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DS 's lovely little pal and miserable DP

236 replies

Deathfingers · 02/06/2024 08:01

DS 12 has a lovely little bestie. They have been best friends for around 4 years and hang around a bit either here, in his house or the local park, hes here maybe 2-3 times a week max.

Now they're older they stay out later, so either here, at his or out til about 7pm. If they come here it's usually til around 6pmish then they go out for an hour.

DP and I both work FT. He gets in around 6pm some days.

A few times in the past I'd get a message saying he'll "pre warn" me when he's on his way so I can shoo DS friend home because he's "been working and won't come home to DS pal here" Each time I usually reply with a breezy "don't worry they are both in his bedroom hanging out" and that used to end the madness, but lately his messages are getting more demanding and argumentative. Apparently its not normal for kids to be at each others houses all the time - its 3 times a week at most for a couple of hours? He's also started hinting that I'm acting strange by wanting his friend here all the time (I dont? It's for DS!)

I get it, I like my peace, and his pal is very comfortable here 😬 he'll just wander in to the kitchen and grab an apple or drink without asking but meh, I secretly think it's pretty cool that he's so comfortable here and there's no issues re: the extra food he eats, it's not a lot and he is very polite. But DP says he doesnt want him even if they are upstairs bothering no one.

DC aren't allowed sleepovers etc because DP doesn't like it, he also doesn't like them playing in the garden, so I feel if I let him stop letting them have pals around to chill they won't have much left they can do!

Who's the odd one here? I think it's totally normal for pals to go to each others houses while parents are in, he thinks this isnt usual, I'm the weird one, and the kid should leave at 5pm before he comes home.

If its not me who's being strange how do I handle this? I'm so tempted to just reply with "no" and not engage next time I receive my pre warning message.

OP posts:
Scarletttulips · 02/06/2024 08:03

It’s their home too!!

AnnaMagnani · 02/06/2024 08:04

Your DP is weird and controlling.

Hanging out with friends, playing in the garden and having sleepovers is all a normal part of childhood.

Mirandasbiggestfan · 02/06/2024 08:06

Your DP sounds very controlling OP. Why aren’t the DC allowed in the garden? You def aren’t the odd one here. I would be tempted not to engage with DP when he says the friend needs to go. It seems very unfair.

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Smartiepants79 · 02/06/2024 08:06

Your dp is miserable, controlling and weird.
And getting worse it seems?
He is actually being quite unkind to his own children.
This behaviour would really upset me.

Jifmicroliquid · 02/06/2024 08:09

I practically lived at my friends house- 7 days a week. I only went home to sleep during the week! They made me feel like I was essentially a second daughter (friend was only child).
Her family are basically my family now too. I still let myself in to their house unannounced, 40 years later 😂

It’s sad that your partner can’t welcome this child in to the family. Having a friend like that when you are a child is magical.

Hairyfairy01 · 02/06/2024 08:09

He's being very odd, like others have said, it's your ds's home too! Why can't he play in the garden or have sleepovers? Is he ds's biological dad?

pictoosh · 02/06/2024 08:10

I think he's being selfish and controlling.

User364837 · 02/06/2024 08:10

is DP your DS’s dad?

pictoosh · 02/06/2024 08:11

Is he your son's father?

MissyB1 · 02/06/2024 08:11

Are you sure it's just 3 times a week? Does that include weekends? I would struggle if there was another kid in my house most days, especially when I get home from work and I'm tired.

Crumpetsssss · 02/06/2024 08:11

DP is being weird.

why can’t they play in the garden?!

Bestyearever2024 · 02/06/2024 08:12

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PricklyPearNoThornsPlease · 02/06/2024 08:12

User364837 · 02/06/2024 08:10

is DP your DS’s dad?

I was going to ask that.

Regsrdless, your DP is the weird one here.

Singleandproud · 02/06/2024 08:13

He is the weird one. Although there are plenty of people who don't like others in their home. It's the children's home too and they should be able to invite guests around. Are you allowed friends and family around?

Is he the same on non-work days? Maybe more structure would help so friends can come around on X, X and X day.
Maybe a teen den in the garden with a garden shed kitted out with lights and bean bags and whatever but I suspect that won't be good enough either.

Bestyearever2024 · 02/06/2024 08:14

Actually - sorry, not DH, DP

As PPs have said - is DP the bio Dad?

Is it your home or jointly owned?

WonderingWanda · 02/06/2024 08:14

Get rid of the dp and invite your friends over too.

Amx · 02/06/2024 08:15

He's strange.

TheSandgroper · 02/06/2024 08:15

You have a dickhead for a dp. Support your son.

Grimchmas · 02/06/2024 08:15

Nothing about your partner's behaviour is normal. It's sinister to not allow a child to be able to play on their own back garden and in context objecting to sleep overs and expecting DS's friend to be tidied away by the time he gets home are both controlling too.

He doesn't see DS as a human living an age appropriate life in his own home and that is frankly chilling.

Catandsquirrel · 02/06/2024 08:16

Why can't they play in the garden? That's a lot.

I think your approach is good. Ignore or refuse to comply.

It's nice having a welcoming house. If he wants otherwise, he can handle it (in the right way) not just bark orders. What does he mean by hinting you're acting strange? I wouldn't accept hinting. If he's going through work stress or something he can explain himself, not just control everyone else. It's lovely that DS has such a close pal

Rattai · 02/06/2024 08:16

I might be completely wrong here... bit does he think they are gay? Is he worried they are more than friends ? Seems weird if he didn't even like him being there out of sight in the bedroom etc

Nomorecoconutboosts · 02/06/2024 08:17

Many of us would prefer peace and quiet after work, however once we choose to have children or even live with other people, this changes. We then share our lives and our space/homes with others.
ds has (imo) as much right as everyone else in the house to invite friends over. Would be different if he was having wild daily parties!

What’s the issue with dp - what’s driving this need for control? Just that he is man of the house? Is there a health issue e.g. does he need to rush to the toilet or want a shower or a sleep when he comes back for example? These are his issues to resolve if so.

Incakewetrust · 02/06/2024 08:17

Your dp is a prick.

Deathfingers · 02/06/2024 08:18

He's the bio Dad.

Def max 3 times a week inc. weekends, it's not often at all and they are out of the way when he gets home.

Doesn't like the noise in the garden and the coming in/out he also has the occasional cig (which I don't mind, it's literally 1-2 after work) and he doesn't want DS to catch him 🙄 tbf they wouldn't go in the garden much anyway it was just another example of DP being a title.

He is getting worse. Glad it's not me being weird he can be very convincing sometimes. I usually pickmy Battles but when it involves the DC I'll happily to toe to toe if I have to. I do think a simple "no" next time I get pre-warned is the way to go.

OP posts:
CandiedPrincess · 02/06/2024 08:18

Got to be honest, I don't want other people's kids in my house when I've been working all day either. Once a week, maybe. 2-3 times a week not a chance.