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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Furious at DP bullying or AIBU?

27 replies

bananapants007 · 13/09/2017 09:54

DD6 had been a bit of a pain and also was keen to try out new water pistols. DP filled them up, took her outside and basically assassinated her with his. She couldn't work it (she hadn't been shown how to) she ran into a corner and effectively trapped, he blasted her repeatedly until she was soaking. I'm behind the glass shouting Stop, she can't move, show her how etc. She wasn't visible upset at the time but not laughing either. When she came in she sidled of to her room and got upset. She didn't want DP to help her so I changed her and she was quite upset. I raged at DP that evening and eventually he got it. He has apologised to her and to me. I'm still angry. Should I move on? I feel it has to be one of her defining moments and it was terrible to see. He's usually a lovely dad but I feel it's undermined my trust in him and worried it might have in hers too.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 13/09/2017 09:57

It was a silly thoughtless thing to do, but it wasn't 'bullying'.

You said he gets it now and has apologised to both of you.

Of course you should move on.

Allthewaves · 13/09/2017 10:01

He was thoughtless and didn't read the situation - my dh would be gun ho woth games like this and forgets they r kids. He saw what he did wrong and apologised. That to me is the sign of a good parent when they can admit to their child they were wrong.

Get him to take her out again with water pistols and set up targets son's can shoot them. Let them bond a bit

DarceyBusselsNose · 13/09/2017 10:02

Assassinated? Really?

AlmostAJillSandwich · 13/09/2017 10:05

He probably just got a bit caught up in the giddiness, not showing her how it works was probably an oversight, and he was having a bit of childish fun with her, without realising the fun was one sided.

He's apologised, what more can he honestly do? I'm sure he feels terrible about it and you being angry at him won't help. To say it's undermined your trust in him is a major over reaction, it was one silly mistake which wasn't malicious it was a game that went a bit wrong.

Cut him some slack, he'll be feeling bad enough as it is that he's upset her and possibly frightened her a little bit etc. It absolutly wasn't bullying imo.

scaryclown · 13/09/2017 10:06

I think it's unfair. In her little head she imagined using her new pistols and chasing about but just got humiliated.

Orangebird69 · 13/09/2017 10:06

If it was that bad, maybe you should've moved yourself from behind the glass and helped her?

SandSnakeOfDorne · 13/09/2017 10:07

Yeah, I'd be shocked if DH did this to my 6 year-old and furious. He's using his age and strength against her.

Subtlecheese · 13/09/2017 10:07

He must know and have seen she couldn't use hers. Bit of a dick move. Does he usually relish power over others?

Traalaa · 13/09/2017 10:09

You say he's a lovely dad normally - move on and accept his apology.

Traalaa · 13/09/2017 10:12

or .. why don't you get a huge bucket of water/ water pistols, etc. Stand him in the garden and tell him he's not allowed to fire back. Then let your DD soak him and get her revenge. It could be really funny and take the sting out of it.

bananapants007 · 13/09/2017 10:13

I know I'm overreacting a bit but I also feel that it's a side of his character that isnt nice (yes he does like to feel superior but never before in our home) and this is the first time it's affected one of our kids. How do I put it behind me? Any tips wise mums?

OP posts:
arousingcheer · 13/09/2017 10:14

Hard to say as he may just have misjudged the situation in the moment and he has apologised, but I think you're right to be concerned.

My grandfather used to tease me when I was little and my gran would get really cross with him but he didn't stop doing it. I think he thought that's how you engage a child, but it taught me about powerlessness and how you can be mocked for legitimate self-expression. The way your DD didn't react until she was in her room makes me wonder if she felt powerless and like her opinion didn't matter so she waited until she was alone to express herself. How women see consent, who they see as allies, when and how they choose to stand up for themselves, they're all tied into how we feel about being listened to and believed.

Does DD usually feel close to DP, trust him to support and care for her etc? I was also bullied at school, parents divorced, crap dad etc, so this was not in isolation, whereas an otherwise stable and supportive home life would have made it less of a 'defining moment' for me (as you so astutely refer to).

