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Ex help so I can take kids to Disney?

60 replies

Honeymonster2 · 29/10/2024 14:34

What's your opinion on this scenario...

Had a family holiday booked before we broke up to disneyland, we decided to still go until recently when we've kind of said we can't afford the original booking.

Fast forward to now, things are a bit less harmonious between us than they had been before but not all rows and arguments.

I messaged asking if I downgraded the hotel package would he still like to all go, I would cover it, but he would need to cover some of the food when we're out there. He said no, but if I wanted to go with the kids he won't be upset. I said ok, if you're sure, could you look after the baby and maybe the toddler too, so I can take our older children (8 and 6) as if I had any more of the kids, we wouldn't be able to access much of the rides etc as I would be heavily outnumbered by really young kids. He said no I won't take time off work so you can go on holiday. I said, well it's not really me off on my Jolly's it's so the kids can go to disneyland and he said no, don't go down that route...

Am I being selfish? I do love disney, but I would also look after my kids so the older ones could have an amazing experience too as long as the younger ones had something amazing to make up for it. But he's flat out said no, hinting because I'm selfish?

BG - he has the children at my house every other weekend, I have all 4 the rest of the time. We agreed to be friendly and helpful to each other in the breakup, but the cracks are starting to show now I have a new boyfriend.

OP posts:
Honeymonster2 · 29/10/2024 15:11

Sprogonthetyne · 29/10/2024 15:04

I think it might be better to go on a holiday that you can manage with all the DC, and maybe save Disney until they're all older (or just not, it's not compulsory and sounds like it will be a financial strain to go).

Whilst he probably is a twat in other areas (or he wouldn't be an ex), I don't actually think he's been unreasonable on this one. He only get so much annual leave, and probably wants or needs to save it for other things, like holidays for himself and the kids or covering his share of school holidays. It also wouldn't be much fun dealing with a week of "it's not fair, I want Disney" from the toddler, and an upset baby that away from its primary carer for longer then its use to.

I do fully understand that and I would feel guilty him taking time 'for me' but he won't be taking time off in any of the school holidays that's down to me

OP posts:
Honeymonster2 · 29/10/2024 15:09

mamajong · 29/10/2024 14:54

I can see his point if he's having to take time off work, in his shoes I'd rather take time off with all the kids to do something with them, and I can also understand him not wanting to come with you if you are separated.

I can also understand the challenge you would face solo, as we are a large family. Is it an option to bring another adult with you to help - a friend or family member? Or could you postpone the trip for a year or 2 until the little ones are a bit bigger and the older ones more independent?

Problem is, he wouldn't take time off to have all of them either lol he took time off to take his gf and her daughter to birmingham for 5 days and I had to remind him he could be taking days for his own children lol

OP posts:
VisitationRights · 29/10/2024 15:09

when he says he wants cooperative coparenting he doesn’t mean him helping you, silly, just for you to accommodate him.

you need boundaries in place. He needs to sort out his own way to have contact with the children, it should not be in your place. It doesn’t matter if his place is to small or he is staying with family or couch surfing etc. it is his problem to sort out.

having said that, there is no way for you to make him parent his own children or help you out so you need to get used to that and come up with your own coping mechanisms. It sucks, he is the selfish one, but that’s likely the way he will remain.

Blankscreen · 29/10/2024 15:07

Fine if he wants clear boundaries you need to implement them across the board.

  1. He needs contact with the children away from your house.
  1. You need to agree holidays upfront. He needs to have ALL of them for x weeks a year.
  1. Do you work? If not get a job and he can pick up some of the childcare responsibilities in the week
Sprogonthetyne · 29/10/2024 15:04

I think it might be better to go on a holiday that you can manage with all the DC, and maybe save Disney until they're all older (or just not, it's not compulsory and sounds like it will be a financial strain to go).

Whilst he probably is a twat in other areas (or he wouldn't be an ex), I don't actually think he's been unreasonable on this one. He only get so much annual leave, and probably wants or needs to save it for other things, like holidays for himself and the kids or covering his share of school holidays. It also wouldn't be much fun dealing with a week of "it's not fair, I want Disney" from the toddler, and an upset baby that away from its primary carer for longer then its use to.

Blanca87 · 29/10/2024 15:01

So I would stop the contact at your house for starters. Put boundaries in place he needs to look after his own children independently. He seems to cherry pick when
to be helpful and by that I mean when it suits him.

cestlavielife · 29/10/2024 14:57

No one needs to go to Disney land
Save it for later or take a friend to help you
Why dies he have dc at yourhouse

mamajong · 29/10/2024 14:54

I can see his point if he's having to take time off work, in his shoes I'd rather take time off with all the kids to do something with them, and I can also understand him not wanting to come with you if you are separated.

I can also understand the challenge you would face solo, as we are a large family. Is it an option to bring another adult with you to help - a friend or family member? Or could you postpone the trip for a year or 2 until the little ones are a bit bigger and the older ones more independent?

whatatodoaboutnothing · 29/10/2024 14:50

i mean it would be a nice thing to do but presumably he’s a lazy parent and that’s part of the reason he’s an ex

Honeymonster2 · 29/10/2024 14:49

.

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