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XDH and contact with his children

10 replies

Biblionerd · 30/05/2020 18:21

Trying to gauge opinion, and get advice on what to do next. Basically, ex has seen the children (DD 7, DS 10) for 1 hour in the last 10 weeks. I have done absolutely all of everything for the children. He has given them a phone so they can facetime him, and he usually answers and has a brief chat before bed.

He has not once asked to see the kids at a social distance. He has not once checked if he can come into the garden again (he did this for an hour on DDs birthday). He has not brought anything to help me entertain the children in lockdown, nothing. He has basically washed his hands of the situation because I'm dealing with it. He has told DS it is like this because he works nights (he works 4 nights a week in a supermarket) and therefore there is nothing he can do about it. I feel like not seeing them for 9/10 weeks is totally unacceptable, I feel like not seeking out ANY opportunity to see them is a bloody disgrace. He basically facetimes for 5 mins or so most days and that is that. They can't go to his house because he lives with his very old mother, who is in dodgy health.

I am starting to feel incredibly resentful of the situation which leaves me with this problem. I'm going to have to actually ask him to make time to visit the children and start building this relationship again. The only reason I will be doing this is so I can have a break, go for a walk/run without a chils, but why should I?? There is a very stubborn and selfish part of me who wants the kids to see he isn't doing anything, that I am the parent they can rely on. His job prevented him from seeing the children before lockdown, he appears not to have done anything to change the job or hours to improve this in any way, and he has made zero effort to see them at all since lockdown started. What would you do?? Swallow your pride and actually ask him to stand up for his children, or keep going as I am and see if at any point he thinks more about them than shelf stacking.

Sorry it is long, trying not to drip feed, will attempt to answer Qs.

OP posts:
Biblionerd · 30/05/2020 18:23

And this definitely had paragraphs when I wrote it! Confused

OP posts:
picklemewalnuts · 30/05/2020 18:27

It has paragraphs for me!

Actually I think daily FaceTiming is pretty good in terms of keeping their relationship alive.
Obviously he isn't pulling his weight though. If you can work out what you want him to do that would help you, like him coming to the garden for a couple of hours three times a week...

This isn't normal times, and it's hard to know how best to proceed.

slipperywhensparticus · 30/05/2020 18:29

My ex did the same actually less than that because I had a text every ten days or so moving on to 16 days no contact

Because children's services are back speaking to them about visitation with her children they naturally asked him if he saw his he has now panicked and asked to see them for two hours a week he even had the cheek to tell me he had spoken to them saying he has not been "allowed" to see them 🤣 I've never stopped him

I hope one day the kids look back and see who was there who looked after them

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Kardashianasssss · 30/05/2020 18:33

It sounds hard for you OP, I really do sympathise.
I think you need to ask him to step up. If there’s no change even after he’s been asked then that tells you everything you need to know.
Ultimately though, the kids are little and they always have to come first no matter what you think of their father. At their age it’s important that they’re not aware of the issues between their parents (even if you are right) because it will really affect them.

Biblionerd · 30/05/2020 18:34

Pickle thank you, yes I suppose the daily facetime is good, also the very least he could be doing. I am wondering if my resentment (and pride/stubborness) is getting in the way of me rationally finding a way to tell him he needs to step up.

Spartacus it is so hard when their version of parenting doesn't match up to expectations!

OP posts:
Biblionerd · 30/05/2020 18:37

Kardashian you are right, I have not told the kids how I feel but it is so hard, especially when they're having a tough day and taking it out on me. I need to find a way to tell him what they (and I) need then see if he manages to do something.

OP posts:
Biblionerd · 30/05/2020 18:46

And of course I get that you're all correct and perfectly reasonable, however, I have just tried to compose a message to him to tell him, and I'm just bloody furious again. Why the fuck should I have to her him to see his own children? Why the fuck isn't he fighting for every second of contact time? Why does he think it is reasonable to leave it all to me? Why does working 4 nights a week mean he can't come for a garden breakfast before he goes home?

I'm a very angry nerd, I need to get over it don't I?

OP posts:
TheOrigBrave · 30/05/2020 18:47

Me to ex via email: ds would like to see you soon.
Ex to me: I'll check my rota

Me in my head : you knob - for 10 weeks I have worked full time from home with both DS21 and DS11. The older one doesn't want to be here at all, the younger one I am meant to occupy/educate.
Run the house, care for FIL.

I don't get to check my rota. I've barely had a chance to check the length of my toe nails.

Kardashianasssss · 30/05/2020 18:47

When your kids grow up and are in their teens/20s they’ll look back and be able to see the bigger picture; that you were there for them in good times and bad. They’ll value that more than someone who was a fair-weather parent

Biblionerd · 30/05/2020 18:57

TheOrigBrave are you me? Have finished my term at uni (masters) 2 small kids to school, entertain, look after emotional and physical health and generally cheerlead through this. Older DS, hearing/visually impaired and autistic, but no pal, you work 4 nights a week stacking shelves, we're fine Angry

Kardashian I really hope so!!

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