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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

...to say 'No, I won't'

131 replies

keeponworking · 23/11/2017 20:40

Background: XH - total twat. Self centred, lazy, shit father in nearly all respects that matter the most. Thankfully nowadays we hardly ever communicate in any form which is a blessed relief due to his unending twattery.

DS already told me last week that he's taking him to a concert in our area - it's absolutely fine with me and I'm v happy for DS to go but as per previous comment, I haven't had any direct comms from XH about it (and that too is also not a problem).

However I wasn't so happy about the concept that when coming to get DS (or so I thought - I shall explain later!!!) that XH would come all the way up to our home town then not spend any time with his DD (who he makes NO effort to have any contact with). To say he's broken her heart and shredded her self esteem would be a huge, huge understatement. This would be the second time he's made a special effort to come up here to see his DS, and ignore his DD, so I was kinda dreading how that would play out. Well, imagine my joy when I discovered this wouldn't even be a possibility because alternative plans are in play!:

Hello, I'm taking DS to a concert on XX.XX.XX. I've booked a hotel for us for that night and will drop him back to yours the following morning. He'll therefore have a bag with him so can you drop him to the Loser 'Dad's Hotel on Asshole Street for 7pm on XX.XX.XX. Thanks

This is HIS trip that HE'S made plans for with DS so in my book it's entirely up to him to get him there - none of this has been discussed with me (because it's not my trip) - so why try and get me to pick up the gaps in his planning at this point? Like the times I've done trips to concerts with DD - I wouldn't expect him to be involved, it's my outing so it's for me to organise!

You'll note, no offer of petrol money or asking me if it's something I'm able to do or have time to do - just the arrogant temerity to assume I will just do what he says - it's more of a question where he thinks already that I'm going to say yes of course, I'll plow into our nearest city centre at one of the busiest weeks of the year doing battle with the traffic-generating events that are going on related to Christmas...

There are taxi's from train stations to hotels so no need for me to actually drive him there - he can go on the train (surely, he travels regularly by train on his own now - btw, DS is 18!!!).

I mean, FFS!!!!!!

My jaw actually dropped on the floor?

This is an utter cheek isn't it?

OP posts:
C8H10N4O2 · 24/11/2017 08:09

Fascinated to see that defending a child against unwarranted attacks on his integrity and venting frustration with a useless and neglectful (to DD) XH is now apparently a symptom of "having a breakdown".

OP - 'Doesn't work for me', don't apologise, keep it short. I'm get your frustration with it all.

Domani · 24/11/2017 09:05

I genuinely was concerned for OP. I was married to a shit for 20 years too and I had a nervous breakdown. I thought OP's way of talking was very similar to myself at that time. That's it, simple, no malice intended, just concern. OP, he's probably using ds to continue to wind you up,
(my ex did this) and he's succeeding. Don't give him the power, let ds sort arrangements himself, keep out of it. As pp said there is power in silence.

Slinkymalinky1 · 24/11/2017 09:17

Domani, it didn't come across as concern I'm afraid. It read like you were patronising the op and taking the piss.
The op came on to have a rant about her feckless xh. She has had to defend her sons integrity, defend the fact she doesn't want her son walking through a dodgy area (most people would surely be concerned, particularly with her experience of the area) and then bizarrely had an irrelevant comment about where sexual attacks most commonly take place! Confused. So if she wasn't frustrated before, can't really blame her for being now!

user1495451339 · 24/11/2017 09:31

Just say :

'Sorry I won't be able to drop DS off at that time. Can you either pick him up or arrange alternative transport with him?'

Easy and forget about it. Am sure DS can make it clear to Dad he will need transport money off him.

Domani · 24/11/2017 09:38

Sorry if I offended anyone and especially sorry if I offended you, OP. That certainly wasn't my intention.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 24/11/2017 09:44

Understand the past trauma etc but dear God! Your child is an adult just ignore the text and get on with your life! Seems like your ex-husband sure is! You don't even need to be in contact with him but you are...issues Mmm! Not sure that is a reasonable response when it is the ex that has made contact demanding OP does something for his own convenience.

Why have you not questioned his reason for demanding that his exW drops of his adult son to a venue and event of his choice?

PuppyMonkey · 24/11/2017 09:49

My standard response to all CF texts is a good old fashioned: "Lol."

