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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Should I report this mum? Is it even reportable?

159 replies

Moonstars1 · 05/08/2026 16:53

I'm seriously concerned about my partner's family member. Well, more so for her kids. She is a young adult. She has a toddler and a baby with different dads. Both toxic and abusive men and she knew about at least one of them when she got with him as he has a criminal record. She is also toxic and my partner believes they were both mutually abusive relationships. She broke up with baby's dad when she was pregnant.

She now has a new boyfriend already. She's posting him on social media and making comments that shows he's staying (living?) round hers with the kids. She keeps basically moving strangers into her home and allowing them to play dad. What if this one, or the next one, is a pedophile or violent to children?

I don't know what I should do. My partner knows it's a mess and he doesn't agree with her desicions at all. He doesn't have much positive to say about her. But he isn't really getting involved and I don't think he's going to do anything. Same with her parents. I get it's difficult. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if something happened to one of the little ones.

Do I report somewhere anonymously? Do I stay out of it? That really doesn't seem like the right thing to do. I'd rather not go behind my partner's back and do it, but at the same time I don't know how to have that conversation with him. That's if there's even anything I can report.

OP posts:
goggly20 · 05/08/2026 21:11

OneMoreCoconut · 05/08/2026 20:11

Some of these replies! Christ! You don’t have to wait for a criminal act to be committed before you report to SS!!
The OP has very legitimate safeguarding concerns about these children and it’s a well known fact that new men being moved in to the home with young children is a HUGE red flag.
OP I work with children and you are absolutely right to be worried.
Safeguarding is everyone’s business and if you’re worried then please report to the local SS. They will also be privy to information you may not be and this may be a piece of puzzle of a much bigger and even more concerning picture.

It can be when there is a feckless mother and a dodgy man involved. But do you really think SS can investigate every single instance of a new man moving into a household with children? What are the ‘legitimate’ concerns?

Bananacrepewithnuts · 05/08/2026 20:53

ScarlettSarah · 05/08/2026 17:16

Has anyone got enough detail to do a Sarah's law request? I would consider that if you had specific concerns around the new boyfriend.

Encourage the mum to do a Claire's law on the latest partner.

Other than that there isn't a lot you can do.

As others have said it isn't a crime to have a partner or be crap at choosing partners

If the older one goes to school you could make the school aware of your concerns just so they can be on their radar (if they aren't already).

All the best.
X

0Thatsplenty0 · 05/08/2026 20:25

EmpressStorm · 05/08/2026 18:17

Are you quite ok? Life isn’t the movie minority report. You can’t report people for crimes that may happen in the future or as you’re judgey and don’t agree with someone’s life choices.

like seriously, are you ok?

What a strange reply to a general query. Are you always this dramatic?

x2boys · 05/08/2026 20:16

She doesnt sound like she making good choices
But if the children are cared for what would
Nothing would be done

OneMoreCoconut · 05/08/2026 20:11

Some of these replies! Christ! You don’t have to wait for a criminal act to be committed before you report to SS!!
The OP has very legitimate safeguarding concerns about these children and it’s a well known fact that new men being moved in to the home with young children is a HUGE red flag.
OP I work with children and you are absolutely right to be worried.
Safeguarding is everyone’s business and if you’re worried then please report to the local SS. They will also be privy to information you may not be and this may be a piece of puzzle of a much bigger and even more concerning picture.

ApplePieCinamon · 05/08/2026 19:54

Moonstars1 · 05/08/2026 17:03

No proof they are being harmed. It's common sense they will be mentally harmed to some extent. The toddler has barely been alive and already known 3 men living with them. And the chances of them being physically harmed by one of these "dads" is pretty high considering the quality of people they are.

You should. Women can be just as bad as men if not worse - they are the ones who bring monsters into their kids lives. 3 men already and the child is a toddler- she’d definitely on that track.

CaptainMyCaptain · 05/08/2026 19:52

Whatdidyoujustcallme · 05/08/2026 19:49

Just to be clear - fine, upstanding pillar of the community men with money are just as capable of being predators or abusers or violent or substance addicted. Yes, a merry go round of boyfriends and getting pregnant nilly willy is rubbish, but that alone doesn’t make it reportable. Also, don’t call the police unless you know a crime has been committed.

Also people you've known several years and you know all their friends.

Whatdidyoujustcallme · 05/08/2026 19:49

Just to be clear - fine, upstanding pillar of the community men with money are just as capable of being predators or abusers or violent or substance addicted. Yes, a merry go round of boyfriends and getting pregnant nilly willy is rubbish, but that alone doesn’t make it reportable. Also, don’t call the police unless you know a crime has been committed.

Dollymylove · 05/08/2026 19:27

Moonstars1 · 05/08/2026 17:19

She gets pregnant with each boyfriend straight away. And I mean straight away. It's not a relationship gone wrong situation at all. It's having a baby with a practical stranger, ending it and then repeating the cycle.

