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Not wanting a relationship with dads partner?

20 replies

Wellyseasonallyear · 27/07/2024 01:29

My dad has been with his partner for 3 years. He didn’t want to settle down again after divorcing my mum so he and his partner kept it more friendly than love. I didn’t take them serious for that reason as my dad was adamant she wasn’t his girlfriend and he didn’t want a future with her as he was enjoying his new freedom as a single man.
Whenever I’d invite my dad to visit he would bring the ‘not my girlfriend’ and she’d often bring 4 out of her 8 children without prior asking. I never planned for that and couldn’t feed them on occasion. They began turning up without an invite so I began making excuses unless my dad was coming alone. As an introvert with anxiety they overwhelm me and I can’t cope with the behaviour of the child/teens

Roll on to now and they’ve become serious, I’m happy for them and whatever their plans are. However his partner is now being forced on me as ‘step mum’ and that I need to spend time with her and build a bond. I’m 40 not 12!
I don’t have anything against her but I’m not interested in building a bond with someone my dad has just become serious with after having several teenage type fights in the past few months. I’m an adult with children and a ft job, my dads love life isn’t my priority. We have nothing in common at all.
I know it probably sounds evil and rude of me but I’m just not comfortable having them all in my house, they have no manners and it just feels awkward. My dad then pays more attention to her children than his grandchildren which then upsets them.
I’m considering not inviting him to any future events as I don’t want him to bring them all, for example my daughters upcoming birthday party and a barbecue with in laws. I feel guilty leaving my dad out but he won’t come without her and I don’t want to ruin my relationship with my dad by letting it ruin an event.
What would you do?

OP posts:
Wellyseasonallyear · 27/07/2024 17:21

Bump

OP posts:
BlackShuck3 · 27/07/2024 17:34

You dont sound evil or rude to me, they do sound very rude!
I wouldn't be inviting them (after they turned up without invites) and if they turned up again I'd pretend I was out.

Hadalifeonce · 27/07/2024 17:40

Celebrate without them.
If your dad can't see that bringing several hangers on who were not invited, is not on, I am afraid I would regularly offer no invitations.

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BlackShuck3 · 27/07/2024 17:44

I think your dad is hoping that you will deal with the hangers on so that he can be alone with his new squeeze.
I suspect that was factored in when he decided to make things serious. He waited for a while to see if you could be manoeuvred into doing what he wanted. When he saw how rude & pushy the 8 were he knew that you'd not be able to stand up to them and he'd be able to push them all onto you.

Cuppateatea · 27/07/2024 17:46

I don’t blame you. 8 extra kids and 2 adults is a lot of extra mouths to feed!
You sound like you love your Dad as you say you want him to be happy. You’re also right to say he’s not your priority as you have your own children, life, job etc. Also your Dad sounds like he cares for you as he wants you involved in his life.
Perhaps you could pop round to see him at his/their place every now and then just to keep in touch. But you absolutely don’t need to entertain them.

Strawberriesandpimms · 27/07/2024 18:13

She has 8 children - even if its only half that turn up that's a lot to accommodate at a gathering without notice. What's the age range of the DC? Is he being suckered into paying for her entire household or are the DCs fathers involved?

Just sounds messy and your DF might be be vulnerable? Id keep a wary eye on them.

Cherrysoup · 27/07/2024 19:44

Just stop inviting him, it’s a hard lesson for him, but he needs to understand that she is simply not welcome, nor are any of her 8 kids!

tennesseewhiskey1 · 27/07/2024 19:56

just stop inviting them.

StormingNorman · 27/07/2024 20:11

You can happy for your dad without being pushed into a relationship with his girlfriend and her kids. To keep your dad close, I would expressly issue an invitation to him and the girlfriend but say you cannot cope with the children and they are not invited.

Your dad is trying to play happy families and you’re not ready for that yet.

