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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Aibu to expect more from bd?

20 replies

Amibu1989 · 06/09/2018 15:19

So. Please don't judge.

Me and BF broke up when I was 4 1/2 mths pregnant. It was horrible. Name calling, slut shaming, social exclusion and down right evil emotional harassment soon followed. Pretending we weren't ended, trying to bust into the birthroom when he was told specifically not to go there and wait outside the ward (my entire family was told the same thing FYI).

Anyway. After DB was born he did everything to get out of signing the BC until I had to register blank or cop a fine. So, to be clear, this guy is not on BC. He started spreading talk about how I was screwing other guys and had told him I didn't know who DB's father was. Every time I tried to get him on BC to try and get CS going the harassment went through the roof bad.

When confronted he always denied it was his fault and that I should just "prove myself". So I did. Definitely DB dad. Still refusing to go on BC because in his words "you're nothing but a gold digger". Pls remember this is male has paid $0 for my son's upbringing. He wouldn't even take time off work after he was born, after swearing he would. Didn't show up for Christmas or Easter or DB 1st birthday.

Anyway. My DB is now no longer a screaming monster miniature and has become more interesting as his personality has started growing outside of "feed me, change me, burp me, cuddle me, wrap me up but don't you dare move".

BD has suddenly become increasingly interested in him. He wants to parade him around at parties and social gatherings and is like "look at DB he's such an awesome happy boy and he's mine". He wants me to travel 1600km round trip to his mother because "she has a right to see her GS regularly" (no he didn't offer to cover 1/2 the $$) He wants to spend more time with DB, because "he knows his rights".

In therory I am not against this. If it is regular, consistent and above all safe for my DB. BD wants to see him when he can fit him in around his work and social duties as he sees fit because he has a full time job, I don't and he thinks that I have plenty of time and that I'm being a control freak and trying to hurt him by denying him access.

He has not been able to see DB regularly for more than three weeks in a row. He doesn't have a house or a flat just a company sponsored caravan that is falling apart and filthy. He doesn't supply food for DB on visits, or nappies because "I don't get to see him enough" that he should have to provide. The last time BD was left with DB, me being absent, his mother was visiting and they took DB to the pool without asking first, they didn't even tell where they were going. Just wondered off and dunked him in the pool because it was a hot day and they thought he should learn to swim soon.

He doesn't think about DB first. It's always "oh yeah I've got to go and do this for a mate/boss/person I'll just see him next day or day before at this time". Or "Let's go do this with the little baby because it would be fun for me" or "hey I want to see him at 6pm cause I can fit him in" even though he knows that I'm getting DB ready for bed.

The agreement was half of the day off he has every week. That way BD has time to wake up, do chores, see DB and then relax for half a day. The problem is he doesn't stick to it. He wants an hour or two every other day and it's really irregular. I'm finishing the renovations on my house, studying for a new job, keeping house for my dad, and running DB where he's got to go when he needs to, not to mention keeping DB occupied clean and fed. Then there's the housework. And the garden that needs to be put in. So every time he throws a spanner into the schedule it throws the entire week out.

It's as annoying AF for me but I really worry what the randomness will do to my DB as he's becoming more aware of this kind of thing. I missed one babycare session (we live remote so all the bubbas have babycare with mummas to socialise them three days a week in the mornings) and he was cranky for the rest of the week. He recognises people now and if he doesn't get time with them when he expects it he gets out of sorts.

I know that DB needs to have a connection to BD because kids need to know their history and have a connection to the relations but should it be like this? Is it ok because he has a paying job and I don't? Am I letting my underlying feelings for BD get in the way of my DB needs? Is it ok for this much randomness in DB life? Am I being a judgmental control freak, a spiteful leech? Does anyone out there get what I'm asking?

AIBU to ask that BD is consistent and regular about visits? Like the same morning on the same day every week? Am I really asking too much that BD does this? I just need to know if this kind of reaction is normal because I don't know anymore. So pls, I'm going out of my mind trying to figure it out, pls pls tell me. Is this common? Am I asking too much? Does every ex act like this or is this one the outlier?