And OP - if you can't have a nervous breakdown on MN, where can you have one? Grin

Domani · 24/11/2017 09:57

There is no need to question ex's reasons, it's obvious. He's demanding op jumps when he clicks his fingers, he's arranged a bad area for ds and he's leaving his dd out. What decent, normal father does this? All of this is to wind op up, he is truly a shit. My answer to him (if any) would be that ds is now adult so sort it out with him but don't understand why you would arrange a bad area for your own son and why you are ignoring your own dd. You need to take a good look at yourself. Then leave it at that, ignore ignore ignore.

Domani · 24/11/2017 10:11

My ex tried to carry on the torment using my ds, until he bumped into my new dh in the supermarket and he put his head down and nearly ran out of the shop GrinGrin Never had any more trouble (dh is big, rugby player type with large beard and ex is more: skinny, beat your wife up now and again to keep her in line type)

pictish · 24/11/2017 10:39

"I would be worried for someone acting so adversely to a text tbh and then completely losing it on a forum. You don't act like that no matter what you've been through where I'm from."

Don't be so sanctimonious. Ugh.

thegrinchreaper · 24/11/2017 11:00

Sorry, Pictish. This forum is an education for me, I guess if there's one thing I should keep in mind, it's that we're all different and one person's annoyance due to desensitisation, could be another person's tip over the edge.
Which is all the more reason to just ignore the ex.

tongueincheek · 24/11/2017 11:21

These types of bullying texts only started since we divorced and he remarried and they had their own baby hmmm, coincidence??!

Op, you do sound a little resentful about this part and I think you do come across as over reacting to his text a little.
If you don’t want to do it just say no.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 24/11/2017 11:37

Your son is of an age where he could tell his father to stuff it. Why does he want to stay in touch?

This was my comment - I didn't intend it to be offensive and I apologise if it comes across like that.

It's just that I personally could not imagine keeping i contact with someone who was hurting a person I loved. It would kill my love for the hurter.

Your son's affection for his father is obviously very great.

bananasaregood · 24/11/2017 11:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RhiWrites · 24/11/2017 11:58

I didn’t want to read and run. OP, how horrible that your ex has turned from a decent dad to someone who ignores one child and uses the other as a pawn to treat you like a taxi.

I think your brief text was as good as possible under the circs. I hope you and DD have a great day together and your ex accepts his CF text hasn’t worked and doesn’t drag DS into a row.

Don’t be drawn into one even if ex tries.

thegrinchreaper · 24/11/2017 12:06

Bananas, you misunderstood my point.
Report of ignore posts you don't agree with, it's fine.

MyLearnedFriend · 24/11/2017 12:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

VelvetKK · 24/11/2017 13:04

*Bananasaregood
*
YES!!! All of that 👏🏼

SchadenfreudePersonified · 24/11/2017 13:22

I can undsterstand OP being concerned about her son walking about in a bad area. Statistically speaking, boys/young men are more likely to be subjects of assault than women or girls.

bananasaregood · 24/11/2017 13:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FlashTheSloth · 24/11/2017 14:55

Oh look, yet another thread derailed by posters picking at details which are nothing to do with them or the OP. It's getting very tedious to read.

OP, reply "no" and nothing more.

Trinity66 · 24/11/2017 15:01

I like CheapSausagesAndSpam suggestion

pictish · 24/11/2017 17:02

"Oh look, yet another thread derailed by posters picking at details which are nothing to do with them or the OP. It's getting very tedious to read."

Agreed. Sometimes I visualise threads like this as a gaggle of hens burbling and flapping and pecking at anything that might be edible.

ivenoideawhatimdoing · 24/11/2017 17:29

I hope you have a lovely time together but I’m afraid I’m not available. DD and I are going out for tea. You’ll have to sort it with DS. Keeponworkingit

keeponworking · 24/11/2017 23:40

I hope this post doesn't break MN (it's so bleedin' long!) but there's been a lot I've not responded to as of yet and whilst I'm not going to even attempt to link all the comments all beautifully to individual posters, I'll try and respond as comprehensively as I can!

And apologies for not getting back sooner - worked from home today but was bashing away on my laptop for hours on end and really really busy.

