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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Aibu to say "no" to dd's godfather?

250 replies

Harriedharriet · 05/02/2016 16:47

Background. We live abroad with no family on either side close by. We have three dds. Oldest (8yrs) has a godfather in this city. Godfather lives with his girlfriend. They decided many years ago not to have any dcs. Godfather is dear friend of DH. I like godfather and his partner.
So - the AIBU. Godfather likes to take dd out once every three weeks for dinner. This is in the last 18mts since we moved here. The two younger ones get very upset by this (not fair, she gets everything etc). Godfather is aware that it is causing conflict. I have suggested once evey few months. Have also explained time and again to DH. It falls on deaf ears with both.
It now seems to have turned into a battle of wills. I dread the emails asking as he often will push back for an alternate day and not accept my excuse. DH says it is wonderful that another adult is taking an interest. I think that every three weeks is too much and compromises her relationship with her sisters. I also think she is too young to have an "outside" relationship but maybe I am wrong there? My Godparents gave presents and an occasional day but became more active when I was older (teen). Same with my sibs and cousins.
So Wibu to say once every three to four months?

OP posts:
MTPurse · 05/02/2016 18:41

I think what it comes down to is you think your life will be easier dealing with one upset child rather than two upset children.

Harriedharriet · 05/02/2016 18:41

ADRIFT - do you really think it is appropriate to refer to two young children as "brats". Stand down.

OP posts:
PosieReturningParker · 05/02/2016 18:41

I don't have anything like GPs in my life as I'm an anti theist.

fastdaytears · 05/02/2016 18:42

I'm assuming that question isn't to me though am not religious and am living in the UK, just in case it is.

I know lots of people who are super involved godparents and see kids this frequently or more. I don't know why that's weird.

PosieReturningParker · 05/02/2016 18:42

Why does he insist on dinner on his own and not spending time with her elsewhere or all of you?!

fastdaytears · 05/02/2016 18:45

Because he wants to spend time with his goddaughter? All children are different away from their parents. I think he does spend time with the family though as the OP said they see him and not many other adults in this new place.

I spend time with children in and out of my family 1 on 1 and sometimes we have meals. Especially at about 8 they feel more grown up without parents around I guess and they tell you you everything that has ever happened to anyone in their class. It's really not dodgy at all.

Twooter · 05/02/2016 18:45

I don't think you're unreasonable at all. There does seem to be something very uncomfortable about the situation. It's not the gp's decision how often he gets to see your child. Nice that he wants to see her, yes, but completely wrong that he feels he has 'rights' to see her.

3WiseWomen · 05/02/2016 18:45

What is the GF doing with your dd? Is it a very 'extravagant' type of stuff (pizzeria and cinema followed by an ice cream) or is a more 'boring' thing like having a couple of hours at his house playing board games?

To be really honest, a parent, when they are away that much (5 days a month at home isn't a lot. It's more or less what children for an EOW visit), then siad parent looses the right to insist on a lot of things.
The OP will be the one to juggle playdates, b'day parties, any clashes, the after school activities etc etc etc I think that how often she sees her GF falls into the same category.

PosieReturningParker · 05/02/2016 18:46

I find it weird, but clearly the op doesn't think a grown man insisting that he takes her eight year old out for dinner alone every three weeks is odd. I'd be worried he was grooming my child, but then I'm deeply suspicious.

AdriftOnMemoryBliss · 05/02/2016 18:47

yes i do

a brat is a badly behaved child. the fact your younger two children are kicking up such a stink over what their older sister is doing that you would rather stop it than deal with them? brat fits perfectly.

EmbroideryQueen · 05/02/2016 18:48

I agree every 3 weeks is v frequent. I see nothing wrong with reducing it to every 5 weeks if that's what you want to do, however I think you should try to help the younger DC feel less jealous too.

PosieReturningParker · 05/02/2016 18:49

Are your feelings usually disregarded OP by this GF? So if you said no to dinner but he was welcome to come to dinner with you all, how would he react do you think?

starry0ne · 05/02/2016 18:50

I think you are BU for many reasons..

You expect to move country in a few years so maybe GP wants to build a bond.

Secondly for not managing your younger DC feelings...

