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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel sad about DP spending Xmas at his exes

998 replies

Tumbleweeds24 · 24/12/2017 12:00

I'm 36 weeks pregnant and it's the first Christmas that me and DP have lived together. Money is really tight this year so we're not 'doing christmas' here per say. We've had alot to fork out for, bills rent and baby stuff which has fallen at a time where there isn't any disposable. I'm fine with that, we agreed between us we would make up for it when baby arrives in late jan. No biggie.

We discussed what we'd be doing on the day (christmas) and as i knew he would want to see his children I said I would go to my aunt's so he doesn't feel bad about leaving me on my own. We don't drive so I would have to spend the night there as I'm reliant on the bus service.

He's planning to go to his exes on Christmas morning to see the kids and stay there for about 6 hours he says. He says he's not having christmas dinner there but he probably will, that's ok I guess. I think he's downplaying their plans for the day to spare my feelings. If I'm not going to be home he has no reason to rush back does he?

I just feel a bit sad deep down. I would have been happy staying here and just not bothering with the festivities, cuddling up watching a movie with him or something would suffice - but because he knows he's going to be out the house all of Christmas day he's keen for me to go to my aunt's so he doesn't feel guilty himself for me being alone. I would rather not if I'm honest.

I'm happy for him being able to see his kids at Christmas I really am. I would never come between that, it's just the idea of them playing happy families that's making me feel a bit sad. He can't bring them to our place because their mum doesn't want him having them around the new woman, so to spend Xmas with them means spending it with her at her place.

Aibu to feel a bit down about this? I haven't said anything and won't, I don't want to ruin Christmas for him or his kids

OP posts:
Tumbleweeds24 · 06/01/2018 21:42

That's true I don't know anything for sure as far as she's concerned, that's why I've put supposed in quotes. The only gauge I have is from him so its true she might not be like that, but I have an inkling that there's a degree of truth to it - that's also based on my intuition though and not just what he says.. though clearly I've been influenced somewhat by his tales. Granted.

Good point about the texting and how some people think nothing of it x

OP posts:
Tumbleweeds24 · 21/01/2018 20:57

Hello all

I'm back again, my little one was born a week ago. I went into slow labour in the night and DP was due to see his children the next morning. He wasn't going to go but I pushed him to as I knew we had a while to go and I wanted to bathe, prepare to go to the hospital and I didn't want his kids being let down as they were expecting him. I knew things would be changing now baby was on his way, or so I thought, so was fine with him going along one last time before having them here in future.

He went for an hour & half and came home in plenty of time, we went to the hospital and our son was born. We stayed in overnight then were preparing to go home, she text him asking if he's coming to see the kids again. She knew i had just given birth because he told her. She called him and he let her know, why? I'll never know as it was none of her business in the first place.

She got shitty with him, said he's putting their kids second to mine and his. Her sister then started texting him again telling him he's letting the children down, should be ashamed of himself, is a cunt etc. All of this whilst our son was barely a day old and through the threshold of our house.

To keep the peace I said why don't you just go round there tomorrow, see the kids and speak to her, tell her it's changing now because the babies here, and sort out a proper arrangement. He agreed. The next day came and he called her in the morning to sort out a time to go round. No answer. Then at 8.00pm that night she finally texts and says he can come round now. I was fuming. I genuinely believe she did it on purpose knowing the time would be disruptive as we have a newborn at home.

I saw red and told him enough is enough I'm not putting up with this anymore, I told him if he didn't come back with news that he had sorted it then he could F off and move back there. I told him i am no longer happy with him spending time there, now that we have a newborn, and I won't stand for it.

He went. 2 hours later came home telling me how he's put his foot down and told her he isn't continuing like this anymore and he's going to have the kids here. I asked what she said. He told me she agreed and said ok. I was dubious.

It was bullshit.

Fast forward a week, he hasn't seen his kids. Tonight I ask him why. I was concerned it had been longer than usual between him seeing them and was confused consideeing he had apparently sorted an arrangement for them to come here.

I say be honest, is she still telling you access has to be had around there. Yes he says. He gets visibly upset.

I asked him what it would take for him to see a solicitor. He said he doesn't know, he's worried about making her angry. "I would rather just suffer myself until the dust settles" he says. I took that as meaning he wasn't going to put up a fight about bringing them here. He said he doesn't want to battle with her.

I pointed out that it's not him suffering but his poor kids who would now be wondering why they haven't seen their dad.

