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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To tell ex I having kids Christmas again

18 replies

Mar1984 · 06/09/2018 13:01

So Exh and I divorced last year following mediation for kids we had some things in place such as we both take it turns to take days off work I’d DC are ill, I buy all the day to day stuff, school clubs and pay for childcare he pays me a minimal amount as I earn more. He was to buy school shoes and coats for new school year as deemed an additional expense ( he agreed this) and half of actual school trips!
In a year he has refused to take a single day off for 2 DC even when one was in hospital for 3 days, took his GF away for the weekend and ‘forgot’ to budget for school coats/ shoes so I had to buy last min. He hasn’t come to a single parents evenin, never phoned or asks after them even said if I didn’t send everything including a packed lunch for a camping trip for DC1 he wouldn’t take him- despite me buying everything needed as the day he goes it on his dads weekend. He has them 2 nights every other weekend but apart from that refuses to communicate and has no interest.
DC are noticing this more and more and while are still young they know here minds and while I was discussing work at Xmas with partner have said they want to sleep here Xmas eve and see daddy Xmas day as last year. As much as I promote there relationship with there dad and NEVER slag him off with them around I feel actually why should he get the nice parts of parenthood when he checks out of everyday life and makes no effort and doesn’t stick hmto what’s agreed. If you can’t even visit or take a day off when your sons in hospital as was agreed in the divorce why should you have the holidays when both don’t want to be there!!!
I know I will be flamed but I feel I do everything (which as I parent I should) but then don’t get the special days with them and he does nothing and does! I am not saying he can’t see them but he collects them in the afternoon as last year.

OP posts:
CripsSandwiches · 06/09/2018 13:03

I would go with DC's wishes in this case. Since he's disregarded the agreements you made in mediation maybe it's time to come up with a new agreement in writing.

SometimesMaybe · 06/09/2018 13:05

It’s hard and YNBU given his lack of effort to want him to get the good times.
Rather than having to do year about could you ask ex round for an hour or two on Xmas morning to see them open their presents. Or have the DC in the morning (the best bit) then send them to your Ex at 3pm and enjoy some adult time, cheese and fizz with your partner?

DutifulDaughterWifeMother · 06/09/2018 13:07

Definitely sounds like you need to go through mediation again & go with the children’s preference. After all if he continues this way they will soon be more & more vocal and not want anything to do with their father. X

Singlenotsingle · 06/09/2018 13:11

When my lo was a lo (he's a bo now!) I used to have him every Christmas day until 3, then his df would collect him and bring him home at 10. It worked very well.

Mar1984 · 06/09/2018 13:24

I am not saying no to Xmas day I am saying collect them in the afternoon and keep them till Boxing Day if he wishes but I believe they should be with me and they want too. Every time they have to go to his my 5 year gets so upset and doesn’t want to go and even with his dad at the door doesn’t want to as he feels daddy is all about his bigger brother and doesn’t do stuff with them or play

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Bluebell878275 · 06/09/2018 13:45

Your ex sounds like a dick, however, I wish people would stop this attitude that having Christmas with their children is some kind of reward for parenting during the year.

I'd go with your children's feelings on this situation.

Bluebell878275 · 06/09/2018 13:46

Christmas Day I meant to say.

Witchofwisteria · 06/09/2018 14:11

I'm confused do the kids want to be with your ex or you on Christmas day? You first said they wanted to be with their Dad in the OP then in your reply at 13:11 you said "but I believe they should be with me and they want too."

OutPinked · 06/09/2018 14:15

Sounds fair enough to me. My exh is similar to yours, we separated four years ago and he’s never had them for Christmas Eve. We split Christmas Day in half and he drops them back Boxing Day (his choice). I just say if he can’t make the effort the rest of the year, why should Christmas be any different?

Mar1984 · 06/09/2018 17:09

Sorry if I worded it wrong My youngest (5) wants to be with me and his brother (8) wants to be with this little brother

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allieatispizza · 06/09/2018 17:14

I have every Christmas, the ex gets Boxing Day. The ex doesn't like it, but tough. My DC do not want to leave the house on Christmas Day, they want to play with their toys, and be with the family.

Stick by what your kids want, your ex can host a second Christmas on Boxing Day.

pallisers · 06/09/2018 17:15

I'd do what your children want. If he was a good engaged father I might try to persuade them that they'd have a good time at daddy's in the interests of fairness but not in your situation. children aren't stupid. They know when someone is truly engaged in their lives and when someone is ticking a box. then they vote with their feet.

bastardkitty · 06/09/2018 17:17

I can't think of worse advice than 'you need to do mediation again'. Mediation is not in any way binding and there is zero point in doing it again with someone who has been through it once and disregarded the agreements. I would let him know what the Xmas arrangements will be because that's what the DCs would like. When he responds saying and no citing mediation, send him a list of all the agreements he made in the best interests of the DCs and has broken. I feel for you. What a dickhead.

HollowTalk · 06/09/2018 17:19

It's not that having the children on Christmas Day is a reward, it's the fact that some people are utter bastards who treat their kids badly all year but want them there on special days. I don't think that's fair at all.

allieatispizza · 06/09/2018 18:25

Hollow it's probably also because they want those days to show off... palm off the DCs on the wider family....avoid the awkward questions re where are your DCs. Absolutely nothing to do with actually wanting them on them on those days - agree with other posters, the kids pick up on that ... and will vote with their feet.

HollowTalk · 06/09/2018 20:49

I agree with you there - it's a showing off exercise. It's like buying your child a huge present (which has to be kept at the dad's house) and pasting pictures all over social media about it, while not paying any maintenance.

bastardkitty · 06/09/2018 21:10

Very much so. Photos all over Facebook. Blah blah blah. And onto another year of hardly bothering at all.

Mar1984 · 06/09/2018 21:18

He does this too bought them I pads posted it all over Facebook but they are not allowed them here so can use them 2 days every fortnight

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