Mix56 · 28/07/2024 09:32

I'd tell him what you've told us.
I think it's completely fair, you dont mind seeing her occasionally, you want him to be happy, but if he comes over with her & her hoard then it changes the dynamic. Your DC are losing their Grandpa & you are not a canteen.
So dont "just all show up" because its going to be a problem

suburberphobe · 28/03/2025 15:44

8 kids?!

Can't imagine how she even finds time for a relationship.

Hoppinggreen · 28/03/2025 15:50

suburberphobe · 28/03/2025 15:44

8 kids?!

Can't imagine how she even finds time for a relationship.

well clearly she did at one point

unclejoesmintballz · 28/03/2025 16:02

Hoppinggreen · 28/03/2025 15:50

well clearly she did at one point

To quote the fabulous Mr Manilow: It only takes a minute. Well, 2 or 3 if you're lucky 😁

Ilovelurchers · 28/03/2025 16:03

Actually I don't think it's as straight forward as other posters seem to.

When I had a partner with adult children, a couple of them intentionally excluded me from family events and it was hurtful/made me feel bad, and in fact their attitude towards me, and his refusal to hear me voice my distress over it, was one of the many contributory factors in our break up.

Having said that, eight children is a lot, especially eight poorly behaved ones (I only had one, and she was pretty angelic, even the sons who excluded us admitted she was a great kid - it was me their problem was with, or more, just the concept of their dad having a partner of any seriousness, i think.

Is there a path of compromise? For example, how old are her kids/what childcare does she have? Could you invite her to an adult only drinks night or dinner for example? I don't mean too often - just make the effort with her a few times a year. Or, I don't know, let her join the family WhatsApp or something?

You aren't obliged to do any of this, but it would be a kindness, both to her and to your father.

Also, the less you see of her, you do have to accept that this may lead to less of a relationship with your dad, for you and for your kids, his grandkids. This is something to consider too......

In the end families are complex, and nobody reading the bare bones of the story can tell exactly how justified you are or how you should ask. I would just caution that in general posters on Mumsnet are very hot on boundaries and protecting oneself and ones time, and on what you are or are not obliged to do - but don't always consider what it might be KIND to do. And kindness often involves compromise and even a little bit of self-sacrifice, in my honest experience.....

SepticCess · 28/03/2025 18:17

I couldn't cope with that situation either. They seem to be expecting an awful lot of you and the bonding? Ooofe, no thanks.

Go a bit quieter for a while and if he asks, tell him you find it all a bit overwhelming and ask him if he is quite sure what he is doing. She sounds like she has worn him down. Is he vulnerable in the slightest?

ThisIsMyYearToFindMyself · 28/03/2025 18:21

I don’t want to ruin my relationship with my dad

Erm, I don’t think you are the one ruining this relationship!

Secondguess · 28/03/2025 18:23

Is your dad's girlfriend a lot younger than him? It sounds like some of her children are similar ages to his grandchildren. If he wants a fun and easy relationship , this doesn't sound like it!
Seriously though, if there's n also an age gap and you're watching him do things for his girlfriend's children that he didn't do for his own children or grandchildren, that's going to hurt.

Yougetmoreofwhatyoufocuson · 28/03/2025 18:34

My ex is just plain lazy. He would ever put himself out to see his own children without his wife. None of his children liked his wife who is only happy when the spotlight is on her and can be quite spiteful.
Over the years his relationship with his adult children is distant because he won’t put in any effort ever. He’s nice enough when something has been organised but won’t put himself out to just meet one of them for a coffee. Sad really.
I suspect op’s father is similar. Sex and companionship before kids.

FatLarrysBanned · 28/03/2025 18:40

How do these threads get resurrected? 🙄

ThisIsMyYearToFindMyself · 28/03/2025 18:58

FatLarrysBanned · 28/03/2025 18:40

How do these threads get resurrected? 🙄

There is a section under most threads, ‘similar threads’ which can be old ones. I spent a long time with that turned off, and only recently turned it back on again, and got caught out along with a few others today!

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