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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To leave my DS to make the decision to go to his dad's or not. Especially after this please help

29 replies

ExhaustedAndHormonal · 25/02/2018 23:54

So DS currently sees his dad EOW Fri to Sun.. Unless he has a sleep over with mates or his dad makes other plans I. E holidays etc..
His dad lives about a 45 min drive away so if DS has a party sat am, His dad refuses to get him from the pm to the Sunday.. So have always given DS the choice of what he wants to do since age 10.whixh his dad was happy with

DS is now 12.
His dad is married has been with her maybe 10 years. I have a Fiancé and baby on way.

The last few times ds has gone. He has come back saying things like his SM and SSis are always on at him. Silly things like his dad will ask.. How's school.. And typical teen reply ' fine' or 'yeah OK but boring'
Which we pretty much get at home.. Nothing elaborate
Then his SM or step sis will have a go about being disrespectful etc.
Their grandson who is 4 yesterday spilled something and blamed my DS. Now obviously I wasn't there so I honestly don't know both sides of the story.
But it then all had kicked off as when DS said it wasn't him. They replied well xxxx is only 4 so can't lie!

So again, not by any stretch condoning DS but he gave attitude and said he felt it was unfair and he felt ganged up on.

This resulted in his dad flying off the handle and having a shout at him.. Scaring him. To the point he text me to pick him up.. I tried to ring him and his dad took phone off him..
I asked if he could bring DS back and he refusedbut I could hear he was angry and DS was upset.
So I went to collect him..bearing in mind I'm 39 weeks pregnant and uncomfortable.

His wife then rang saying DS Has been a bastard ( her words) all day. Had refused to do homework etc.
I said until I got there there wasn't much I could do bar listen to both sides etc.

Got there at 10.30pm last night. An very upset DS and his dad wouldn't let him get a word in edgeways.. Proceeded to tell me how horrible DS was etc. I tried to say that, tbh he's a pre teen and I often get the grumbles etc etc.

When we left DS said his side.when I went to tell him he should of done homework he said he had and showed me it. Said how his step sis and step mum always have a go. That in ear shot his step. Mum said he's selfish. That in ear shot his dad said to his wife. ' parenting is shit'
DS is always saying his dad and sm argue loads and he hates it.

Calmed DS down and he went to bed.

This morning he said he wasn't sure if he wanted to stay overnight anymore, and wanted a break from going.. But maybe he could see his Dad just the two of them

So. I rang his dad and said that.
His reply was I'm. Not talking to him. Until he apologieses.. That when he shouted at DS, DS just glared ( DS does this to zone out to try and avoid getting upset) and would it take to ' beat' him to get him to see sense

I went mad and said if he ever touched him I'd report him.. He said go on then ( I left him due to DV)

Well DS could hear all. This and said mum hang up on him, he doesn't ever listen.

The call was left as, DS should be apologiesing to him not the other way round.! And that if DS doesn't go then I can kiss my cms goodbye ( I'm not bothered about the money as I know he would. Legal have to pay)

I said, well I will leave it to DS if he wants to come but let him calm down.. And he said 'you're no parent unless you force him to come, he shouldn't get a choice...'

He's 12 so surely he's old enough to make that decision?

now I will say DS is far far from. Perfect, yes he does give attitude etc so please don't think I'm making out like he is completely innocent, and as I say I wasn't there to know exactly what went on. I can only go by what Ive been told I just want to know aibu in leaving DS to make decision on whether to go or not?

OP posts:
Thehop · 25/02/2018 23:58

My boys are 7 and 8 and the 8 year old prefers to stay at home when 7 year old goes to his dads.

I definitely think you should let your son decide. Sounds like he has a shit time at your exes. Let him stay at home.

Montyrage · 26/02/2018 00:00

Well firstly it depends. Is the contact court ordered?
Secondly I was told by the children's legal service that children would be listened to by age 12 if it went back to court.

ExhaustedAndHormonal · 26/02/2018 00:04

Sorry should of said.. No court order. Always just been a mutual agreement

For the last 6m, I have had to persuade him to go and spend time with his dad as he hasn't been keen to go.
. But now I've got to the point where I think, should I let him chose.

OP posts:
Ehupflower · 26/02/2018 00:13

Let him decide.

bastardkitty · 26/02/2018 00:14

I wouldn't, as such, let him choose, bjt I would make a decision together with him which supports his wishes. It sounds like taking a break is a good starting point because your ex sounds like an abusive cunt.

NeedsAsockamnesty · 26/02/2018 00:15

Given that you have said it’s not court ordered and the age of the child under those circumstances I wouldn’t even encourage him going. Even if it was court ordered I would feel fairly confident going back to court to get an order amended or ended.

He’s 12 he’s told you he is experancing behaviour that is highly likely to constitute abuse, you have evidence of threats of abuse from your ex and emotional abuse from both the adults and there is a history of domestic abuse highly likely to be continuing with the adults in that house.
Listen to your child.

Ehupflower · 26/02/2018 00:15

He’s old enough to make his mind up and whether he wants to go. Its ha

fuzzywuzzy · 26/02/2018 00:16

He said it would take a beating for your son to listen?

I’d quietly accept your son’s refusal to have contact, it sounds like he’s not safe at his fathers house.

Go thro CMS for maintenance they will enforce it if he stops paying.

Ehupflower · 26/02/2018 00:19

Oops didn’t mean to post that ad hadn’t finished!! ..the father should be going out of his way to make your son feel loved and wanted.

