Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to object to my 13-year-old daughter moving in with her dad?

742 replies

Bigglebiggle · 11/06/2026 13:11

Have a DD age 13, for the last 10 years she has lived with me primarily and stayed with dad every other weekend and through the holidays. There has been periods in the past she has said she does not like dads and did not want to go, however I have always encouraged this.

I have been with my partner for 3 years, due to get married next year and ever since the engagement DD has been trying to split us up. Recently she has told her dad and school information that is not true, leading to the welfare officer being involved. She does not like my partner as she feels he is strict on her, however he asks her to do what most 13 year olds do, tidy her room, help with chores etc.

DD has informed us and her school she wants to live with dad, however I know this is just a phase and informed her and her dad this is not going to happen, I dont want my child living away from me. Today I have got a call from the school to say DDs dad has picked her up and taken out a court order, im at a loss of what to do, im heart broken.

AIBU to think he is just being over the top and to go to their his house to demand her back?

OP posts:
PollyBell · 12/06/2026 06:10

Glowingup · 12/06/2026 05:15

Why some women can’t be content just to be a mum is beyond me.

And there we have it. You are supposed to be celibate once you’ve served your purpose of reproducing and if your marriage doesn’t work out.

Who said anything about being celibate? shag all you want just dont move them in, and yes this should incude fathers as well

Beigepjs · 12/06/2026 06:04

Glowingup · 12/06/2026 05:15

Why some women can’t be content just to be a mum is beyond me.

And there we have it. You are supposed to be celibate once you’ve served your purpose of reproducing and if your marriage doesn’t work out.

Children crave a calm stable environment.
Inconvenient but true.
Divorced parents parading endless partners through their home doesn't provide a stable safe emotionally space for them.

Children are inherently naturally quite selfish.
They want to live their little lives whilst we focus on loving them, providing them with wamth, support and comfort.
Our emotional needs are not their concern, nor should they be.

This is difficult for parents who are driven by their own needs ahead of their children.
Parents that are more focused on their wants and desires than their children, and feel they are "entitled to be happy too".

I disagree that a parents happiness comes ahead of their childrens.
Once you make the decision to bring children into this world, you are committed to putting their happiness and security ahead of your own.

I know that in divorce, many men do not do this, moving on very quickly to a new partner.
But I hold mothers to a higher standar((d as do most mothers themselves.
They know this is not in their childrens long-term best interests.

I know this because I have female widowed friends, that despite meeting a new partner didn't blend families, didn't move men in, nor entertain selling the family home.

Their childrens stability was their number one priority, above everything.

Children can and do survive losing a parent to death or divorce.
But multiple relationships foisted on them does not foster stability.

Women I know have "together but apart" relationships, and their children grew into secure happy adults despite losing a beloved father, or divorce.

Definitely there is sacrifice involved, but sacrifice is a part of raising children.

In my early 20's I shared a great house in a fabulous urban setting. We had periodic new roommates moving in and out. It was a great time, but every new person changed the dynamic and mixed things up, some better than others, but always different.

I cannot imagine how difficult it must be for a child to experience this in their homes they have to share with one parent, or going between homes.
Having no right of say.
It certainly must be very unsettling.

It is the very opposite of a calm, predictable environment.

I appreciate this triggers posters who feel entitled to move on to a new relationship.
But the lived truth for many children is it is really not great and it spoils their childhood.

Having children is a huge commitment and sometimes the right thing to do is hard, putting their needs ahead of your own.

Glowingup · 12/06/2026 05:15

Why some women can’t be content just to be a mum is beyond me.

And there we have it. You are supposed to be celibate once you’ve served your purpose of reproducing and if your marriage doesn’t work out.

Janblues28 · 12/06/2026 04:06

Is this a wind up? Probably best she goes to live with her dad because you seem to be prioritising your own relationship with your partner over the one with your daughter. Poor kid.

Rosesandthorns66 · 12/06/2026 03:40

It appears your daughter is unhappy and has had to make this decision of going to her dads.

She has been living with you so it must have been hard but she must have felt she has no choice because you are not listening to her.
You have said in your first introduction post,
"AIBU to think he is just being over the top and to go to their his house to demand her back?"

This makes me think do you also demand that she listens to you and your partner in your house.

