Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Help me rise above Ex h jibes over child maintenance

100 replies

Wilburgh · 24/07/2020 14:49

I’m not having the greatest time at the moment. Tough pregnancy, elderly and difficult relative with cancer. I’m not in the best of moods.

Ds turns 18 in September. He had one more year of college to go but found last year tough. He was pushed into a course he didn’t want to do but there wasn’t much else choice wise, he was miserable.

He’s decided to work for a year or two. Luckily the company that Dh works for had some data entry positions, Ds applied and got one. So now he’ll have some breathing space to figure out what he wants to do, Maybe return to education next year. It’s thinking time anyway.

He told his dad, my ex h. We split when Ds was 6, he’s hated me ever since. Uses every opportunity to be snarky and to try and get one over on me. I’m usually very good at giving no reaction.

He does pay maintenance but it’s nothing like what he should be paying given his wage - he tells me tales of woe but he’s very high up in a large company, always has been since we were together and a quick google tells you his job title, so I don’t know why he feels the need to lie (aside from money) But you know what, he’s made my life miserable enough over the years that I’ve let it Go.

Received this text this morning “seeing a Ds has decided to forgo his education the money I paid you last week will be the last payment you will get as he’s no longer in full time education. Good luck supporting your own child from now on”

For fucks sake. He’s been such a twat over the years.

I’m not replying.

I would like to reply with “oh, shut up you cunt” but I won’t.

OP posts:
Wilburgh · 24/07/2020 16:15

@Authenticcelestialmusic

If he is money orientated, likes nice expensive items And you still know some of the same people etc I’d be tempted to say something along the lines of ‘its been pointed out recently that you really are struggling financially at the moment, I was going to text and tell you to stop paying the maintenance as we really don’t need it’.
Haha! That would mortally wound his ego!
OP posts:
toomanyplants · 24/07/2020 16:18

I had a similar situation
Responded with "to be honest, I wouldn't have noticed if you'd not told me"
But to this day I wish I'd just kept a dignified silence. It speaks so much more than words do.

FloggingMoll · 24/07/2020 16:24

@Authenticcelestialmusic

If he is money orientated, likes nice expensive items And you still know some of the same people etc I’d be tempted to say something along the lines of ‘its been pointed out recently that you really are struggling financially at the moment, I was going to text and tell you to stop paying the maintenance as we really don’t need it’.
Oh my God, this is amazing. I LOVE it.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Authenticcelestialmusic · 24/07/2020 16:26

You could even add (Assuming he is married) ‘ I hope you and your wife are okay’

Tlollj · 24/07/2020 16:30

I’d tell him to shut up and call him a cunt personally.
One of the main reasons I haven’t got my ex’s number is because I’d text him and call him a cunt every day.

EatsShootsAndRuns · 24/07/2020 16:40

Don't give him the satisfaction of any reply.
Hopefully it'll drive him bonkers wondering why he's not got to you this time. Ignore him.

Northernsoullover · 24/07/2020 16:42

Ah, you see I wouldn't be able to remain silent. Some good suggestions above and I'd maybe put something like, well we didn't really need it anyway. Now fuck off you cunt (amalgamation of some of the previous posts) I bet that would irk him far more than radio silence. Only you know his personality well enough to know if its safe to send something snippy but this is your absolute one and only chance to get it off your chest. Obviously I'd block the fucker immediately after too!

curiouslypacific · 24/07/2020 16:59

Ahah I'd be so tempted to wind him up in a totally cheery passive agressive way.

"I'm so sorry to hear about your money problems. Not to worry, my finances are in fine fettle so your son will be fine. Now he is of age, I think we can both agree that further communication is not required. Cheerio"

Blocking is probably more sensible though. Depends just how much you want to wind the fucker up.

frustrationcentral · 24/07/2020 17:31

Ugh some Ex's are total dicks. My ex being one of them, pays when he fancies and even then it's a drop in the ocean compared to how much it costs to bring up a 16 year old boy. He behaves like he's doing me a favour and isn't he wonderful? No he really isn't. He even had the audacity to tell me we co parent recently HmmGrin. Flipping cheek

Well done if you manage to bite your tongue OP, I'd really struggle!

Wilburgh · 24/07/2020 19:00

I’m not going to send a response.

He’s such an arse I can’t even explain. Always twisting words. Always thinks he knows best on everything. He’s always thought I’m very stupid and that hasn’t changed over the years.

OP posts:
Wilburgh · 24/07/2020 19:01

His superiority complex is astounding.

OP posts:
WinnieLowCo · 24/07/2020 19:09

My x the same,! 14 years of it.

One day about 2 years ago i said "omg, just do what you think is right!"

He liked me to spend the whole month nervous he wouldnt put the money in.