Having children with different men is not against the law. Are the children healthy and clean? Well fed? Is the house clean and tidy?
Do you have reasonable suspicions that the children are being abused?
What would you be reporting? That she cant keep her legs shut?

ruethewhirl · 05/08/2026 19:26

Goditsmemargaret · 05/08/2026 16:57

This is clearly sarcasm but why???

I'm hoping I'm wrong, but I didn't read that post as being sarcastic...

Moveoverdarlin · 05/08/2026 19:24

Moonstars1 · 05/08/2026 17:19

She gets pregnant with each boyfriend straight away. And I mean straight away. It's not a relationship gone wrong situation at all. It's having a baby with a practical stranger, ending it and then repeating the cycle.

And that’s awful. But open your eyes. There are tens of millions of women in this situation. You can’t report her for being a bit of a slapper with a penchant for scumbag men.

SodThisHeadache · 05/08/2026 19:20

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Cluelessfirstimer · 05/08/2026 19:19

Sounds awful but report her for what? Having men round her house? Getting pregnant by different men?

You could speak to social services but if you have no proof that the children are in danger then I dont really know what they can do? Maybe do a welfare visit? But again without any proof ...

Anarchy99 · 05/08/2026 19:18

Sounds like Katie Price and
nobody seems bothered about her shit show of a life

chocoluv · 05/08/2026 19:17

CliantheLang · 05/08/2026 18:46

Sure OP, just ignore it.

Because this never happens and no mother can possibly be expected to have a life without pimping her kids to attract random cock.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-65912730

The most shocking thing about this case was how many neighbours reported their concerns and the poor boy was still allowed to live there and ultimately be killed.

This is why I think report, report, report as the more reports they get, the more they’re (hopefully) likely to do something.

CatLandOffTheA3 · 05/08/2026 19:08

Moonstars1 · 05/08/2026 17:38

And then we hear in the news about these babies getting hurt by mum's new boyfriend and everyone is shocked and appalled. I guess they don't believe that some of these cases could be prevented.

They could be prevented but there are no grounds to intervene until there are grounds.

SS can't just waltz in and take people's kids under these circumstances. That would be utter madness. They are barely able to deal with stuff that is frankly illegal let alone the ones that are being frowned up only.

RantyMcGee · 05/08/2026 19:05

You could do a Clare’s law disclosure. She would then be contacted by police if there is anything to share about this new man’s past. They would also then alert social care if necessary.

Sweetdreamsbeautifulnightmare · 05/08/2026 19:02

There’s nothing to report for.. she’s clearly a wrongen!

Hankunamatata · 05/08/2026 19:01

You can phone nspcc and get some advice.

Busybeemumm · 05/08/2026 18:59

It won't even touch the desk of a social worker in or the police. You are right to be worried but there is nothing that can be done. Maybe suggest to her that she does The Freedom Program.

Thatsalineallright · 05/08/2026 18:59

CaptainMyCaptain · 05/08/2026 17:33

You think no child was ever abused by their traditional married parents in the past?

Edited

Unrelated males in the home are statistically a much bigger threat than blood relatives.

Snailssitonwhales · 05/08/2026 18:57

If you can do it submit a Claire's law and Sarah's law request, that way if there is anything she will be told, and if it is something serious like child abuse etc it may also get passed on to social services that way.

Hoardasurass · 05/08/2026 18:55

Moonstars1 · 05/08/2026 17:03

No proof they are being harmed. It's common sense they will be mentally harmed to some extent. The toddler has barely been alive and already known 3 men living with them. And the chances of them being physically harmed by one of these "dads" is pretty high considering the quality of people they are.

Whilst all of that is true its irrelevant.
Social services wont care as having multiple partners over a couple of years isn't considered a risk unless you have evidence that the current 1 is abusing her or the kids.
The police wont care as its not a crime.

So do nothing but keep an eye out for any abuse

Gooseling · 05/08/2026 18:51

Moonstars1 · 05/08/2026 17:29

This is how kids get molested or otherwise hurt by mum's new boyfriend. She doesn't know these men from Adam. She knew one of the men had a record before she got pregnant by him. I have sympathy for her due to her upbringing and she's young. But imagine nobody was ever "judgemental" 🙄

I agree with your view OP.

People only have the read the recent court case of Isabelle Rose Welsh. A 2 year old girl who was raped and murdered by her mums new boyfriend of 2 months.

Whilst I agree that this woman having a new man around her very young children is really irresponsible and selfish, unfortunately it’s not illegal and you can’t really report her to authorities. Unless you have concerns that her or the children are being subject to abuse.

Aknifewith16blades · 05/08/2026 18:50

OP, you could do a Clare's Law and Sarah's Law request for each partner (police will warn about a history of DV and of child abuse respectively).

It sounds like this is bringing a lot up for you, understandably. Therapy can help a lot.