ExhaustedAndHormonal · 26/02/2018 00:22

Thank you. DS knows I will always support him in whatever he choses.
When I previously encouraged him to go its because I think it's important for him. To have a relationship with his dad.. But now after what he said in phone.. That he expects a child to make the first apologies and that would it take to 'beat' him to make him listen.. Then I know I would be wrong to make him go.

I'm lucky that DS does have his head screwed on and will. Always come to Me or my dp and tell us concerns etc.
The heartbreaking bit today was at dinner, he piped up and said I wish you were my real dad( to my dp) as u actually bother with me and help me and do things with me.. It was so sad but also heartwarming.
As he's right my dp does so much for him. If he has a trip that's expensive dp will do extra work so he can go. Etc.. As his dad just says ' I pay cms that covers it all'

OP posts:
ExhaustedAndHormonal · 26/02/2018 00:25

We have it thro cms but direct pay.. Like I say I know he legally would. Have to pay etc and they can deduct it from earnings.
However he thinks the threat of 'no money' will make me force DS to. Go... Well not in a million years would that happen, make my DS unhappy for money!

OP posts:
ReanimatedSGB · 26/02/2018 00:39

Don't send him again. Your XP can go fuck himself. Your DS doesn't have to put up with a bullying dickhead. (There is no court order so the XP can't insist, or demand, or make a pest of himself).
Say to XP, DS doesn't want to see you for the moment, and it's fairly clear you don't want to see him either, and just leave it. remember this man is an obvious bully who shouldn't be indulged.

gluteustothemaximus · 26/02/2018 00:45

‘I wish you were my real dad’

Takes more than biology to be a dad. My DS1 has a different father. An abusive one. But DH has always been his Dad.

Let your boy make the decision for a break. Sensible lad. Feel very sorry for him. The way they spoke about him in front of him was awful. Back him up, listen to what he wants, that level of support he’ll never forget.

And good luck with baby x

ExhaustedAndHormonal · 26/02/2018 00:47

Thank you. I will always support him.. He knows that. X
Great help. Ladies.. I needed to rant too as well as the advice lol

OP posts:
llangennith · 26/02/2018 00:59

It’s really not that important to have a relationship with a dad who is so foul to him. Take the pressure off your DS and tell him he’ll be having a 3 month break from going there and after that it’s up to him.

ExhaustedAndHormonal · 06/03/2018 09:52

So an update. 9 days later his dad tried to call him. He rejected the call. Twice..
His dad then rang me. But I missed the call so when I saw it I txt and said. DS isn't ready to talk yet. He said. So he's punishing me for a fallout.
I said no but he didn't take too kindly to you saying ' about beating him to listen to you
He replied. Well it was heat of the moment

I said that's not good enough. You are an adult he is a child and its not acceptable..

He then text DS and said he was sorry and to go this weekend as he needs to collecr his mother's day gift for me and a gift for baby ( due tomorrow) DS replied. No its OK thanks I'm. Not ready yet and my step. Dad will take me to buy mum something this week.and even if I did come everyone else there I. E step mum and sister always but in when things have nothing to do with them and it's not fair
DS words were to me and do he's trying to bribe me and it won't work. And I'll go when I'm ready. Plus I want to see you on mother's day and hopefully the baby will be here.

OP posts:
ReanimatedSGB · 06/03/2018 09:57

Good for your DS, he sounds sensible and lovely. It is not in any child's best interests to be forced to have contact with a father who is abusive, so don't feel you have to push it at all. If your XP gets really tiresome, block him from contacting you. Your DS at 12 is old enough to say he doesn't want contact, and be listened to.

ExhaustedAndHormonal · 06/03/2018 10:00

Yeah I can block. His number if needed. DS I'm.not sure would as his dad does pay his contract / sim only thing. So I think he feels he has a loyalty of some kind not to.
I have said see how it goes and I'll do a sim only deal for him then he has no one to feel. He has to pander to. Iyswim.
Juts need to get this baby out and Concentrate on that sort of thing lol

OP posts:
daydreamnation · 06/03/2018 10:00

He's 12, let him decide as legally can.I personally would hope he never did overnights again, sounds awful for him.
My dc have a father, he's a mere shadow of a dad to them in comparison to my dh.
Shower your ds with love and support (I'm sure you do) being 12 is hard enough!

bluebell34567 · 06/03/2018 10:04

you mentioned DV when you separated from him. that's a red flag.
and his new threat is another flag. I don't think its safe for him to go there. also sm and ssis not giving peace and father not advising well not good.

bluebell34567 · 06/03/2018 10:06

your son sounds a clever boy.

IggyAce · 06/03/2018 10:09

Aww op your son sounds lovely and he can see thru his dad. Good luck with the baby.

bluebell34567 · 06/03/2018 10:13

yes, good luck with the baby.Smile

ExhaustedAndHormonal · 06/03/2018 10:14

Thank you. He does do the bare minimum to be called a 'dad' I don't want to say.. I don't want you to go.. But on the other hand the more I think about it the more I don't a want him to go. ( I know that sounds horrible)
I. Glad I've brought him up to speak his mind and try to be polite in how he says it ( doesn't walkways work. Out that way tho lol)
I think when baby is born he's gonna want to stay here with us anyway as he's a bit of a softie like that bless him..

OP posts:
GrowThroughWhatYouGoThrough · 06/03/2018 10:24

I believe from the age of 8 onwards a child can decide themselves if they want to visit/sleep over. In this situation I'd just go with the flow on what your son wants to do and support him like you have been doing