If you don't want to lose your relationship with your daughter, I do believe you will have to prioritise your daughter and listen to how she is feeling and what she wants.
You say you are heartbroken then....
I think your partner will have to move out and your daughter needs to be your priority.
You need to show her you love her and are willing to listen to her and put her first.
Please, mend your relationship with your child.
Your partner needs to step back and let you prioritise your relationship with your daughter.
Also, he shouldn't be telling your daughter, what to do.

I hope you manage to sort everything out, by listening to your daughter and realising this situation is making her unhappy.

3luckystars · 12/06/2026 03:09

Bigglebiggle · 11/06/2026 13:32

She has lived with a couple over the years, her dad is married with another child and she has no problem with their relationship. She hasn't had problems with any of my previous relationships either, it seems to be the marriage she is having problems with. I have explained to her it won't change anything from what it is now.

You seem to be having a lot of relationships. I don’t think that’s a good idea as your daughter is so young and the relationship with her would be the priority.

disturbia · 12/06/2026 03:00

If Dad applied to the Family Court for a Child Arrangement Order you would have been involved and attended a court hearing plus a court social worker CAFCASS would have interviewed your daughter and made a report for the final hearing. You would know the outcome directly from court not school so what happened here? This can't be done any other way if you are in UK.

LBFseBrom · 12/06/2026 01:40

Why not just accept it? You'll still see her, she will visit and it's likely she will want to come back but, for now, let her go. It won't hurt to have a break from each other.

OhcantthInkofaname · 12/06/2026 01:40

GaIadriel · 11/06/2026 23:08

Is it not also possible she's just a bit of a stroppy teen who's got the hump from being asked to clean up after herself after many years of getting away with it? Some of these posts are really projecting.

I agree. She is a weekend visitor at dads. Just wait until she has rules there.

OhcantthInkofaname · 12/06/2026 01:28

You have to abide by the court order. Let her go. She is at an age where the court will let her decide where she wants to live. She is going to have to abide by the rules and conditions at her dad's home. Right now she's just an occasional visitor there. Give it a chance to play out.

BrokenWingsCantFly · 12/06/2026 01:18

Bigglebiggle · 11/06/2026 13:32

She has lived with a couple over the years, her dad is married with another child and she has no problem with their relationship. She hasn't had problems with any of my previous relationships either, it seems to be the marriage she is having problems with. I have explained to her it won't change anything from what it is now.

Why do you keep moving men into your home? Surely after she has already had to adjust to a couple of men you might think twice against making her go through this over and over.

Her being OK with the past men and her dad's partner, isn't exactly an argument in your favour here.

It's not his place to disapline her. It is already a big ask to expect her to live with yet another man, but to let him start making the orders is overstepping. If he don't like how she is and how you disapline, then this isn't the relationship for him. It must be awful for her to listen to you both arguing about her behaviour, dreadful. I'm guessing he is the 1 complaining about her behaviour and you are trying to defend, as if it was the other way around she wouldn't want to be getting rid of him.

Her feelings have probably got worse since the proposal as she starts to worry living with this guy won't be a temporary thing like the others. You say things won't change after marriage. Firstly she doesn't like how things are now, so how does that help. Secondly, how do you know they won't change? He is already telling her off and arguing with you about her behaviour. How do you know it won't escalate when he feels he got his feet permanently under the table. You can't promise her that.

Shouldn't have moved him in after she has had to put up with multiple men before. She has put up with enough. You failed to put her 1st. Let the dad have a chance to do better. At least then she will have the experience of both households and know which 1 makes her happier. Her behaviour might improve if her home life improves too

ReflectingPool · 12/06/2026 01:12

She does not like my partner as she feels he is strict on her, however he asks her to do what most 13 year olds do, tidy her room, help with chores etc

He's not her parent, you are. He shouldn't be telling her what to do. That's your job. It's not surprising she resents some johnny come lately giving her orders.

Pansykavalier · 12/06/2026 00:48

Bigglebiggle · 11/06/2026 13:19

That she is scared to live here, that my partner is constantly telling her off, that me and my partner are constantly arguing. We do have occasional arguments, however they are normally in regards to DDs behaviour and no more then any other couple

just listen to yourself!!
Are you seriously planning to force your daughter to come back?
Does your lover live with you? I hope not.
Cancel the wedding.
Anything else is madness!

viking11 · 12/06/2026 00:34

I get it, being a single parent is lonely and hard at times. A man showing an jnterest and promise of a new life is attractive. But your kids always must come first. Even if it feels unfair...ykur DD may have ligitimate reasons to dislike this man...or maybe she needs your focus at this difficult stage of her life. I made the decision not to pursue a relationship while my kids were teens (extreme probably!) ..i didnt regret it...in fact 10 years later i have not the time or interest!
Get to the bottom of her concerns, show her she is more important show her she is your priority and I bet you will see a change in her. Of you really want to keep the relationship, could you date? Stay at his home when she is with her dad? Judging by some of your comments he is already showing red flags.

