This has been going on for years, but it has become so pronounced that I feel like I need to do something.

First of all, my ex and I do NOT have a good working relationship. She makes promises and then does not keep them and lies continually. So talking about it won't help at all.

The problem is this. We live about 300 miles apart, but she refuses to meet me halfway to arrange visitation. There is nothing in the court order that requires her to because at the time we lived in the same town.

However, she will agree to meet me halfway and then have one of my children call to say she can't and that I will have to drive the entire 300 miles. I can hear her in the background prompting my 12 year old daughter on what to say. She claims that all three of the children have "issues" with me, but up until 2 years ago everything was fine.

Now I call and no one answers the phone (other family members have the same problem so its not just me) no one returns calls and I have no idea what is being said to cause these so-called "issues."

Nothing has changed on my end. I have bent over backwards and driven the full 300 miles (600 roundtrip) at least 6 times in the last year. This last time I stood my ground and insisted that she meet me halfway. She began to curse and call me names and my children were in the car with her. That is what I mean by "poisoning their minds."

My choices are: (1) take her to court (very expensive) (2) keep trying to work it out with her and just ignore her outbursts (3) stand my ground even if it means I see my children less (and worry about explaining it to them when they are older) (4) try to talk to my children now to find out what is going on; ie, what are the issues they have with me. I worry about #4 because I will be doing what she is doing; that is, using the children as a weapon. So far I have managed to avoid that. (I refuse to talk about their mother when I am with them)

I spoke with an attorney and he estimated 15k to take her to court. That does not include the cost of a Guardian for the minor children. (the oldest is 21, then 15, and 12.)

I would appreciate some advice.

Thanks