later crushed me even more: “He’s being dramatic. You’re making this harder.” She refused to validate his fear. Her denial felt like betrayal.
I won’t apologize for putting my son’s safety first. His well-being—and trust—matter more than appearances. Co-parenting isn’t just about sharing custody—it’s about safeguarding his emotional world. I’ll keep fighting until he knows truly that he’s safe and heard.