Viviennemary · 12/06/2026 00:10

It's not surprising your D D is not pleased about being told what to do by your partner. He isn't her parent. Stop him interfering in this way and hopefully your DD will be happier.

FamBae · 12/06/2026 00:10

I would let her go, I suspect she gets less discipline at dad's; make sure you have the same access her dad currently has, ie weekends and holidays. It's easy to lighten up on day to day discipline when your child is packed off back to mums at the end of the weekend. I think her dad will clamp down once he has her full time and she'll soon realise the grass isn't necessarily greener. Let her know you love her, will miss her and you really dont want her to go but you respect her decision and that she will always have a home with you.

DaisyDooley · 12/06/2026 00:04

A procession of men through a revolving door leaving at least one more child behind?
No wonder she wants to live with her dad and his wife.

Why some women can’t be content just to be a mum is beyond me.
The constant need for a man must be exhausting for the poor kids who have to live with this.
Well done to your daughter’s dad who has stepped up to the mark.
It’s nice to read about one who has done absolutely the right thing by his daughter-and the courts support him.
I hope you can afford to pay him a reasonable ammount of child maintenance-13 year old girls are expensive!

PretendToBeToastWithMe · 11/06/2026 23:56

You need to rethink why she’s acting out. It’s likely nothing to do with you trying to understand her in her early years and everything to do with the way you’re prioritising a man over her well-being.

ClairDeLaLune · 11/06/2026 23:55

Poor girl, she probably feels like she doesn’t belong anywhere. You’ve ruined her home with your desperation to move a bloke in. Blended families rarely work. Put your daughter first and ditch the man.

Bridesmaidorexfriend · 11/06/2026 23:49

GaIadriel · 11/06/2026 21:37

So you don't think a stepfather/stepmother should ever be able to live in the same house as their spouse?

I dunno. It's not surprising to me that so many women stay with abusive men if the common view is that they should either just put up and shut up or alternatively be alone for the next 15 years and wait until they're 50 before finding a partner. It's a depressing outlook to me and would make me feel I'd forfeited my life.

I think if you’re going to have children you should be willing to do what’s right for them. I’ve already made the decision if me and my wife ever decide to break up, I wouldn’t move anyone in to my house. My wife thinks that’s mad, and while I can’t ever imagine breaking up it makes me even more sure that I wouldn’t because I want my house to be a sanctuary. I’m not anti stepparents. My friends step dad walked her down the aisle. But I also know way more people who had rubbish experiences with a step parent. My dad was an awful stepdad to my brothers, my brother has been a terrible stepdad dad to multiple children over the years.

So yeah, I wouldn’t ever take the risk of having a step parent for my child, especially if it was a man. The risk of abuse goes up having an unrelated male in the house. I think that’s the right choice. I don’t judge people living their lives and having blended families, but I think it’s rarely in the child’s best interest

Nanof8 · 11/06/2026 23:39

As your daughter only seems to have a problem with this man. Listen to her, there may be something she's scared to tell you.

PollyBell · 11/06/2026 23:39

She is not a possession

Laura95167 · 11/06/2026 23:27

At 13 courts will take DDs preference into account.

Id feel there wasnt a safe way for her to live with you. Either there are elements of truth in her accusations, in whichcase she isnt safe around him. And if you wont prioritise her over your rship she should be at her dads.

Or shes making it up because shes unhappy and that cry for attention needs support but also DP isnt safe in the home facing accusations.

You need to listen to your DD, she wants to be at her dads. You can have what you want most, but not what you want second too. If you want to marry DP you may have to accept her living with exP

BudgetBuster · 11/06/2026 23:24

GaIadriel · 11/06/2026 23:08

Is it not also possible she's just a bit of a stroppy teen who's got the hump from being asked to clean up after herself after many years of getting away with it? Some of these posts are really projecting.

Quite possibly... but her mother should be the one parenting, not her mothers latest boyfriend.

GaIadriel · 11/06/2026 23:08

Is it not also possible she's just a bit of a stroppy teen who's got the hump from being asked to clean up after herself after many years of getting away with it? Some of these posts are really projecting.