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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

... to think that because I can't see a new IPOAT thread I should start one myself?

1011 replies

PrincessFiorimonde · 17/05/2011 20:36

Especially as I want to wish CheerfulYank a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY for today. Hope you are having a lovely day.

And here is the patron saint of IPOAT playing Happy Birthday To CY!

OP posts:
PrincessFiorimonde · 30/06/2011 10:14

Mimi, how lovely to see you posting again, but really sorry to hear of your travails with the Chatsworth and with XP. Fiderer, what a bummer for you too! Hope things resolve themselves (speedily) for the two of you.

Honeydragon, sorry to hear about your dad; hope he continues to improve.

OP posts:
Fiderer · 30/06/2011 10:34

He needs something hard and metallic to the head I reckon. Sadly he's not yet legally ex so I fear I have many battles ahead.
Am rather worried about tomorrow. Apologies for self-indulgence. The children, especially ds2 and dd (12 and 8) are being so very considerate to me, lots of hugs and reassurances of love.

But I feel bad. And I don't know if I'm being daft or self-pitying so am typing fast and will press 'post' before I'm tempted to delete. Tomorrow's my birthday. Because of the separation I lost 90% of my friends/acquaintances here. Some sided with him, some had no sympathy, some are just not sure what to do and stay away, some are part of a sporty group I no longer go to with him. I've been gloomy and struggling the last few months and have lost touch with other friends. Felt like Eeyore, a black cloud hanging over me and didn't, don't, want to be the one everyone is afraid to ask how things are.

I just don't want the children to see me as being a sad figure with no presents, few cards and nothing to do apart from maybe going to the pool with them. I've never made a big deal of my birthday but usually had celebrations with friends and tomorrow is going to be very flat.
I suppose I would hate to see them cheering me up because they shouldn't have to. I do bright and breezy and they still know.
Voice of reason, anyone?

Hullygully · 30/06/2011 12:01

Oh pore you. That is all very pooey. Such early days are always very hard. What I would do in the circs is take the dc out for a late lunch/early dinner and have splendid food and pudding and then go back and all watch a dvd. Tell the dc that that is what you want to do and kind of ignore the birthday part (in your head), and just try and enjoy being with them and having a good time and know that in the future you will have many other and different birthdays and this year this is the appropriate birthday in the circs. Promise yourself that next year, come what may, you will have a birthday of wondrous splendour and that in the great scheme of things, it all evens out.

Then, in a week or so, when the pressure of birthdayness has passed, make yourself invite the 10% of friends over for drinks/dinner and force yourself to start building a life again. Baby steps and all that. It is very easy to retreat when the gloom descends, and it is of course a vicious circle as one feels unable to contact people and the gloom deepens.

You have to do as I say, btw, it's the law. And know that we here at IPOAT are your frenz and love you very much.

You are always welcome to post both woes and joys btw, it is all part of being an IPOAT.

Hullygully · 30/06/2011 12:02

Missed the pool part.

Pool, slap-up, dvd.

Honeydragon · 30/06/2011 12:09

Hully speaks the sense Fiderer. Also if the ex asks and discovers you did nice family birthday things, he cannot accuse you to your friends of slackness and selfishness or any other such nonsense.

Fiderer · 30/06/2011 12:40

at lovely responses and am resolved to go out with the children tomorrow.
It's not really early days, has been going on for years and I'm tired of it all.
I don't regret ending the marrriage (wish I could have a banner saying that flying over the house) because he is, was and always will be an arse.
Just everything's up in the air and I hate that.
Can I have a special dispensation for teary shite, just for the next couple of days?

Hullygully · 30/06/2011 12:43

You tear and shite liberally and generously, MissFid, we'll mop it all up.

Uncertainty is horrid and unsettling. But tomorrow, put the day in a box, don't think about the past or the future just about each bit of the day. Oh, here we are having breakfast, now we're at the pool, here we are eating dinner etc until it's over. Make it manageable.

It would make a good t-shirt I think:

Because He Is, And Always Will Be, An Arse.

