Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Regarding DD's dad-few different things

9 replies

RedRosesWhiteDaisys · 24/02/2013 16:39

Just needing a bit of perspective really. DD is 11 months, but was born at 28 weeks. Me and ex get on ok, but he has a habit of disappearing for weeks at a time since week 1 and so I have always been quite nervous leaving her alone with him as it doesn't really feel like he cares about her.
It's always about himself rather than her, and always focused on her looks/clothes/if she's "embarrassing him" by crying in public.

So while he is quite immature, we had a discussion after him managing a month of 1 visit a week, and he took her into town to meet up with his friend then back to his for 3 hours yesterday, then I picked her up from his house.

My AIBU's are

  1. AIBU to say to him that if she comes back stinking of smoke again then I will be accompanying him of the next trip. He had told me before taking her that he wouldn't be smoking during the visit when I had asked if he could make sure she wasn't in the baby carrier when he smoked. (May be being slightly PFB here as she was on oxygen for her first 4 weeks)
  1. AIBU to not want him taking my (very loved) buggy, as I don't want it chipped/smelling of smoke. He has a baby carrier but was saying he "will be" taking her buggy next time.
  1. AIBU to say no to the next visit regardless of whether I can or not if he doesn't give 3 days notice? Think this one may be slightly unreasonable, but we have had this conversation again and again, and after 11 months its starting to feel a pretty deliberate as every single time I say to give 3 days notice and it is always "i don't know when i'm next free" then a text saying "What time are you home tomorrow" last minute usually late the evening before, then phone calls if I don't reply quickly.
  1. If he now disappears for 2-3+ weeks without any contact again, AIBU to say I will be there for contact for a couple of weeks while she gets used to him again, despite him having had her alone now?

Please be completely honest, if I am being precious/unreasonable I'd rather know! Smile

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 24/02/2013 16:44

the only unreasonable thing you have done is allow this muppet to have unsupervised access to your baby..

YouTheCat · 24/02/2013 16:45

I'd be tempted to tell him to go through court for access if he is that unreliable.

MrsTomHardy · 24/02/2013 16:52

Agree with others.....he is a muppet!
Let him take you to court for access.
Keep a diary of everything

RedRosesWhiteDaisys · 24/02/2013 16:56

The unsupervised happened partly to avoid court. I'd rather have the ability to return to supervised visits over any concerns rather than have a court order I have to allow. Also I really can't afford court, especially with legal aid being stopped in April.

OP posts:
MrsTomHardy · 24/02/2013 17:00

Well I wouldn't allow contact unless at least 3 days notice if that's what u want...if he phoned/texts the day before then you are busy and no contact. Do not let him dictate contact. Can't he stick to certain days/times, at least you can plan your life a bit??

mrsbunnylove · 24/02/2013 18:29

supervised access only because of the smoking. 11 months? she can't phone home. too young to be out with an irresponsible person.

Possiblyoutedled · 24/02/2013 18:33

Oh dear. He sounds like a moron of the highest order. Arrange supervised access.

Possiblyoutedled · 24/02/2013 18:34

Let him take you to court then you don't have to pay.

TroublesomeEx · 24/02/2013 18:36

Don't let him dictate contact.

If I were you I'd do the whole killing with kindness thing. Arrange to sit down with him, present it all as what's in the best interests of your daughter (because that's what it's all about) and focus less on it being about what's convenient for you and more about what's best for her particularly as you hope that he will play an active role in her life for years to come. If you present it all as how important he is to her and how she needs you to be able to arrange things to meet her other needs, then if he messes you about he doesn't have a leg to stand on in terms of wanting what's best for her. If that makes sense.

I'd pretty much minute the meeting and give him a copy and then keep a diary of everything. Just in case.

That way, if he sticks to giving appropriate notice etc then there is no problem with him having contact with her anyway. If he can't do that, well then you've shown that you've done your best and if he has agreed to that arrangement, he can't complain when it doesn't suit him.

And as far as the 'embarrassing him' stuff goes. He really does need to grow up!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread