Dear Lindsey:

So you decided against the Protection Order route, but you are okay with hiring an attorney so to set up a guideline report (is that what it’s called?) with clear instructions regarding contact between you and the ex? If you go this route- make sure that the contact between you and the ex specified in the report is the absolute  minimum, that he does not enter your home, and you don’t enter his home. He drops the kids at your address, but he doesn’t leave his car and he definitely does not enter your home. He shouldn’t have a key to your place (does he?).

“The intake worker gave me home but not the court appointed advocate.  This is not going well“- I didn’t understand this part.

“I feel like participating in the ugliness with him makes me look just as ugly. It’s been impossible to not react and ignore his words“- there has to be no more yelling when the kids are present, no more yelling by him and no more yelling by you. This is traumatic for the kids to witness this aggression. Like I said, the absolute minimal contact between you and him is necessary.

I hope you get a good night sleep, Lindsey.

anita