I know im lucky now that i can snap at him and make it clear im not dancing to his tune, but weirdly, after a 3 month protest in which i COMPLETELY RESISISTED the urge to even comment on it, he started paying again. I didnt comment on that either. Fuckwits eh!?

cptartapp · 24/07/2020 19:13

Just give him the thumbs up emoji. Every time.

Wilburgh · 24/07/2020 19:14

He liked me to spend the whole month nervous he wouldnt put the money in

This is exactly what ex h does too. Well, did now.

I’d even get a text sometimes saying “I’ve transferred your money now. Bet you were shitting yourself”. Angry

OP posts:
Wilburgh · 24/07/2020 19:17

Or the time when Ds was younger and he had him for two weeks of the summer holidays (that’s the longest he’s had him in one go) where the next month he only paid half as I hadn’t had him here for two weeks the previous month.

All of that, I let it go.
Every. single. Time.

I’m either a mug or have the patience of a saint.

OP posts:
backaftera2yearbreak · 24/07/2020 19:18

Message him back saying thanks, it’s all been going into an account for Ds he will get it when he’s older. Thanks for the contributions!

mbosnz · 24/07/2020 19:19

How about 'Oh thank God, we're free, free at last. . .'?

FrancoBranco · 24/07/2020 20:24

I’d even get a text sometimes saying “I’ve transferred your money now. Bet you were shitting yourself”

Shock Dick. Head.

I'd be tempted to reply either 👍 as suggested by a previous poster, or 😂 .

Are you going to block him? You don't need to communicate with him now, and he's never going to bring any joy to your life, only hassle. Cut off his access! Wonder how long it'll take him to notice...

Wilburgh · 24/07/2020 20:39

I’d bloody love to block him.

But we communicate over when Ds will go to see him. Ds is shite at communicating with him. He’s about four hours away do we meet in the middle - Dh drives Ds as trains would take about 8 hours. He only stays a sat night once every couple of months so it wouldn’t be worth it to get the train for one night and it’s way more expensive than petrol.

I try to keep it civil on my side at least for Ds sake. I’ve seen people in similar situations over the years go through so much heartache when they get married etc. I’d hate for that to be Ds one day.

He fills Ds head with so much crap about me though. He and his family are vicious about me in front of Ds - even when he was small. So it’s has been difficult for me not to react.

He still talks like Ds is a small child though - asks me why he’s said he had takeaways on the way home from college Confused and things like that. Blames me that Ds isn’t academic as I’m the thick one and I’ve obviously brought him up terribly. I’m the worst mother in the world according to him.

I just want Ds to be able to look back as an adult and see that I didn’t do anything back.

OP posts:
Wilburgh · 24/07/2020 20:42

Luckily I was far more sensible this time when I chose to marry my Dh. He’s not a massive bell end, thank god, and a great step parent to Ds.

OP posts:
BereftOfInk · 24/07/2020 21:07

Ds is shite at communicating with him.
He's 17, if he wanted to, he would.

He fills Ds head with so much crap about me though. He and his family are vicious about me in front of Ds
Maybe this is why he's not interested in communicating with his dad.

Obviously I don't know your son, but as someone from the outside, I'd seriously consider showing DS the message (and screenshot/keep a copy of it) and asking him if he wants you to reply/ignore/block.

RandomMess · 24/07/2020 21:25

I would be honest with DS and tell him that ex no longer considers him a child so communication over contact is between the two of them from now on.

Honestly your DS isn't bothered so just leave the relationship to fizzle out. Perhaps ex will step up, after all no maintenance no meeting half way at your own cost anymore...

CaffeineInfusion · 24/07/2020 21:46

Block his number. You wouldn't talk t o a turd on the pavement. Why talk to him? 🙄

And your son is nearly 18. He can make his own arrangements to see his dad. Or anyone else. Let him grow into himself. He will thank you for it later.

Pleasebeaflesbite · 24/07/2020 21:56

@Wilburgh

Sorry Ds will be working for my Dh company - not his dads.

And yes, fair enough now he’s not in full time education. It’s just the “good luck with supporting your own child” that gets me.

I don’t think you need to say anything - the text from your ex is discomfiture at the fact that your DS is working at your DH‘s company, pushing his nose out of joint.

If you wanted to rub it in I would say “yes, DS is looking forward to earning his own money and DH is really looking forward to working with him and supporting him with this.” With an “it’s a proper family effort” just to put the boot in.

Honestly, you don’t need to say anything else. I guarantee you 100% your ex is fucked off already

carly2803 · 24/07/2020 22:08

@Fandajji

Thank god for that. This message is 12 years overdue - oh do fuck off you complete cunt. Love Wilburgh x

And then I'd block him.

i would absolutely send this! ^^

and then once read, block!

Swipe left for the next trending thread