I was a younger sibling only 15 months between myself and my sister.. I loved it she wasn't allowed to do anything unless I could ( except parties which I often got invited too anyway but it didn't work the other way) I think it really damaged my sister not been allowed to be her age....

I assume when you move countries other siblings may see GP and older DD won't

fastdaytears · 05/02/2016 18:51

Posie there's nothing to suggest anything untoward at all in any of the OP's posts. Unless what you're saying is all adults might be grooming kids until proved otherwise in which case fair enough I suppose.

silvermantela · 05/02/2016 18:51

agree completely with Satsuki - siblings have to be told that they are treated fairly, not equally - particularly as she's the eldest there will always be something that she can do that they can't.

but every three weeks is a lot! With three dc all in school all week and probably doing activities, seeing friends, etc on weekend I can imagine you'd like to spend some time together and having to work around him that often might be a pain. would agree that every 2 months or so would be better.

also not really appropriate for him to be pushy when you say one date doesn't work. She's not a toy or an appliance for him to borrow and then give back when convenient, she's a person!

RortyCrankle · 05/02/2016 18:51

I think YABU OP. I think it's great your DD's godfather takes such an interest and it's a good lesson for children to learn they won't always get the same as their siblings at the same time.

When I was young my sister used to go and stay with her godmother during holidays etc - I never had a problem with that and got different things at different times.

Harriedharriet · 05/02/2016 18:52

Again - I do not want the relationship to stop. I want to decrease the frequency from 3 weeks to something more manageable.

I have to go now and get my "special snow flakes, jealous brats" from school. 😂😃

To a pp - he takes her out on a Sunday for dinner when his girlfriend is away. Every three weeks by coincidence!

OP posts:
HPsauciness · 05/02/2016 18:52

I think your reasoning why this is wrong is a bit off, in that it can't be about pleasing the other children, but I also wonder if your radar that this is too much is actually accurate in other ways.

Absolutely no-one, just no-one tells me when they can see my child, Even the person my children are closest to outside our nuclear family, my mum, asks to see the children. If they were busy, or I decided they weren't around except once a month, she may be upset, but she would not be able to say no.

I actually don't get this dynamic- they say we want to see her every three weeks, you say 'no', I think every couple of months is fine- then you say, well that's what's on offer take it or leave it. You don't negotiate with non-parents about who your child sees or when.

The power dynamic is all wrong here and it is that which rightly worries you. Your husband is basically missing in action in the parenting stakes, and your word about what is acceptable for your children is being over-ridden by outside people, who whilst lovely and nice, may have their own agenda or just may make you feel uncomfortable for a reason you can't quite put your finger on.

anonymousforthis · 05/02/2016 18:52

I would find every three weeks too often and possibly a bit weird. Why not take her to a theme park, zoo, museum. Just dinner?!

Harriedharriet · 05/02/2016 18:57

ADRIFT - you remind me of my Aunty Nell

OP posts:
HPsauciness · 05/02/2016 18:57

Having read your last post- I reiterate, go with your instinct. If you are not happy, you are the parent in charge, you say no. I would not allow my child to go out to dinner with someone who insists and doesn't take no for an answer that he sees the child on his own every three weeks. It's not necessarily sinister, but it is odd, and you have every right to say, no, that's not right for me and my family and I won't be discussing it. He does not get to veto your decision!

What about when your dd is older, will she be allowed to say no?

MTPurse · 05/02/2016 18:57

To a pp - he takes her out on a Sunday for dinner when his girlfriend is away. Every three weeks by coincidence!

I shall bow out now, that is the biggest drip feed you could possibly feed to cause a stir..

HPsauciness · 05/02/2016 18:58

MTPurse you may be right.

Harriedharriet · 05/02/2016 18:59

A lot of you seem to presume that the home is run on equal things. It is not. Growing up my younger sibs got to do everything when I got to it. Very frustrating. i don't "do it" that way.

OP posts:
TheTigerIsOut · 05/02/2016 19:00

I'm with you, why every 3 weeks? If he had said once every month or two no problem, but I would be fucking livid if I said no and he insisted in having his way.

You are the mother, you call the shots, especially if your husband is hardly ever at home.

Great that the GF is taking an interest, but if he is willing to go the extra mile to take a 7yr old out against the wishes and preferences of the mother, I would get a bit suspicious. Sorry.

Stand your ground.