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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DP thinks I being pathetic

138 replies

Mar1984 · 30/09/2018 16:04

Small back story we have been together 18 months, engaged and wedding booked for early 2020. I have 3 DC and he has 2. Mine are with us all apart from every other weekend (2 nights)and we have his 50:50.
Last Xmas we went to his mums Boxing Day and she presented his DC with gifts and nothing for mine (For info his are 8 and 4 and mine are 15, 6 and 4), my younger D.C. were confused and a bit upset as they didn’t understand why they why they didn’t get anything esp as on Xmas day my mum had got them all equal amounts so no one was left out.
I told partner following this I wouldn’t be attending his mother over Xmas again and he could take his children alone to get there gifts and spend time there and he assured me he would talk to her and explain it’s not fair on the children for this to happen so wouldn’t do it again. Not sure if it matters but it’s not a money thing as they have ALOT and I get on really really well with them day to day and have a great relationship apart from this.
Today we went to visit and they had gotten back from holiday. They had no shame in presenting his DC with gifts in front of mine, weirdly they had bought a pen for my 15 year old but nothing for the younger 2 who were sat there. They then said they had some lip balm they found in a draw and gave my DC one each and DP children 1 each. When they left the room my 4 year old DS asked why he didn’t get a gift as he hadn’t been naughty which to be honest broke my heart (prob over the top but emotionally fragile at the moment).
I have again told him I will not be taking my children there at Xmas as it’s hirtful and if he isn’t willing to speak up then he can explain why we aren’t there. He says my children shouldn’t expect but they have been brought up that NO child is every excluded or left out and his are the most expecting I have ever met! They are only 4 and 6 so don’t think they are being grabby they just saw gifts and when my parents went away every child got exactly the same so why should they think this would be any different.
Am I being over sensitive? I am emotionally struggling at the moment and have a lot on my plate so want everyone’s perspective on this

OP posts:
ThanksHunkyJesus · 30/09/2018 21:13

Your "d"p sounds like a twat. Id wonder why you're settling for someone who doesn't give a shiny shit if your children are upset and hurt by this.

Everyoneiswingingit · 30/09/2018 21:13

They are not their grandchildren and in only 18mths they would not feel the same way about them. If I was you I would explain to your chn that they get presents from their own grandparents so not to expect anything.I would get your DP to visit them for gifts etc separately.

JillyArmeeen · 30/09/2018 21:15

My exs mum was similar, massive pile of presents for ss, one little present for my ds. It did grate a little especially as my mum treated both boys the same.
To be honest part of my discomfort with it was embarrassment for her, how tight and petty she looked.
Anyway, the relationship was similar too, moved way too quick including engagement.
As it turned out I didn't know him well enough at all, and once I did get to know the real him I didn't like what I saw.
Ending an engagement was one of the most horrible and embarrassing experiences of my life.
But better than the alternative which is being married to a man you don't know, don't share values with.
From experience op, I would advise you to slow this relationship right down and postpone the wedding.
I can't imagine bringing my son to my boyfriend of six months for Christmas.
I know how things can sweep along because I've been there.
But with the benefit of hindsight I can see that it's a really stupid thing to do. I won't be making the same mistakes twice.

PrickWhittington · 30/09/2018 21:16

mygrandchildrenrock - What a shame not everyone is as wise and as caring as you sound Flowers

No one is suggesting that this woman spends the same amount on the OP's DC, where is the harm in buying a token gift for them to stop them feeling left out? I would do that if necessary for the sake of two children's feelings, AND for my son's, even if I couldn't stand his DP for whatever reason.

Gemini69 · 30/09/2018 21:18

OP this is an awful situation... how could anyone do that to children and to their faces.. not just once but twice now... I'd be absolutely incandescent with rage if someone treated my children so spitefully..