OP posts:
Medea13 · 06/09/2018 16:01

What are BD and DB meant to denote?

lovelilies · 06/09/2018 16:02

Baby daddy and darling baby I'm assuming?

AveABanana · 06/09/2018 16:03

Baby daddy and darling baby?

lovelilies · 06/09/2018 16:04

How old is your DS? Are you in the UK?

Giantsquid · 06/09/2018 16:05

Baby daddy is unreasonable enough. Child’s father is fine.

ButtermilkBiscuits · 06/09/2018 16:05

What do the acronyms mean? BD? DB?

curlies · 06/09/2018 16:08

I wouldn't even give him the time of day.

Taylor22 · 06/09/2018 16:12

Where are you from?
America? Are you in a 50/50 state?
What is the distance between your residence and his?
What is your state standard?

nicebitofquiche · 06/09/2018 16:23

I don't know what you mean because I can't understand what bd etc means

wowfudge · 06/09/2018 16:26

I take it to mean Biological Dad and Dear Baby. Does it matter though - pretty clear who is who?

If you can't reach an agreement between you, what are the options? I think I'd present that as worst case scenario then try to agree something regular which works for you both. And for the sake of your child neither of you bad mouths the other - doesn't matter that you haven't, it's just a line in the sand for his behaviour.

JellyBaby666 · 06/09/2018 16:33

If he wants to parent your child, he needs to be financially contributing and showing up, I wouldn't go into this agreement without it being through family court. He's put you through enough, you're allowing this abusive controlling man more control.

CloudCaptain · 06/09/2018 16:33

I'd make him go through the courts for contact, which he won't do. Problem solved. He sounds like a waste of space. Also don't bother facilitating anything with him, after all he's not on the birth certificate.

Zucker · 06/09/2018 16:36

NONONONONONONONONO No Baby flippin Daddy on Mumsnet Shock

What does this mean?
we live remote so all the bubbas have babycare with mummas to socialise them three days a week in the mornings

NotTakenUsername · 06/09/2018 16:38

YANBU.
Yanbu to expect more of mn either... 12 responses and only 1/2 with any real support or advice. Hmm

It doesn’t sound like you are in the uk so it’s hard for many of us to give you solid advice.

From a moral point of view though, expecting your child’s father to be consistent and reliable is not an unreasonable thing to demand:

NotTakenUsername · 06/09/2018 16:39

Ah, sucker tips the scales 7:6.
Nice.

LeroyJenkins · 06/09/2018 16:42

He wants me to travel 1600km round trip to his mother because "she has a right to see her GS regularly
well if she wants to see him, then why cant she come to see him?

missed one babycare session (we live remote so all the bubbas have babycare with mummas to socialise them three days a week in the mornings) and he was cranky for the rest of the week. He recognises people now and if he doesn't get time with them when he expects it he gets out of sorts.
How old is the baby? this seems a bit..... weird? how does a baby expect to see people/ spend time with them
I get that routine is good, but how will you manage when things do change?

Again - are you in the UK?

wowfudge · 06/09/2018 16:42

It's really shitty that some posters feel the need to make snarky comments rather than posting anything helpful.

peachgreen · 06/09/2018 16:44

We can't really give advice on your legal position but personally if he's not on the birth certificate, he's not contributing financially, he's not reliable and he certainly doesn't sound like a good influence or solid father figure, I wouldn't want him to have anything to do with my baby.

NotUmbongoUnchained · 06/09/2018 16:47

Obviously op means baby daddy and dear baby.
If you can’t figure that out perhaps youre not smart enough to be offering advice.

Caroelle · 06/09/2018 17:04

How old is your child? Children need consistency and stability. Can your child’s father provide this? Is he safe in his care? This is what you need to be asking yourself and the father.

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