[bacraig]

Looks like 'daddy' needs the consequences. He is encouraging your son to do the things he is doing. On purpose, probably as a source of irritation and grief for you. Get an attorney before you do as the school has suggested. That will solve their problem and may heap more on to you. Find out from the school attorney what THEY will do for you and your son IF you go to court. Get all the information from the school about what is going on with your son...behavior, what they have tried to do,etc., the meetings that you have made, etc. Be sure to include all types of communication that your ex has had with the school.

Sounds like a family court session is in order. A good judge will tell your ex that if his son does not comply with the school (esp. truency) that HE himself will be held in contempt of court, be fined, go to jail, etc. He is using your son as a way of 'getting' you. HE Sounds like a real jerk and certainly not responsible enough for or WHO deserves custody of a child.

One thing I will caution you about though, IF you do give full custody to him, he can, in most states, come back on you for child support - another way to 'get' you. Which might be what this is all about anyway, IN MY OPINION. Even if the judge says you don't have to pay him support, some laws will allow him to get a re-evaluation after a certain time.

Good luck to you and your son.

Barbara