[keltic63]

Please pray for my kids. Today they are going on a "vacation" with their mother. The destination is the sister's house which is only about 3 hours away from here. My oldest son came to visit me yesterday and voice his concerns about the trip. The aunt has become very verbally abusive of the older 2 since I left their mother. She views them as "supporting" me and "hurting" their mother, and it seems to be because I have maintained a good relationship with my kids.
In addition, the family dynamic that plays out is the 9yo, who is wonderful by himself, becomes a brat around his siblings. he instigates, slaps, punches, calls names, etc. If the older 2 defend themselves or correct him, they are attacked by their mother and aunt.
My oldest son is not looking forward to this week. He knows that there will be nothing for him or his older sister to do. The week will focus on what the 9yo wants to do, and what the mom and aunt want to do: shopping. Any resistance to their desires, or suggestions as to doing something else, will be met with criticism. If it escalates, the aunt will somehow turn it into a popularity contest between myself and the ex.

He spent nearly 2 hours here yesterday talking about it. I feel for him, but there's really no way I can help him out of the situation. I'm hoping this is the last trip like this that he'll "have" to take.