Advice needed

[missmartini]

Put this on what would you do but reposting here for traffic.

Ok I’m serious need of advice.

DH and I split 3 years ago...it’s been horrible at times, ok at others and downright nasty at other times.

We have arrangements through lawyers of him seeing the children and through his own arrangements he sees the children for 47.5 hours over a 2 week period. His choice and I have never said he can’t see them - In fact I asked for more time with him and he refused.

Few months ago I got a text from exSIL saying “as you know I’m getting married etc” I had no idea and the date she’s getting married on we already have a family communion (my brothers DD) have already bought both DS1 and DS2 suits, children’s entertainment organised, meals preordered etc. She has also already asked DS1 to be a Page boy, again no communication to me. Said I wasn’t happy about it as I’m sure exh has known this date for a long time, it isn’t his weekend and he should have told me long before now however I know a wedding trumps a communion so they’ll be going to that.

Now the plans they want is to pick the children up the morning of the wedding...and make arrangements to get them back to me after the first dance...well after 8pm. DS1 is 6 and DS2 is 3. This is all through exSIL btw I have told her I will only make arrangements with their father as he is responsible for them and she wasn’t happy with that.

AIBU in thinking that if you want the children at your sisters wedding then it’s only right that you are responsible for them the full day and night and not ship them back to me when they’re tired/ grumpy so you can go back and get pissed with the nighttime guests? No other children are getting sent away after the first dance only mine.

What would you do?

My choices are...

1. Go with what they want and get 2 no doubt sleeping boys home and cut my own arrangements/ plans short (that’s if they’re even willing to drop them off I don’t know yet, they might be expecting me to pick them up, 30 minute drive away
   
   Or
   
   
2. Insist that if they’re going they go for the full day and night and if they’re not willing to do that then say they don’t go and they come to me to the communion as planned with a magician, bouncy castle, meal and family party after.
   
   If it matters the “after party “ for the communion is 2 streets away where I will walk home when the boys are ready for their bed. I won’t be drinking on the day as I’m responsible for my children.

[steff13]

I'd say he either swaps weekends and keeps them the whole time, or you keep them and take them to the christening as planned.

[Nearlythere1]

Take them to the communion. It's your weekend anyway, it was already planned, and it sound much more suitable and fun for the kids anyway.

[IvanaPee]

He either swaps weekends or he doesn’t. And if he swaps weekends he has them for the whole weekend. That would be my view.

But only because yours are the only children being sent away! Wtf is that about?

[steff13]

Oops, communion, sorry. 😮

[RedHelenB]

I would go with what SIL wants, she's only getting married once and she wants her nephews there.

[missmartini]

Thanks everyone. I wouldn't be able to swap weekends before or after due to plans we have already made planning in advance of the boys not being there and both not suitable for kids. I might suggest another swap further down the line. I just feel as if I'm getting used as a babysitter regardless of the plans we had in place.

There will be lots of other children there including my exSIL own child who again I highly doubt will be getting sent away after the first dance like mine are.

[missmartini]

@RedHelenB I appreciate that point of view, it's her second wedding. I don't have an issue with what exSIL wants it's the fact that their father isn't looking as if he is willing to step up to be responsible for his children the full day and night as I need to when I have a wedding or family party when the children are there, I don't have the option to send them anywhere when i want to enjoy the rest of my night.

However I also know I'm being over emotionally involved and potentially dramatic

[IvanaPee]

Hmm. I think that changes things a bit for me.

If you can’t offer a swap then you need to decide if you’re willing to let SIL have them for one of the days. And in the circumstances, I would. Because it’s her wedding.

Are they being sent back to you because it’s your weekend? I’m confused!

[steff13]

Even if you can't swap, it won't kill him to have his own kids two weekends in a row. He can take them for the wedding and return them the next day, or not take them at all.

[missmartini]

Sorry @IvanaPee

It would be my weekend and we have the communion plans. I've only recently found out about this wedding...again all through exSIL no contact through exDH which I find bizarre but maybe just me.

It just appears to me that they want them to show them off and then when the going it getting tough at that point it's a case of bring them back to me to deal with. All their cousins and aunts/ uncle who they don't see very often will be there and not leaving when they are. I was MOH for a friend before Christmas and was there with the boys. At around 9:30 they were getting shattered so I took them up to the hotel room to sleep where I stayed with them the rest of the night, I don't see an issue with this. I think this is what a responsible parent does. If I had to have asked him if I could bring them back and then got the night to myself the answer would have been a resounding no.

If it makes a difference ex SIL only occasionally sees them when exDH has them. She never sees them individually or makes plans with them outside of any arrangements, I was surprised when she said about DS1 being page boy cause she barely sees him.

[missmartini]

@steff13 that's where I am with it that an extra weekend isn't going to be an issue or shouldn't be to spend more time with your children but I don't know if I'm being over sensitive

[Nearlythere1]

OP that's another thing i was going to say. They just want the kids there fore the photo ops and playing the part, not for any love of having them there themselves. I have relatives like this. Honestly I just would stick to your own plans. It sounds like you and your kids are being used.

