He left again after five weeks........

[ACJ]

There already is a huge split between the girls and their brother because H always calls S17

This is exactly what has happened in our house except it isn't telephone calls it's spending time with S15 and not his sisters (unless of course you count once a month for breakfast).

HB2 is right. Stop asking them about H it only infuriates them. Of course listen if they offer information but don't fish for it. I've started doing this and also not being available on the odd occassion that he does come round to the house. So far I have seen no difference but H will have done b/c I've stopped reacting to what the kids tell me (most of the time now I don't know what he has said/done).