We have a challenging situation surrounding our visits with my fiance's 5 year old daughter. He and his ex have been divorced for almost four years and do not have a good relationship. In fact, their relationship is on the borderline of being fairly hostile. In the middle of this is their beautiful 5 year old daughter, who my fiance loves more than anything else, and they have a wonderful bond. She adores her daddy, and they have had a strong relationship ever since she was born. Last March he lost most of his time with his daughter - the specifics I will not go into, but suffice it to say the court hearing was unfair and biased against my fiance. He now only sees her every other weekend and every other Wednesday for a dinner visit. He used to see her every other weekend, every Tuesday overnight, and every Thursday for a dinner visit. Plus, he had summer vacation, which was taken away too. Soon after this new visitation schedule was put into effect, his daughter's behavior started to change... she was a very independent child able to play by herself, sleep by herself, and was not afraid of anything. Now she cannot be in a room by herself, will not sleep by herself, freaks out if she thinks she is alone, starts crying if she calls out to one of us and we don't answer right away, gets hysterical if she thinks her daddy has left without telling her... and it goes on and on. Just today she and I were alone while her daddy had to work, and while I took a shower she sat outside the bathroom door until I was finished. We need help. Is this normal, or is it a result of the new visitation schedule? Are there things we can do to help ease her fears? Our biggest challenge is that she spends most of her time with her mother, who we do not communicate with, so consulting with her on how to make some positive changes is not possible. Are there any suggestions for things we can do with the limited time we see her?

Sincerely in need of advice....
Photogirl