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AIBU?

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..to be upset that DP shares custody of his teddy bear with his ex?

965 replies

BearProblems · 07/12/2016 17:12

DP and I have been together 2 and a half years. We live together and have a DC. A few months before we got together, DP had split with his ex, who he'd been with for over a decade. Their split was amicable but they've hardly had any contact since. She seems to be a perfectly nice person. They have no DCs.

When DP moved in, over a year ago, his ex came to my house to collect Bear who was going "on holiday" with her. DP hadn't warned me this was happening, and I was just expecting her to drop some of DP's stuff off. DP did the handing over but it was all unbearably awkward. DP hadn't told her that he was moving in with me (we have known each other vaguely for years) so she couldn't have been expecting the new girlfriend to be a witness to this nonsense. He didn't tell her because he was hardly in touch with her and was (like a total coward) hoping someone else would tell her so he wouldn't have to. Anyway, I thought that was the end of it and she would be too embarrassed to ask for Bear again.

Today DP and I went out for a nice lunch together and, over the pudding, he mentioned, very awkwardly, that he was going out this evening... taking Bear, who is off on his Christmas holidays. He will drop Bear off with ex before meeting friends to play darts. He'll be gone a couple of hours in all.

I am 100% certain there is nothing going on with DP and his ex (or anyone else for that matter) but this has made me feel incredibly weird and uncomfortable and actually a bit insecure.

He made this arrangement with his ex and didn't tell me until a few hours before the arranged drop off. I know full well the reason he didn't tell me was because he was embarrassed about it (and rightly so!) but still, it seems disloyal to arrange things with an ex and not tell me.

And then there's the fact that it's so fucking weird! I can see, when she asked if she could have Bear for Christmas, he felt he couldn't object without seeming mean and petty or making me out to be some suspicious psycho (he knows I wasn't totally happy about the last time). He's a bit of a coward who hates conflict but also a kind man who doesn't want to hurt anyone unnecessarily.

I don't know what bothers me about it so much. I had been planning to get Bear a Christmas stocking - lucky I'm not sufficiently organised to have done anything about it yet. (I think this sort of stupid infantilism about DP's bear is fine within the confines of a romantic relationship but outside of one, it's just a bit creepy).

Sorry this is so long. It's so bloody ludicrous it was hardly worth writing let alone reading!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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DearMrDilkington · 07/12/2016 20:01

I sincerely hope you aren't cooking the bear op.

wishparry · 07/12/2016 20:01

.

Bambamrubblesmum · 07/12/2016 20:02

I'd take a contract out on the bear so that he disappears. Then practice your innocent face.

Sorry but Teddy now sleeps with the fishes

donate bear to charity

StealthPolarBear · 07/12/2016 20:03

Can you imagine Christmas morning. "Ooh look bear, I wonder what's next"
In fairness I have done a stocking for a giraffe and a monkey. The giraffe got some nuts, the monkey got a banana. Both got a chocolate "animal" bar.

Eaglesandbeagles · 07/12/2016 20:03

Firstly I think the uncomfortable feeling you're having is his going over to his ex for a teddy bear. Why is he still carrying this on with an ex when he has a partner and children at home? It's okay if you think he is cheating... I know that would be my first assumption (mostly because I wouldn't want to believe that he was really taking a bloody bear to his ex like it's a child when he has real children to focus on).

Second: Why can't she be like normal childless people and keep lots of cats? -- why do you hate cats so much?!

TheABC · 07/12/2016 20:03

On the off chance this could be real....

Just give the damn bear to your kids. And send the Boyfriend Bear from the teddy factory to the ex.

mscongeniality · 07/12/2016 20:04

Okay my DH has 2 stuffed toys from his childhood (I'm talking when he was like 3 onwards) and he is very attached to them. Even though they spend their lives in the closet now (at least they have each other), he will not even listen to them being given away. They are ratty and dusty now but no they have to stay. I thought that was weird enough but this is crazy on so many levels!

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 07/12/2016 20:05

I wonder if bear gets alphabites for his tea. I hope his name isn't Louis or Malcolm.

RhiWrites · 07/12/2016 20:05

MothershipG that's what I thought. Or Nicholas from Susan Howatch's novels.

happychristmasbum · 07/12/2016 20:06

I think this is one of the weirdest things I have ever read on here.

I agree with PP that the bear is a ruse for DP and his ex to remain in contact. Otherwise he would just tell her that bear had been lost or to fuck off

I would not tolerate this.

UnbornMortificado · 07/12/2016 20:07

It's not a baby substitute for her is it? Like those reborn dolls.

(Clutching at straws maybe)

Ca55andraMortmain · 07/12/2016 20:07

Obviously I'm totally alone in this, but I don't think it's that weird to have a bear with a 'personality'. Dh and I have one and although we both know it's silly and I would be embarrassed if our friends knew about it, we do give him a personality and set him up to be 'doing' things when we're out etc. It looks ridiculous written down, and I guess it is, but it's fun.

Admittedly though, I can't imagine still doing it if we split up, or even keeping the bear, which would always be a huge reminder of him. I think I agree with everyone saying that if exgf still wants the bear then she also still wants your dp.

yoowhoo · 07/12/2016 20:08

Is this a big wind up that I'm not in the know about? Or is open talking about an actual teddy bear?!

wheelwithinawheel · 07/12/2016 20:11

This. Is. Bonkers. My mind is boggling. How are you standing for this utter childish lunacy?! I'd tell him that you're not happy, but you aren't sure if you're being unreasonable so you're going to get the opinions of some of his friends and family, then do it.

wheelwithinawheel · 07/12/2016 20:11

Is this a film plot?

saltydogandme · 07/12/2016 20:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

viques · 07/12/2016 20:13

I think bear needs to bear up and leave home. Maybe he could take a one way ticket to Peru, via your wheelie bin!

TakeItFromMe · 07/12/2016 20:14

This thread has made me paws for thought

DramaInPyjamas · 07/12/2016 20:15

Come back OP, this thread is getting teddyious

QODRestYeMerryGentlemen · 07/12/2016 20:16

I can't bear waiting

ValaMalDoran · 07/12/2016 20:17

Either this is the plot to a shite movie involving Ted Paddington or Winnie the Pooh or you have some serious issues going on here.

Has no one mentioned the age gap yet? 20 years is a big gap for a far too overly invested relationship between a man and his bear...

PaulAnkaTheDog · 07/12/2016 20:17

Shock horror the baiting op didn't come back...

ALemonyPea · 07/12/2016 20:18

Do giraffes eat nuts, Stealth?

yellowpostitnote · 07/12/2016 20:18

OP, if your DP is great in all other ways, I think you are just going to have to grin and bear it.

TheWeeBabySeamus1 · 07/12/2016 20:18

I love this thread - it's so weird, I really hope it's true!

My ex tried to claim custody of a stuffed toy I'd had for nearly 20 years (not even with the cheeky git 2 years). He got told to feck right off - Simbas mine! Grin

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