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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not contribute to DH child maintenance

454 replies

Redbean667 · 15/05/2026 13:44

So DH is self employed and gets paid weekly he has 1 DS and pays maintenance to his mum weekly and has child EOW as works away. I have 2 DS and work 12.5 hour shifts and my mum helps me with school pick up and drop offs (both teenagers) when I am working- DSS school is around 1 hour from us as his mums is 40 mins away and it’s 20 mins further from her house.
we had DSS last weekend when his mum rings Sunday late afternoon to say she forgot to say she is on holiday and was already at the airport so DSS will be with us for the week. Due to my shifts and own children I could not work school runs that late notice so DH had to take the week off- unfortunately was a vital week for his work before they finish one job and move to the next so he was let go as had let them down last minute.
He has told ex he lost job and maintenance will not commence until he finds another and he will let her know when this is- she has sent text saying I have to pay it and it’s my responsibility.
I have said absolutely not as I am now trying to find money for our home and bills because she decided to not give adequate notice for her holiday and I actually don’t have enough to cover everything at my home and pay her. Texts from ex are getting increasingly angry as she is in holiday and ‘needed that money while away’ saying what I disgrace I am letting her son go without- I pointed out he hasn’t gone without as is our home.
so AIBU for not paying her

OP posts:
Redbean667 · 15/05/2026 13:49

DSS is 12.
I know she didn’t forget to tell us as this is not the first time something like this has happened with her and she was told last time when she told us on the weekend pick up he needed more notice to plan so I feel the later notice was more proving a point

OP posts:
ForeverPombear · 15/05/2026 13:47

There's no way she forgot she was going on holiday, she didn't tell you deliberately until the last minute.

It's not your responsibility to pay her - it's your husbands. Yes if you could afford it then I think it would be nice for you to but you're worrying about your own bills etc because he lost his job so no, I wouldn't be paying.

How old is your dss?

NeverDropYourMooncup · 15/05/2026 13:46

You're not legally liable for his Child Maintenance.

She can go to CMS and that'll be the end of it (legally).

The rest is fairly immaterial, but it does explain why he is not able to pay right now, so I can see why you included it.

purplecorkheart · 15/05/2026 13:46

Sounds like she wants you to fund her holiday. I would just block her to be honest.