Chapter 13 - The temporary family order
Isolde filed for grandparent visitation after child welfare restricted contact.
She did not seek custody immediately.
Her lawyer advised against it.
Good.
She argued:
Longstanding relationship.
Regular caregiving.
Tamsin lost her mother.
Complete cutoff could harm the child.
True enough to require thought.
I requested:
No contact until therapy recommended.
Judge Helen Markham held a temporary hearing.
She did not like either adult’s violence.
To me:
“You slapped your mother in front of your child.”
“Yes.”
“To Isolde:
“You slapped a seven-year-old and recorded distress you helped create.”
Isolde said:
“I disagree with that characterization.”
Judge:
“That is why we have proceedings.”
Then temporary order:
No unsupervised Isolde contact.
No food-related discipline.
No recording.
One screened letter through therapist.
Possible therapeutic visit after Dr. Price assesses readiness.
No school pickup.
No medical authority.
No caregiver authorization.
No trust-related contact through Tamsin.
Then my role.
No questioning Tamsin about Isolde beyond ordinary safety/therapy needs.
No coaching.
No using child as witness against grandmother.
Good.
Then Isolde asked:
“What about Christmas?”
Judge:
“It is September.”
May you like
I almost laughed.
Some people litigate calendars because control feels easier with dates.