I then felt momentarily guilty, had I not put my foot down and said I don't want him sitting there any more he would have seen them by now. However, I've already given enough Lee way this past year and I had my own baby to think about now. He was needed here. They are always welcome I tell him.

I then asked him if she's still being such an arse about contact, then why is she still on his phone texting if it's not about seeing the kids. I didn't think before I spoke so it may have then been obvious that I've been paying attention to his lock screen when he was asleep and could see her name. Oops.

He replies what? I repeat the question. He says she texts about general things, telling him about her dad's recent health situations and then said she's asked how me and baby are doing once?!

I said well I find it bloody ridiculous that somebody acting so poorly regarding child contact would think it's ok to engage in text tennis with the very person she's alienating. I said she can't have it both ways she either wants to be civil and get along and let you see your kids in the way you want to see them, or she doesn't - but can't expect to play bezzie mates via text in the mean time.

I'm just so annoyed with it all. Nothings changed. Nothing will. I'm reluctant to kick him out atm because in every sense other than this one he's been brilliant, he's hands on with the baby and I haven't had to lift a finger when he's been home from work, he will work a 12 hour shift then come home and watch baby until the afternoon so I can get some sleep. He preps meals for me. Does the washing. We would be lost without him at the moment to be fair.

That being said, I can't be doing with this crap anymore. There's too much bs flying around that I'm not oblivious to. Too many lies.

OP posts:
Hortonlovesahoo · 22/01/2018 06:04

Thanks for coming back OP. I was wondering how you were doing.

I think you’re right about him not changing and it’s all a bit of bull. I’d give yourself time to prepare and sort things out once he’s gone. Could a family member come and help you?

Tumbleweeds24 · 22/01/2018 06:33

Unfortunately not to the extent that he has been doing. I've relatives that can pop to the shops for me every now and then and provide moral support, but nobody who's able to watch baby in the day/night and deal with feeds and changes etc :(

OP posts:
ClaryFray · 22/01/2018 06:40

Congrats on your bundle op. I'm sorry he hasn't changed.

Coyoacan · 22/01/2018 06:44

No advice, but just wanted to say, congratulations on the baby, Tumbleweeds

TickyTakky · 22/01/2018 09:39

I hope you and your new baby are both doing well. Congrats.

Tumbleweeds24 · 22/01/2018 09:47

Thanks ladies x

OP posts:
DearMrDilkington · 23/01/2018 10:59

Congratulations on your new baby!

I'm sorry to hear nothing's changed. How long has it been since he last saw his children?

Tumbleweeds24 · 23/01/2018 16:10

Thank you :)

It's been just over a week now

OP posts:
Lizzie48 · 23/01/2018 16:47

Congratulations on the new baby, and it's great that he's being such a hands-on dad!

Sorry the problems with seeing his other kids are still ongoing though.

buckeejit · 23/01/2018 17:41

Congratulations! I think you are doing well & not surprised you're Pissed off. I think you need to sit down with the ex & get a bit of openness going on or it will never work

MotherofaSurvivor · 23/01/2018 17:53

He could go to a Solicitor for half an hour free and they would even send a letter to her IF he wanted. For free. (Not all will do this, but most).

He just wants two lives!

I get that everything else with him is so lovely and great but like I saw someone say on another thread "Would you drink a cuppa that had 1% Dog shit in it?! Even though 99% of it was your favourite tea/coffee?? Highly unlikely I would hope imagine?

Relationships shouldn't be like this. How long are you going to allow him to keep his head on the sand? Those kids cannot be kept away from their little brother forever can they? Are you going to allow him to take your baby for hours at a time to that bitch's house?! Or are the kids only ever going to see their little brother in the local park with you sat at home on your own? Not a long term solution is it?

Longer you leave it, less likely he is to do anything about it and the harder it's going to be!!!

MotherofaSurvivor · 23/01/2018 17:54

*in the sand

Tumbleweeds24 · 23/01/2018 21:28

I'm going to relay that to him, about seeing a solicitor for a half hour consultation for free and that he may be able to instruct them to send an initial letter.

I sent him some websites yesterday highlighting his rights, he spent quite some time reading them and said he found it helpful. He's just shit scared of getting into conflict with her which is daft, he sees her as god where his kids are concerned and not somebody to go against. Again, daft.

I desperately want our son to meet his half siblings, for their sake as much as his. The current situation is a breeding ground for resentment.

It does seem like he's increasingly had enough of the way things are himself he just needs to sort his act out and do something about it

OP posts:
Tumbleweeds24 · 23/01/2018 21:38

I def wouldn't allow him to take our son to her place for hours at a time, not that baby would even be welcome - she's pretending he doesn't even exist at the minute.

OP posts:
babyccinoo · 23/01/2018 22:52

They both sound dysfunctional.

If he doesn't see a solicitor about access then I think he is hoping things will go back to normal (i.e. he sees kids at ex's).

I hope he has got the message that you are serious.

Tumbleweeds24 · 23/01/2018 23:37

I agree. He's perpetuating the problem by doing nothing about it.

I told him firmly that I can't do this anymore and I will end the relationship if needs be, whether or not he believes I'm serious I have no idea

OP posts:
Hortonlovesahoo · 24/01/2018 11:25

It seems like he really doesnt want to deal with it and just wants his cake and eat it. He's really not looking at reality and what's needed.

HouseworkIsASin10 · 24/01/2018 11:26

Congratulations OP Flowers

You really will become more ballsy now, you won't fall for any of his shite. If it comes to it and you are on your own with your baby then you will be fine.

He seems to be brainwashed. I can't understand why he is being such a pussy and having text conversations.

Anyway, focus on your baby now. He is your priority. If DP wants to be involved then he can't be half-arsed.

It's like the Ex has orchestrated this so him not seeing the kids happened exactly when you have his new son. How bad does that look to his kids, and the Ex is probably rubbing their noses in it.

Lndnmummy · 24/01/2018 11:41

Congratulations! He doesn’t want to “upset her” but is quite alright with upsetting you? Confused

FizzyGreenWater · 24/01/2018 12:28

He'll continue to fence sit and work his absolute ass off to get this working his way - keeping you firmly apart and his feet under both tables.

I maintain, you don't know even half the story here. 'It does seem like he's increasingly had enough of the way things are himself' - you sure? Or is he ramping up the 'big sigh I am sooo pissed off with this!' act as part of whatever his game is?

I think you would have a real eye opener if you contacted her. I said this before - I think she kicked him out. I don't think it's necessarily true that she is the one blocking access in the way he describes - I think there is more to it, and it's quite possible that he's creating this situation for some reason - he wants you apart, you not in touch with her. He wants a proper foot in both camps - see the Christmas disaster. He wanted you out of the way so that he could go back to having a comfy time as part of that family. She doesn't come across as hostile and problematic to him at all. That's not to say she doesn't feel that way towards you of course. But there is much much more to this. Keep digging and you will see that the problem, the real problem, is HIM.

FizzyGreenWater · 24/01/2018 12:33

Oh and I totally agree with just getting the first weeks out of the way with his help - just focus on your lovely baby, don't let any of this spoil it - enjoy him :) and put this shit to the back of your mind.

It won't matter long term - you will get rid and see where the cards fall then.

Tumbleweeds24 · 24/01/2018 16:21

Yeah as much as he says he's sorry we've been dragged into this and feels terrible for upsetting me, he still carried on as he is.

My relative has also pulled him up on all of this. She asked him what he was doing about everything and he told her that the ex is still in love with him, he believes because he was her first love, and he's just trying to keep everyone happy.

Who's happy? I'm definitely not, his kids can't be because he hasn't seen them, he's not happy either apparently, the only one getting anything out of this is her - she's still getting his attention.

Well as you can imagine I wasn't happy when she relayed that back to me. I told him if he knows she's still in love with him what's he playing at texting her every day. He's only asking about the kids he said, when she starts talking about anything else he gives her closed answers. I said its innapropriate and you can call the landline to talk to the children every day so why do you need to be texting their mother about them as opposed to talking to them directly. Piss take.

I too think I would find out a few home truths by contacting her but the longer it's gone on the more reluctant I've become, I'm truthfully worried that I won't like what she has to say. I've invested alot in this relationship and don't want to face up to the possibility that I've been taken for a mug.

I'm getting my ducks in a row preparing for (the inevitable) where he doesn't sort things out. Its daunting but I don't want my son being a part of this ridiculous situation when he's old enough to understand it

OP posts:
HouseworkIsASin10 · 24/01/2018 16:50

I've invested alot in this relationship and don't want to face up to the possibility that I've been taken for a mug.

So why waste any more time?

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