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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to say DD can't stay with her father for an extra night, and to refuse to ring him to discuss it?

111 replies

QueenOfFlamingEffigies · 21/10/2012 08:11

There is lots of background to this (7 years worth [rolleyes]) but I will try and keep it to the bare bones and avoid drip feeding.

DD is 9. Her father walked out on us when she was 2, and has made very little effort to stay involved in her life since then. He refuses to speak to me (he's a bit strange like that - he has 3 DC by 3 women and won't speak to any of the mothers Hmm)

After years of difficulties, we have come to the current situation, which is that I arrange by text and email with his parents (who he lives with) when DD will visit them. As I now live about 100 miles from them, I take DD to my parents house which is about halfway, and the GPs collect her from there. This has been working fine for the last couple of years.

For this half term, I asked his parents a month in advance if they would like DD to visit and explained that it could be for no more than 4 days as I had some things I wanted to do with her as well. They sent a reply saying "Yes great, our car is in the garage on 24th so how is sat 20th to tue 23rd" to which I agreed. I've heard no more since then apart from to confirm collection time.

They came to collect her from my parent's yesterday, and GM asked my mum (I'd had to go before they arrived) if DD could stay an extra couple of nights as they didn't feel they were having her for long enough and that it wasn't really 4 days when you took travelling time into consideration. My mum said it wasn't up to her and told them to talk to me about it. I then get a text from GF saying "[EX] want's to discuss [DD's] visit with you, please can you ring him about it"

I sent a message back pointing out that I can't ring Ex as he refuses to give me his mobile number Hmm and that I wasn't prepared to change the days now as it was too short notice. Since then I have had 4 texts from GF's phone, firstly asking me to ring on that number (why the fuck could he not just ring me then??), followed by three messages giving me DD's father's number and repeating the request that I ring him.

I think this is Not On for several reasons - DD is going for the days that THEY ASKED FOR for a start, and if Ex wants to be involved in the arrangements he should do so when they are being bloody well made. I refuse to be drawn into discussion about extra days at this stage. He also can bugger off texting demands that I ring him. He can ring me himself if he suddenly feels the need to get involved. That's not unreasonable, right?

OP posts:
QueenOfFlamingEffigies · 21/10/2012 13:35

Whilst having internal turmoil over ringing, GF rang my phone. I answered and he put Ex straight on to talk to me Hmm Shock

Anyway it transpires that, as I suspected, Ex and his parents hadn't actually bothered to talk to each other about the dates involved. Ex heard that DD was coming in half term and thought that meant next week, despite me and GF arranging specific dates. So Ex wanted her to stay longer as he had other unspecified and probably involving a woman and/or drugs plans for the days she is there.

She is returning as planned on Tuesday as Ex has now cancelled his plans and I made it very clear that the lack of notice was the problem.

OP posts:
HappyHalloweenMotherFucker · 21/10/2012 13:36

Good for you

Their communication cock-ups are not your problem, and certainly not your dd's

QueenOfFlamingEffigies · 21/10/2012 13:40

Thanks everyone Smile

Ex and his loopy family have an amazing ability to make me feel totally wrong-footed and doubt myself. Just glad it has been sorted so easily this time.

OP posts:
NotaDisneyMum · 21/10/2012 14:08

Sounds like the GP are supportive of you and DD but felt pressured by your ex to try and change things - anyway, glad it's cleared up and that his victim persona didn't have the desired effect Wink

Attilathehun · 21/10/2012 14:50

He must have something going for him to have got three women pregnant.

bigmouthstrikesagain · 21/10/2012 15:09

Atilla any idiot can get a woman pregnant - no offense OP you sound very sorted and wise - I am sure I have narrowly avoided being impregnated by an idiot myself (also a crap painterHmm).

Funnylittleturkishdelight · 21/10/2012 15:33

Glad you for the result you wanted- and actually you've gained a lot from the attempted confrontation which meant he backed down. He had tested the boundary and now knows he can't push you around.

TheSkiingGardener · 21/10/2012 21:04

Excellent result. Hopefully ExP's family will start communicating about this stuff now!

lovebunny · 21/10/2012 21:54

if you have made arrangements, people should stick to them.

RandomMess · 21/10/2012 22:03

It's sounds as though the GF was trying to stay neutral, good on him for making the ex speak to you. Glad it's resolved!

TinyDancingHoofer · 21/10/2012 22:38

Well done OP, sounds like you are handling things well. Enjoy your half term Smile

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