Prior to the surprise gift of this text yesterday, DS and XH were indeed making all arrangements for contact etc entirely between themselves so I can’t 'start' doing something that we were already doing.... already. That scenario will continue in exactly the same way following this unexpected blip in proceedings.

Domani I appreciate your further comments Smile.

Thank you Puppy and I can reassure everyone that I am about as far from having a nervous breakdown as anyone has ever been. I’ve got every right to be utterly pissed off after something like 9 months of wonderful radio silence from DH, to be summoned out of the blue to do his bidding when it has absolutely nothing to do with me. The concept of being responsible for the things you yourself decide to do is clearly not one XH is familiar with.

It's a miniscule 5 mins car/taxi journey from hotel to train station OR venue and since all DS needs in his 'overnight bag' is a bloody toothbrush XH could quite easily get him if he wants him to be able to drop his bag, or meet him at the venue in his car and have him put his bag in the car until the concert finishes. So there's absolutely no need for anyone to drop DS on the doorstep of the hotel. It's utterly bizarre and easily managed through a multitude of other options.

Info on the hotel anyone?! I thought I’ll have a look at the actual hotel. Holy Christ the reviews are bloody terrible. Ranging from "Disgusting filthy interior with stained mattresses", "inadequate fire doors", "looks like an old mental hospital inside", "car park is an unlit warehouse unit strewn with rubbish", "no central heating", "freezing cold" (I could go on)! Bloody glad I’m not staying there. Sounds like camping in a cowpat-strewn field would offer more hygiene and comfort.

I actually don’t think it’s to wind me up. In his mind he sees NO issue with what he’s asked demanded. Frame it that it’s for the benefit of his son and then I can be made to look like a truly awful person to his wife and the rest of his family (once again as I'm sure this is an ongoing theme).

“Sometimes I visualise threads like this as a gaggle of hens burbling and flapping and pecking at anything that might be edible” - Yes! Fabulous analogy Grin.

“Fascinated to see that defending a child against unwarranted attacks on his integrity and venting frustration with a useless and neglectful (to DD) XH is now apparently a symptom of "having a breakdown". Indeed.

So, ready for an update?!

So I waited until mid-morning today (Fri) to send my text (heh heh) and simply said along the lines of 'no I can’t do it, suggest use of trains/taxis'.

He actually replied (!) within the hour (God loves a trier!): 'It would be so supportive for [name of DS] if you transport him to the hotel. Why can’t you help DS?' (as you can imagine I was holding back the tears at this point, picturing poor DS having to ride on a nice train and get into a perfectly lovely taxi - the trauma, the injustice! Will DS ever be the same again?).

Knowing this would be the last reply I’d be sending on this subject I simply said “Your outing, all aspects your responsibility”. Hopefully that will be the end of it and if it's not, I won't be replying anyway, just completely ignoring. I can imagine him receiving it at work today and moaning to his work colleagues what an utter bitch his XW is not helping her own SON oh it's so awful! Arsehole.

He replied again after this (I kid you not - he must be doing the ‘Manipulation’ Scout badge or something): “I’m staggered that you won’t help your son out. I’ll talk to him about the arrangements [badmouth you to him]”.

I have ignored and will continue to ignore. Silly man.

I spoke to DS when I picked him up from college and said that I was not able to help with transport and also it’s totally ur dad’s responsibility to make all the arrangements needed for an outing that HE has devised and it’s nothing to do with me not caring about you DS. I resent DH most for being happy to use his son like this and involve him in shit that is absolutely and totally unnecessary. I'm not sure if this manipulativeness (sorry if that's not a word, my spell checker doesn't like it anyway) is actually him, or wifey. She can be quite horrible (evidenced by DD and by DS). But I think it's him but probably bolstered by her egging him on to 'take a firm line with your XW, DS, DD'. But, meh, who cares anyway. Time spent trying to figure out what's going on in his or her minds is not time well spent.

So no doubt he’ll have to disturb the moths in his wallet and pay for taxis for him since apparently he can't make the 5 min drive to the train station to pick DS up himself and would prefer me to drive into a mental busy Xmas city centre and do it for him. Lordy [shakes head].

Thank you to one and all for the engagement on this mini journey of extreme annoyance! Let the lines go dead again henceforth!

OP posts:
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