Yes

I've toyed with that Idea, but not quite got there yet - daughter is still too young to understand much of it, although she is fully aware that there is a problem.

For the record, mothers departure from the home hasn't resulted in the expected traumatised behaviour scenario, but rather the child has actually calmed down a lot (was already well behaved and bright)and is really developing into a clever, thoughtful together and confident individual.

Life at home has never been so relaxed and carefree.

The issue now is keeping her out of harms way - ie not going round to dealers house where needs are ignored.

mg - I have been slowly digesting what you said and considering how off the handle you may have flown, but in fact I fear you may not be as far off the mark as I wish you were.

My daughter is extremely beautiful and looks like growing up to be a bit of a looker.

What you say about creeps does concern me (and I am not the kind of guy to go out and lynch a paediatrician because I didn't know that means he's a "childrens doctor" and not a "chld molester" as crowds of people have been known to do in this country rather than spend a few short minutes checking their dictionaries)

I know the guy in queston has had his son run errands for him. I know he is the main source of stability for a 13 year old girl, herself known to abuse drugs and to be sexually active, and she in turn has a boyfriend who is in and out of youth correctional facilities. The girls mother was constantly overdosing before finally committing suicide fairly recently.

Myself and the Dealer had a period of contact at one point as I felt it worth trying to appeal to his better nature, but after a while I cut all lines of communication as my ex was stirring things up between us and he made it clear that he didn't wish to be involved in our dispute and that if I involved him in any way that was detrimental to the quality of the last years of his life (he is an old man with a terminal illness) that he had the means and the will to kill if he deemed it necessary.

This is the environment into which my ex feels it is appropriate to bring our daughter and it is the next battle I must win. It is not acceptable and I can't accept it.

I have a plan for now, but the question of her work issues is not a key factor - the key factor in all of this is the risk to the child which, particularly after sunday, is simply not a matter of opinion