CheerfulYank · 30/06/2011 14:17

I think going to celebrate with the children is a lovely idea. I hope you have a wonderful birthday with possets galore!

Fiderer · 30/06/2011 15:06

Like the idea of putting the day in a box.

This time last year I had met someone new, someone "manly" as Hully would put it. After all the years with h I was so wary, then finally allowed myself to believe it was happening. Best birthday ever, with him, the children. Was a hard time, I'd left my h but he was still married. Then he left his wife, asked me to marry him.
Then he got cold feet. Went back to his wife.
Fast forward a year.

Appreciate the IPOAT support. Do we think tatting will help? Am ridiculously teary and that won't do.

MadameDefarge · 30/06/2011 15:23

No tears on your burfday, MmeFidsky.

Have a ballon. And a good flagon of organic mead.

Hullygully · 30/06/2011 15:36

Oh pore pore Fids. Ther are so many Arses in th eworld. Take heart from the fact that you experienced happiness and know it IS possible and WILL happen again. Just be a bit more thorough on the arse checking front.

Fiderer · 30/06/2011 15:41

Oh yes. Heart and mind and ego rather dented. But have sturdy chains ready and am grimly determined. Arses begone.
Anyone approaching will need to pass the IPOAT test.

Fiderer · 30/06/2011 18:03

Oh help.
H was here and announced he will pick the children up at 1pm tomorrow and have them for the weekend, at the sailing club which they love, swimming and pizza and sleeping on the boat.
So no pool, no birthday dinner with me and I'm on my own all weekend. I don't normally mind, I'm pleased for them but I was too shocked and too bloody proud to say, let them spend tomorrow with me. No mention of it being my birthday.
My head is spinning. I want to call him and say no, you can pick them up on Saturday. Tomorrow is my day. Anyone else I'd shout "What are you thinking?" but I think I'm too shocked that he'd even consider it.

Hullygully · 30/06/2011 18:09

You need to breathe deeply, and then call/text and say v calmly that you had made plans, so could he please pick them up on Saturday. Go on. Hang on, were the dc there? Did they hear? Even if they did, it doesn't matter, they will be pleased you want to spend the day with them.

Where are you? Boats and pools. I'll bloody come.

Fiderer · 30/06/2011 18:31

Yes they heard, they were there. Think it just bloody hurts, not just that he did it deliberately, or that he doesn't care but that he doesn't want the children to spend the day with me. So fucking petty. So very hurtful.

Hullygully · 30/06/2011 18:33

He's an arse, remember?

Rise above and float. And calmly tell Arse you'd made plans.

You need severe arse-detoxifying. You should be angry, not hurt.

Fiderer · 30/06/2011 18:42

Have told him.
Make me angry, Hully, please, angry enough to float and flail and not care and stop crying.

Hullygully · 30/06/2011 18:45

Now come on woman. You've put up with enough. You are nearly free of the arse, where is your spirit? Hmm? Draw a picture of Arse and stick drawing pins in it. Your life with him has been shit, but now it's all coming t an end and you can have a totally different and new one.

Can you go for a stiff walk?

Hullygully · 30/06/2011 18:48

I struggle with this. dh always gets hurt and upset by things while I get ravingly angry.

You deserve more and are worth more and how DARE he treat you like that? Get angry on your own behalf. Stick up for you as if you were someone else.

Hullygully · 30/06/2011 18:48

I have to go and cook (poor family) but I'll come by later with stern admonishments and broad shoulders.

Fiderer · 30/06/2011 18:53

Quite right Hully. Am not crying for Arse, whatever his shite.
Hard though to have loved the other one and lost. Tell self daily how useless he was and so forth but am admittedly a wee bit tender.

Hullygully · 30/06/2011 19:09

He lost, weak and cowardly and undeserving at bottom.

Head high, Fids.

Hullygully · 30/06/2011 21:14

Fids?

Fids?

Are you ok?

CheerfulYank · 30/06/2011 22:06

It's going to be all right Fiddy, really it is. Buck up!

MadameDefarge · 30/06/2011 22:20

a little birthday cake to savour with a glass of negus

happy birthday...

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