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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be hacked off at ex pestering for MAT B1 form for Paternity leave?

77 replies

Salt14 · 09/05/2012 22:40

AIBU to be really pissed off that ex is hassling me to get MAT B1 form from midwife when he is not contributing financially or care wise towards his child to be? He started requesting it when I was 9 weeks, am now 25 weeks, just been diagnosed with gestational diabetes today & told him I was worried about cost of parking at hospital on top of everything else & he texts chasing this!

I don't even see why he should get paid leave when he is not going to be spending it with me or his baby. He can't even be arsed to come to scans! Angry

OP posts:
samandi · 10/05/2012 09:08

I guess this is what you get when you have babies with losers.

If you are worried about the cost of parking at the hospital I assume you are on a low income. Therefore he should be contributing financially to the baby.

The whole situation sounds daft.

sashh · 10/05/2012 09:45

sassh I rather like your ideas. If this chap does turn out to be trying to scrounge leave and not help the OP, I'd love to be the one who takes a photo in

Oh i'm evil, I know.

Sallyingforth · 10/05/2012 10:53

I'd let him claim the leave/payment and wait to see if the came and supported me after the birth. If he didn't, then I would write to his employer and DSS to report him for having made a false claim. It'll be worse for him than just not getting the PL.

EldritchCleavage · 10/05/2012 12:00

Do ask him what his plans to help you out are OP, including financially. If he says he isn't, point out he won't be needing the form.

Hospital parking-check whether the hospital has a day pass system for people who are in all day or overnight. Mine did, so parking was only £5 for the whole day (12 hours), which was a relief as I was in for a week with DC2.

Lovelynewboots · 10/05/2012 12:19

He does not need your MATB1 form. You need it for maternity pay but he does not. You certainly don't get it when your nine weeks pregnant.; I think I got mine at about 25 weeks.

Lovelynewboots · 10/05/2012 12:22

I don't think you can get another one either. Don't give it to him. He really isn't entitled to have it. This kind of crap makes me really Angry. He sounds like an idiot and I can't imagine he will be much help to you even if he does take paternity leave.

mrsscoob · 10/05/2012 12:24

Definitely do not give him the form! If it were me though I would just leave it at that, I wouldn't go to his employers, it isn't your responsibility to do that and it would just cause incredible bad feelings just before your baby is born and do you really want that?

BlackOutTheSun · 10/05/2012 12:28

Do NOT give him the form, he really doesn't need it

Also isn't nancy boy a song?

ImperialBlether · 10/05/2012 12:29

I think her ex showed his true colours when he asked for that document as early as 9 weeks in. It sounds as though he sees it as an opportunity to take time off work.

kittycatwoman · 10/05/2012 12:33

Dont have babies in future with losers.

Also, listen to what anyfucker says. Get in writing that he will be there to support you and the baby.

bogeyface · 10/05/2012 15:44

Thats not helpful Kitty

I am sure that the OP didnt set out to have a baby with a loser FFS Hmm

Paiviaso · 10/05/2012 16:32

bogeyface, unfortunately browsing through Mumsnet it would seem a lot of women realise that the men they are with are losers yet make children with them anyway.

Salt14 · 16/05/2012 00:07

Thankyou for all your comments ladies. Certainly helped me realise IANBU. Just to confirm the anxiety thing is all very strange and one which I have the upmost sympathy and respect for having suffered with anxiety & depression myself. It became very apparent when we were together that these 'attacks' only came on when I wasn't paying enough attention to what he wanted. The one in the hospital he said was because he was worried about the way that my parents have reacted to my pregnancy. Which was understandably with concern. When I found him outside he was still having a 'panic attack' saying he couldn't breathe but was smoking a cigarette. I really hate to say it but I really think he's faking it hence why I have no sympathy as I feel he is taking the mickey out of genuine sufferers.

His overall behaviour is really strange. I unfortunately found out too late that he was a complete loser and actually sat down with him to talk over my concerns and how I felt just 24 hours before I found out I was pregnant. During that conversation I asked him to contribute towards the household bills as he had moved into my home, He refused saying that if I had been able to afford it before he lived there then what was the difference now? When I told him the next day that I was pregnant he said, "Well that explains your completely unreasonable behaviour last night". I tried to make it work as I believe strongly that a baby needs a mother and a father. It was just very hard with someone that can lie and manipulate as easily as he can.

Incidentally I know I should have used protection and feel so daft for saying it but at 34 and having been told it was very unlikely that I would fall pregnant due to health problems I really thought I couldn't conceive.

