If you think your ex partner may be using childcare arrangements to control you, it’s important to get help. Controlling behaviour can take place within a partnership or marriage. But it can also happen once you’ve separated from your partner.
When someone uses a pattern of behaviour to exert power over you, this is coercive control. It may affect your self worth or your independence.
If you’re worried someone might see that you’ve visited this page, Stop Domestic Abuse explains how to cover your tracks online.
Read this in Welsh/ Darllenwch hwn yn Gymraeg: Mae fy nghyn-gymar yn defnyddio trefniadau gofal plant i’m rheoli
It’s not always easy to spot the signs of control. A person may try to tell you how to behave or what to think, or take away your independence. They might use your money or time for their own benefit rather than yours. You may feel scared, worried, humiliated or isolated. The behaviour can also sometimes include assault.
Some signs your ex may be using childcare to control you include:
Sometimes disagreements will happen for other reasons other than control. Always try to speak to your ex about what’s worrying you. See if you can come up with a solution together, and try to keep to any arrangements you made.
If you feel at all worried about how your ex is behaving, make sure you speak to someone. You can also take some steps to protect yourself and your child:
Coercive control is a form of abuse. You can get support from the following places: