A question about a father's rights.?

Question

My son's father (we are not together and I am married) only has visitation rights to our son. Those visitation rights are based on the standard order here in Ohio. That includes everyother weekend and each Wed. My son's open house for school is tomorrow and I have requested that my son's father does not attend because it is uncomfortable for my son when his step-father (who he is very close with) and father have to socialize. Legally I am my son's guardian and I have all rights to medical decisions. That should also include all rights to school decisions, but our visitation paperwork is so vague. My question is, does my son's father legally have to right to attend school functions without my permission, if that function does not occur during his set visitation time? If anyone can offer good legal websites where this question can be answered that would be great!!! Once again we live in Ohio and he does not have any rights to custody. And just an FYI, I'm not trying to restrict his time with his son, but he tends to embarrass my son at school functions and he also dresses very inappropriately. I am trying to make it comfortable for everyone. Thanks to anyone that responds and sorry about the novel!!!

Answer 1

Try your best to compromise and meet halfway - it will be best for you and your child....

Answer 2

Hey there,

I know where you are coming from. I get it. But, I think you are going to open a can of worms. What if this is the incident that gets your hubby to petition the court for more time, using this as an example of you not obeying the court order?

I bring this up because something like this happened in my family.

In the whole scale of things, your son's dad going to the school function is not that big of deal. Will it be uncomfortable? Sure.. But, these are the memories that your son will remember. He will remember that you bent over backwards for him to have a relationship with his dad. Now, if his dad takes advantage of this by embarrasing him then your son will have not problem in the future telling his dad himself that he embarrases him.

As long as your ex is not abusing him, harming him then you have to do what the order says unless you go to court and get it changed.

You don't want to look like the bad guy here. I get it that you want to protect your son. But, you are not always going to be able to do that.

I know that you want to make everything comfortable for everyone. As soon as you realize that you don't have control over that then I think you will be in a better place too.

Good luck

Answer 3

im really not sure but i think it should be your decision. i know what its like to have a child with someone you are no longer with and they act/talk inappropriately, and embarrasses you. alot of people are gonna give you had answers im sure but they probably dont know what its like. i say just do whatever you want to do and whatever makes you and your son comfortable.  

Answer 4

Totally get where you are coming from - but is there not a way you can meet in the middle.

Why not let his dad know that there is an open house - but you and your new husband go at a different time to your ex - that way you will have no need to meet each other.

Also you could let his dad know that there is a required dress code - ie - clean and tidy- but worded nicer.  That way your son gets chance to show off his work with his dad and with you and your new partner.

The main right I know and have stood by (no matter how much a t**t my ex is) has always been that he had rights because he is the natural parent....

Good luck