Because of my values I desperately want him to be involved with our child and do not want to deprive him but his behaviour is becoming increasingly erratic and he is refusing to contribute financially. He has 2 children from a previous relationship who he does not provide for and sees them once a week yet complains that he misses them. His ex partner will allow more visitation but he refuses as it will cost too much in petrol to drive the half hour to see them. His lies have included ones about his sons behaviour, he claimed that the school had requested an urgent meeting as his son was bursting into tears at school. It turned out to be a complete lie. Who does that?

I asked why he wanted the two weeks off for paternity leave and what he planned to do with it, he said he needed it to catch up on his sleep as he was exhausted. Admittedly he does work hard and runs his own shop during the day and works at a supermarket at night. So he will still be working during the day.

I've told him when appointments and scans are happening and he has failed to turn up or even ask how they went, yet will text weekly to ask what I have been up to. TBH I am so confused as to what he actually wants as when I ask he wants to be involved with the baby yet he will not financially contribute and only wants access on a Sunday to combine with his other two children. Oh that and Christmas day.

Sorry for long post put I just wanted to try and clarify a few points, though it's just confused me even more!

Thank-you for all your support

OP posts:
bogeyface · 16/05/2012 00:15

Tell him to stick Xmas day up his arse! And use those words.

He doesnt get to dictate ANYTHING.

Regarding money, if you know his full name, address and where he works (not essential but makes it quicker) then the CSA will take whatever maintenance they see fit straight from his wages so you should atleast get something.

Have you decided whether to tell his employers about his fraudulently claiming leave and paternity pay?

Inertia · 16/05/2012 07:21

You need the form to give to your own employers. Just keep telling him your employer has kept the form if he hassles you.

He doesn't get to dictate access. Nor can he choose whether he contributes towards his child's upbringing - that's the CSA's job.

EldritchCleavage · 16/05/2012 12:23

I thikn he wants not to be seen as the bad guy, while complrtely failing to take any responsibility for this child or share any of teh effort involved in bringing her/him up. Now is the time to bring home to him parenthood involves responsibilities as well as rights, via the CSA and and formal plans for access/residency.

Lovelynewboots · 16/05/2012 12:34

Please don't ever think yabu when it comes to this man. His behaviour is not how a father acts so I can't imagine that your child will benefit from his input. Sorry you are going through this but don't let him grind you down.

nickelbabe · 16/05/2012 12:52

I think you'll need to apply for CSA.

of course, that means you'd have to agree to him being named on the birth certificate.

you could always deny him that privilege, then he won't be able to insist on visiting either.

LadyHarrietdeSpook · 16/05/2012 12:59

I don't actually understand what he can/wants to do with the MAT B form. My DH didn't need it (or have to PROVE he was married, if you see what I mean, so it can't be that) in order to take parental leave.

Is this even the only reason I wonder? How bizarre, I have never heard of this before.

How does he even know about it? OP From your posts he doesn't suond the most switched on or organised of people, far from it.

WhereYouLeftIt · 16/05/2012 13:08

"Because of my values I desperately want him to be involved with our child and do not want to deprive him"
Sorry, but I really think you should reassess this. You are struggling to deal with his mindfucking behaviour, and you are an adult. How is a small child meant to cope with that? You know how he behaves towards his other two children, is that really what you want for your child? Personally I would do what I could to facilitate him staying as far away from me and my child as possible. I expect he will enjoy bleating about the unfairness of it all but will actually prefer it, and your child will not be messed about by him.

johnthepong · 16/05/2012 13:22

"To qualify for Ordinary Paternity Leave you must be an employee. You must be taking the time off to support the mother or carer for the baby and intend to be fully involved in their upbringing"

so he isnt entitled!
anyway I dont think his employer can ask for YOUR matb1 form- that is yours -nothing to do with his employment! So dont give it away!

GoPoldark · 16/05/2012 13:31

What an absolute, absolute loser.

Seeing as you're very unlikely to get a penny out of him, I'd do my damndest to drop him in it wrt trying to claim unlawful paterniy leave.

And yes, reassess those values now. Because I'm guessing that those same values want to see you show your child the diference between right and wrong, that he/she is unconditionally loved, that love is not about manipulating, faking 'panics' when not getting enough attention, freeloading, whining, using, and letting people down?

Don't start your child off with the handicap of having to learn about how people like this work, and the damage to self-esteem that comes from trying to rely on them as a parent.

mudspies · 16/05/2012 13:43

Christmas day = Christmas dinner

Dee03 · 16/05/2012 14:05

Get onto csa ASAP and get some advice.

3duracellbunnies · 16/05/2012 14:05

If he is still working in the day I don't think he should get pat leave anyway. I'm sure when I had mat leave I wasn't allowed to do any other work, including self-employed.

Why should he get the baby every Christmas, just for the fun stuff. I say max every other Christmas, if he is contributing maintenance. He is in no position to be laying down his requirements.

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