I am a 30year old single gay mom with a successful academic career with plans to get my doctorate. I left my ex husband over 5 years ago and he has since chosen to respond by continuously punishing me through our 7 year old son. I have accomodated him in the past by allowing him to reschedule his visitations because of his work schedule. However, when my academic sched inteferes and I request the same assistance with him, he responds with "thats your problem." The weekends or holidays that he does see him, my son is passed off to other family members because his wife (according to my son) does not want him around when my ex is not there. my son has complained of being treated differently and was even scolded when his stepbrother made fun of me and my son complained because it hurt his feelings. they mocked him for his feelings being hurt, he was 5years at the time. he has shown so much disrespect to me in front of my son when he comes to pick him up including cursing, mocking, threatening and telling me to shut up. he refused to give me his address and is always combative. he tells everyone I stalk him and Im crazy all fabricated with no documentation, he just makes stuff up (I left him). I am afraid that when I get a fellowship out of the county he will not allow me to take my son out of spite. I refuse to allow that from furthering my career goals so I could sufficiently support my son and I, but I dont know what to do. He just doesnt want me to succeed and does everything he can psychologicaly to make me miserable or life harder for me. Now my son is old enough that he is becoming angry with the siutation and I feel so bad for him. Ive tried several times to talk to his dad but he is a stubborn bitter man. And the police see that he is a fireman and they practice the buddy system. so their reaction is to lecture me and tell me theres nothing for them to do adn they dont need to file a report even if he did threaten me physically or refused to give me my son (and when the police come he hands him over as if I were being irrational and erratic). Im exhausted. I cant afford an attny and I dont know what to do. please advize