A Shocking Public Outburst: Volatile Behavior on the Youth Softball Field
It happened again. Last night at my daughter’s softball game. She was playing catcher. A girl from the opposing team was suddenly being tagged back and forth between 3rd and my daughter at home base. After several back-and-forths, SD somehow ended up chasing her to 3rd, while the pitcher ended up on her side. The parents in the stands love watching these interactions. They’re different, breaking up the routine of your typical game, and can get pretty comical.
This is where we all were when suddenly everything and everyone shifted to a stunned silence. From the dugout comes his body, moving fast, lunging forward and screaming, “SD WHY?! f*ING WHY?! YOU LET HER… (ranting continues)”
It continued beyond the uncomfortable shock, to the point where everyone was in disbelief that he had not stopped, as if the entire field were not staring.
This morning I ask myself why I can’t be the mom who steps in and takes my child off that field, while knowing full well my hands have been tied since before my divorce.
The Hidden Dangers of Leaving: Fear of Retaliation Against Siblings
To begin with, I have three children, and leaving two of them behind, back at his home, after I have triggered his rage by taking the one would leave my other two in a position I am more familiar with than I care to imagine.
The "Civil Matter" Loophole: When Law Enforcement Cannot Intervene in Custody
Calling for support doesn’t help, as we parents are simply told law enforcement does not enforce civil matters. I am to go through the courts. Once a custody agreement is in place, their hands are tied. Again, leaving my children exposed once I have triggered his rage.
When Outbursts Continue: A Community Searching for a Way Forward
This has happened on these fields 2–3 times every spring and every fall since we moved here. No matter how many people try to intervene and get involved in the aftermath (he has actually been ticketed before for trespassing after being kicked out by a referee), he keeps coming back to coach every season for every team my children play on. Parents are in disbelief. Some leave our program.
Family Court Failures: 50/50 Custody Despite Domestic Violence Injunctions
The one domestic violence injunction that was approved protected only me, not the children whose messages with him were used to grant me that protection. Guns and threats were involved. He still has 50% custody, and changing that has never once been considered despite my continued requests each time I file contempt and enforcement motions.
A Mother's Desperate Plea: Surviving Systemic Failures in Family Law While Holding onto Grace
What am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to protect my children?
This is my last resort. This has to work. Because in a system that works this way, there is no way I am the only one feeling this way, dealing with this type of violent personality that is capable of so much more than we publicly see on the ball field.