So I think YANBU but not sure where you can go from here. Can you have a family conversation about respect, playing and listening, reinforcing that no means no? I don't mean this as a punitive thing for your DP, more a discussion and agreement, so you can all feel you're on the same page? And in the process you may feel more listened to yourself, and less angry?

It feels like DD is so young to be having this conversation, but equally we learn this stuff when we're young. Idk if anything I've said is helpful, but I do feel for you and I think it's great you've felt this deeply and you're taking it seriously. Flowers

AuntLydia · 13/09/2017 10:16

What at absolute dick. Why would you even need to explain that to him? Wtf is wrong with him?! My dh joins in with water pistols and water fights - he'll give them a soaking but not without also giving them a chance and making sure they are participating fully and enjoying themselves.

Poor little kid, all excited to use her new toy and he didn't even bother to show her how to use it but just went on a weird power trip.

AuntLydia · 13/09/2017 10:19

I think the way I would deal with it, now you say he 'gets it', is to give him a chance to play with her again with them but in a more even handed way.

bananapants007 · 13/09/2017 10:22

This has really helped guys. Thanks. A properly done replay, the funnies and your far better articulation of how I feel has all helped me see how we'll address it over the weekend. It's to be sunny! Thanks a million.

OP posts:
Redpony1 · 13/09/2017 10:22

why don't you get a huge bucket of water/ water pistols, etc. Stand him in the garden and tell him he's not allowed to fire back. Then let your DD soak him and get her revenge. It could be really funny and take the sting out of it

I think this is a great idea!

bananapants007 · 13/09/2017 10:24

Me too. Sunny and very wet round at ours for a certain someone!! Then DP can buy the ice cream Smile

OP posts:
FuckYouChrisAndThatHorse · 13/09/2017 10:27

Love the idea of him getting soaked. Remind him that if he does it all in good humour (with lots of laughter and fun) then it's also a lesson for dd in being a good loser. He was a dick, but this can be fixed.

Edenrose206 · 13/09/2017 10:45

Your DP was being a real bellend, sorry! Your DD is far too young to learn that she can't fight back against a man who (literally!) has her cornered... it's an awful feeling of helplessness. My DF did that sort of rubbish to me, all in the name of being "affectionate" or "teasing" (but it wasn't...he was power-tripping). Is your DP the girl's biological father? Or unrelated? Your DP needs a short, sharp shock about how damaging this type of crap can be, and he needs to address his own behaviour promptly. First, he needs to apologize to her AND MEAN IT. He risks damaging her ability to say "no!" and defend herself. If he keeps up this crap, she will come to hate him for it. Step up for her! Let her know she need not be silenced and just take it...

abigailgabble · 13/09/2017 10:52

what were you, trapped? why didn't you intervene..?

RaincloudOfDoom · 13/09/2017 10:52

If she had been difficult, and he used the game to vent his anger at her, he was absolutely wrong. That's not what a good parent does. However we all fall off the good parent plinth at one time or another. It doesn't have to be a "defining moment". I agree that over-writing it with plenty of positive play should make things better.

yorkshireyummymummy · 13/09/2017 11:00

Give a man a water pistol and he reverts to a child. In his head he was ten again having a water pistol fight with his mate. He now knows how unfair he was so cut him some slack.However, your DDs feelings need addressing. So, I would teach DD how to use the water pistol, buy one of those bloody huge ones from amazon to be delivered tomorrow and ambush him with DD when he comes home from work! Revenge is a dish best served cold! Or am I just an utter bitch??

Edenrose206 · 13/09/2017 11:11

Yorkshire, I think that's a brilliant idea! But the OP's DP might need a tip-off so that he doesn't react badly in the (cold, wet) moment... if he could take it in good fun, the little girl would probably feel much better!

Branleuse · 13/09/2017 11:17

You need to get him back somehow with dd. Hatch a plan

kali110 · 13/09/2017 13:03

Think it was a huge overeaction.
He read it wrong and apologised, no need to rage at him or move on.

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