RE: Child custody mediation

During the child custody mediation meeting, STBX and I came to a fairly amicable agreement in a short time. It seemed that we got off to a fair and (somewhat) friendly start. We signed off on the papers and left the courthouse. The papers generally become a permanent order 10 days after the meeting. However, shortly after that meeting, H changed his mind (or his atty did) on how visitation should be so as a result, it did not become a final judgment. It is so frustrating that we came to those agreements only to have him decide it wasn't good enough. He had positively no issues during that meeting.
I am hoping that this is not how the rest of the case proceeds.. it seems like it was a complete waste of time and just a facade that he wasn't even prepared for.

<small>[ March 05, 2004, 02:40 PM: Message edited by: KitG ]</small>

What a great line of advice KitG. I am the dad, with current custody and awaiting an answer to the complaint. My stbx has changed her mind many times, has made irrational demands, has scared the kids, and is threatening all kinds of abuse accusations. She says we all need counseling, yet her leaving was a direct result of her refusing a MC. Doesnt make sense to me but a MC is still not an option for her. I even said I would go. She wants to take the kids to Counseling, she is saying I am emotionally incestuous, claiming parental alienation, etc. She was a terror. The kids asked me to do this a year ago. I tried to keep working on it and when I realized that I would be the only one working on it, and she was in complete denial, The MC or divorce ultimatum came into play. I would rather have had her go to MC. She chose the other. Now says I only gave her one choice since I knew she wouldnt go to a MC. That door is no longer open. I tried for a month after the S, She is scared now and trying to scare me. I am on the side of fairness, and equality and love. She isnt. She wants to still control us. She cant and it's killing her. I gave her honest advice on her relationship with the kids, and she dismissed it. Now she is trying to make me the bad guy and even told one of the kids I was a bad man. She was a great person other than her controlling, anger, and emotional distress she inflicted upon us. I wish she would admit something and get herself some help. Her version of counseling is playing the poor me I was perfect and he couldnt see it. She doesnt want me to see her Counselor because it will become apparent that she is in denial and be told that. I have tried to be polite and yet caring, but she has been coming around antagonizing me. Sorry I went off on a tangent, but hey, we are all hurting a little. Keep up the good posts.