Dad going to Disneyland without his son

What is the issue, though? It's not a family holiday that he is leaving his son out of. He's just going on holiday with his girlfriend.

You don’t sound as if there’s a whole lot of ‘brain activity’ going on with you, either, OP. And regardless of where the former husband of a friend of a friend is going on holiday with his new partner, why on earth would you be telling someone who isn’t even a friend of yours? Step back and maybe work on your internal misogyny.

Wouldn't you think the dad would say that then? Come on.

This!

Of course couples can have childfree holidays, I hope the dad regularly takes the child in school holidays so mum can have a childfree holiday too (doubt it!).

But Disneyland? Totally agree, a decent parents first thought would be that child has to come.

And why are people sticking up for bimbo, after all, it sounds like she's absolutely fine having an affair with a married man, which does sound pretty thick of her. He's clearly a cheating twat who's happy to rarely see his son and thinks money grows on trees for children, so more fool her really.

Yep, OP, you're not wrong. There's a lot of selfish parents out there, most notably men who leave their families and shirk their responsibilities.

You don't know the whole story. Maybe the Mum has said no to the older child going or they have plans for that period. It's easy to judge from the outside looking in but what does any of it have to do with you, really. You speak in very derogatory terms so it's clear you'd be judging them whatever they do.

So this woman is really nice and sweet but you have chosen to ridicule her and call her names?

And you're judging HIM?

Maybe do some work on your internalised misogyny.

Once you've figured that out, unpack why you believe parents must do everything with their child?
Many adults love Disney.

He may be a crap man and a shit father, but you are really showing yourself up with your OP.

Another one saying YABVU for the bimbo shit, says a lot more about your brain than hers. As does lacking the imagination to see that someone over 40 could enjoy Disneyland.

If he was paying for her kids to go, then fair enough, he is an arse. If he is just having a holiday with his new gf, then I do think they should be allowed this. As long as he pays at least his obligation in child support, then it doesn't really matter if he complains how much it is, it just makes him look a bit tight.

You say she is sweet and kind, yet you are very unpleasant about her.
I couldn't get past the bimbo bit of your post tbh.

You need to just mind your own business, they are not even good friends of yours. You must be easily shocked if you "went numb" at this news 🙄

You're a bit harsh on the girlfriend. My friend, who was still with her DC father, mentioned going to a place overseas very popular with families. I said 'ooohhhh your DC will love it!' Look of horror - 'Why would I ruin a perfectly good holiday by taking my kids?'. Yes, those words, in front of both our DC. They understood, too. DD kept asking all afternoon if she was coming on the holiday we'd just booked.

They travelled all over & dumped kids on her MIL. Never took them once.

Some people are just sh*t parents, regardless of status.

Mind your own business. Parents are entitled to some alone time occasionally, if they take their children away at other times.
Your description of the man’s girlfriend as “bimbo” makes you seem utterly vile. Are you jealous of her?

You lost me at bimbo.
Maybe he is a shit dad, maybe he isn’t, you aren’t close enough with any of them to know what has gone on.

I disagree with the previous comments about it being fine for him to go on this trip without his son.

The bloke moans about how much he’s paying for his son - and then goes to Disneyland. Seriously? Surely we all know that is expensive and it seems mean to me to go there and not take DC.

You're not looking great in this, OP. Stay out of other people's business, maybe? The woman isn't even your friend.

And if you went numb at this, you must lead a charmed life.

Agreed. Your point stands - without any unpleasant comments about this woman.

When I was a kid, my dad took his new family away every year without me, usually to Florida. I went to Butlins once.

Good God I assume your a woman? And referring to another woman as a bimbo!? Why is how she looks or her age got anything to do with anything here??

In regards to your post- so divorced dad goes on a trip with new partner, seems fine to me. Is there a list of places we cannot go without our kids? Maybe she is really into Disney, or Christmas, and doesn't want a trip with her partners son. Which is absolutely fine

Is the child supported loved and happy? Those are the biggest points here. Not the fact a father is going a trip without his child. If it was Rome would you feel such hatred? Why or why not?

Of course ita fine for parents to do things without their kids. But Disney is such a kid centric thing, it's the Christmas holidays...if his child found out he had gone without him, he is likely to be absolutely gutted. And 'being sick of thinking about everyone else'. Imagine being so sick of thinking about your own kid at Christmas. I wouldn't tell the mum, what's it going to achieve other than make her feel like shit

You went numb?

YABU using the term bimbo! Ridiculous.

parents can go on holiday without their children.
ds has already been to Disneyland so I don’t see a problem.

It’s fine actually and you seem like a jealous and sour person. He can do whatever he wants? It’s not a problem for adults to do things on their own, I’m sure he gives other experiences to the boy and he mentioned he’s already taken him to that exact place before? in my eyes this is one of those things that is no big deal

This was exactly my thoughts when I read the OP. I don't see a problem here. Perhaps this is like a "honeymoon" type holiday in a new relationship. I do realise it's tough on the kid with his parents having split up. But he has been to Disneyland before he is hardly deprived, is he.

YANBU about the rubbish parenting of the dad.

YABU with the "bimbo" name calling.