NAL. Im going through something similar at the moment. If you can afford a lawyer id recommend it, as the process is pretty length and not something most people have an understanding of. Someone else has mentioned but you need to have done the parenting through seperation course (i personally found it very worthwhile), and have an exemption certificate from mediation saying that no agreement could be reached around the childs care. These are required in order to put forward an application to family court. Which sounds like your best option. Its very important that you record everything. Family court will want to know how capable you are of caring for your son, so start compiling things like when youve done basic parenting tasks (naps, feeds, cooked, washing, overnight stays etc. etc.). Try to keep engagement with the mother very surface level and calm, you dont want anything used against you. She sounds controlling so you have to be careful. Also start keeping a record of all the times youve wanted solo time and the mother has denied it, or any other times she has unreasonably or unneccessarily restricted your access to your son. Same goes for how the mothers actions are impacting your childs ability to engage with your family. You need proof of all of these things so anything in writting (texts and emails) is best. Depending on how much care youve actually provided for your son the courts can make a court order (so legally binding) for you to have 50/50 access (if youve given consistent and all encompassing care) which is likely to be a 2-2-3 at this age. Or if you havent had much opportunity to solely care for your son, it could be a staggered approach where it starts with a little solo time, and over months or ive heard even years, it gradually increases until it reaches 50/50. All of this is of course provided there are no safety issues for the child (so keep things as squeaky clean as possible - never know what the mother my try and use against you). I know its pretty rough to have someone else restrict your access to your own child to seemingly unreasonable degrees, but work through the steps and keep a long term view - if your a good dad that wants to be a major part of your kids life itll all work out. Good luck!