Legal Question in Family Law in Texas
Is it appropriate for a child to call their father's girlfriends, Mom? I ask because my daughter, 6, referred to my ex's girlfriend as "Mom" the other day. This is the 5th second "Mom" my daughter has had in the last 20 months. Her older brother had the same issue, but I explained it to him and it has since stopped. The little one still insists on calling her "Mom." The thing that hurts me is that when I ask her, she said Dad said to call the girlfriend "Mom."
If it helps, I have asked him to stop encouraging the kids to call his girlfriend's by the term "Mom/mother/etc." This instance comes not even a month after they met and started dating! I have documented emails and texts where he insist on calling the girlfriends "Mom." I have also sent at least 3 letters asking him to stop.
We share custody, nearly 50-50. Is there any legal recourse for this non-sense to stop?
2 Answers from Attorneys
I have never seen this one before. If there is a loving and caring order in the decree, you might file a motion to enforce.
You can also file to have him ordered to stop. In Harris County, the judges will do it. But before you go to the expense of filing you might consider mediation.
The most important thing is to not burden the child. She is small and innocent. Does it really hurt anyone to have her call these women "mom"? I know it hurts you, but you need to do what is best for the child.
If the child is not handling stress, put the kid into therapy immediately.
If the dad goes through gf's like a knife through hot butter, I doubt that he will follow a court order or change. He might be doing this because he knows it "bugs" you.
It does not appear that you live in Houston, so look on this website & on www.avvo.com for an attorney.
If you need a mediator, feel free to call me. I charge $300 per side for 4 hours. But I'm not allowed to "beat" him until he comes to his senses & I have no fairy dust to make his be reasonable!
www.familylaw4u.com
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