[IvanaPee]

I don’t think that makes a difference, no.

I have nieces and nephews that I see only when I see their parents. I don’t make any special plans to take them out. There are too many for a start, and I have my own dc.

It doesnt mean I don’t love them and I wouldn’t want them there at my wedding!

I don’t think you can view her wanting them in the wedding as a negative. A lot of people want small children there for the photos because they don’t add anything to the occasion apart from looking cute! I wouldn’t read more into that than necessary.

I guess what it comes down to is whether you’re willing to let him have them till 8pm or not. That’s really all there is to it. You can’t control ex’s behaviour and decisions, only your own.

So if you’re not happy to do it (and that’s fine) then just say no and don’t sweat it any further!

[missmartini]

Thanks @IvanaPee I guess I'm just used to how my DB and family are with the boys. They have sleepovers with my DB during school holidays, he works shifts and when he can will always offer at least a few times a month to pick DS1 from school and then DS2 from nursery to see them and spend time with them. I know though that this is representative of "love" and I don't doubt that she doesn't love them and wants them at her day which I'm happy for them to go with I just want the children to be priority (for their father) when it comes to looking after them that day/ night and not until it suits him.

Thanks @Nearlythere1

[IvanaPee]

I can understand that but unfortunately it doesn’t look like that’s what you’re going to get!

That being said, you would be WELL within your rights to say

“I’m more than happy for them to attend the wedding. However, we had a family event and I wasn’t planning on returning home that night. So if dad can’t keep them overnight he’ll have to make arrangements as I won’t be available.”

That seems a fair compromise!

[GreenTulips]

I think there DH doesn’t want them there, because he won’t be able to drink and party! Hence SIL doing the asking!

Have you spoke to Ex about what his plans are to look after the children, because you have plans to stay on at the communion!

[missmartini]

Thanks again @IvanaPee for you level headed response. I really do appreciate it.

I guess I just get easily wound up when it comes to these types of things. I plan family get togethers/ wedding/ any big event around the boys meaning I'm prepared to leave when they are. We have an engagement party tonight, they'll go for a nap around 2ish (as will I lol) and then I'll drive to the venue and hope they last the pace. If not then it's not an issue to put them in the car and drive home and put them to bed I just see it as what you do when you have kids this age as they're my priority, I get upset when I don't see that from the other side as well.

[missmartini]

@GreenTulips I said to exSIL I would make arrangements with him, she wasn't happy about that but at the end of the day I want to make arrangements with their father as he will be responsible for them on the day, not her and I don't in anyway expect her to be, she'll be having the time of her life and rightfully so!

I've text him my thoughts which is what I've put here about I assumed it would be the day and night as no other children are leaving etc I've yet to get a reply. Normally when I have any conversation that's going to be potentially problematic I get replies that have clearly been written by his parents. Laughably so tbh so that's what I'm expecting at some point.

[IvanaPee]

That’s understandable and does you credit. You’re a good mum and they’re lucky to have you.

Their dad isn’t stepping up in the same way, and that’s bound to make you upset and angry but the only thing you can do is try to find a way to not let it bother you (way easier said than done, I know!) because he might never change and he doesn’t deserve the headspace you’re giving him!

though, I know it’s super annoying!

[AnnieOH1]

Honestly I would be going to the communion with them and sod your ex in laws. It doesn't sound like your former sister in law is interested really or you would have known about the wedding sooner. If your kids had been older or you had been invited too, or their dad had just got in gear and sorted it then fair enough.

Additionally I would say the communion is more important than anyway but maybe that's me.

[IvanaPee]

Normally when I have any conversation that's going to be potentially problematic I get replies that have clearly been written by his parents.

What a loser! Getting mummy and daddy to write his responses!

I honestly would say: look you can have them for the wedding but it needs to be until Sunday morning as I’m not around until Sunday at 11.30. (For example.)

He’ll either make appropriate arrangements or you’ll take them to the communion :)

[missmartini]

Thanks everyone. I get myself in such a mess sometimes when it comes to these situations and I'm always made to feel like I'm being out of order.

At the end of the day I don't have an issue with them going, what I want is that if they are going they're included in the full day/ night as any other children that will be there and that they are looked after responsibly for the duration, I don't think I'm asking too much for their father to watch them at his family wedding but will see what the reply I get says when I eventually get one.

[IvanaPee]

You don’t have to change your Mind based on his reply.

That’s your decision, those are the terms. He has a perfectly valid choice before him; bring them or don’t. His decision is not your responsibility.

[missmartini]

You're right @IvanaPee (can you literally be my life sorter please?! I'll pay you in chocolate, Prosecco and a Friday night Chinese take away! 😂😂😂)

That's what I'm sticking to and me and the boys will have a great day at the communion if they're not wanted at the wedding for the full time.

[Nuyearnume]

Which one would you children rather go to and have more fun at? If your boys would like to go for a while to both is that possible or too far apart?