I'd not be in their company ever again... see how they enjoy not attending the Wedding Flowers

birdonawire1 · 30/09/2018 21:24

Agree to go but buy your 3 presents, wrapped and labelled from gran and grandpa (or whatever they call themselves), give them to his parents and say I want you to give my children these presents so they don’t feel left out in the day.

2 birds with one stone. They will be gift shamed and your 3 will have presents. It’s just about the biggest hint you can drop.

ManorGreyhound · 30/09/2018 21:25

you are seriously suggesting OP not get into a relationship until her Children have left home!!

Its not something I would do, purely because this situation (or something very similar) is highly likely to occur. Have a casual partner for sure, but moving in with someone else? Marrying them? I just think so fraught that its probably best avoided.

When you have DCs, they need to be your priority until they have left home - and thereafter tbh, but some balance is needed I think.

Irrespective of my feelings on this subject, does it really sound to you that this is a good plan for OP and her DCs? She's mentally fragile, has only known this man for 18 months, there are 5DCs involved and she's planning a wedding? Really?

That's even glossing over the huge red flag that he is not taking her concerns about her DC's happiness seriously.

This is going to end so badly, and there are a lot of young lives and feelings involved.

PrickWhittington · 30/09/2018 21:25

The fact that you have had to ask him to speak to his mum speaks volumes. He should have been equally upset/embarrassed the first time it happened and dealt with it.

That, in a nutshell. He sounds uncaring and mean, and it isn't hard to see where he got it from either. All the other stuff you say he says for your DC's is all well and good, but it's his basic values you should be looking at, and you're getting an early warning of them here - I'd ignore that with huge caution.

AnoukSpirit · 30/09/2018 21:25

But the real, much bigger problem is that you are engaged to marry a man who doesn’t support you, criticises your parenting and thinks your 4 year old is somehow grabby. These are not the sort of views that a good father, stepfather or husband would hold. He is not a catch.

It's clever how they've got you thinking what a great match this is by telling you you've transformed him, and how wonderful you are compared to the evil ex. It's an extremely manipulative and worrying approach to take with a new partner, that you usually only see when people are trying to stop somebody from listening to their instincts about the little niggly "off" things going on around them.

I take no issue with blended families, but I do find it troubling that you seem to have been swept off your feet and are being rushed headlong into a marriage without time to step back and evaluate things clearly - especially with everything else going on. It comes across like they're trying to get you tied down before you have a moment to really know them or make any alternative choices.

If you didn't have people spinning you this beautiful web of the fabulous future you'll all have together, and pressuring you to have this rushed, extravagant wedding, do you think you'd react differently to the idea of legally joining yourself to a family who have repeatedly mistreated your children, blamed the young children for the distress they experienced as a result, and completely disregarded and disrespected you on it all?

You're their mother, and instead of taking on board your concerns you were told that you were wrong and it was actually the failing of a four year old child. That's so disrespectful. Somebody who loves you would listen and respect you.

In any other circumstance, would that make you want to slow things down? Slowing down doesn't mean giving up, or not being committed if that's your concern in saying you'd like that to happen.

If you're the perfect match everyone is saying, then there's no need to hurry, is there? You'll be together regardless, with time to establish boundaries and respect. Time to ensure your children aren't knowingly hurt and then blamed. Time to make sure there's nothing to make you need to come and ask us if you're being oversensitive or if there is something truly wrong.

What would happen if you asked for the wedding to be brought back under your own control, and to take place at a future date once all these issues are comfortably ironed out, and you don't have so much to deal with in your life?

It's your life, you're allowed to be the one in control of it.

Queenofthedrivensnow · 30/09/2018 21:28

Yanbu it should be all or none you are a family now.

Italiangreyhound · 30/09/2018 21:32

Mar1984 you have an awful lot on your plate. I am so sorry this is an added thing. If you can manage to go with your dp and speak to his parents together I think it would put your mind at rest that he really does get it and she really does get it too (or her husband if he is part of the equation).

Good luck. (you are 100% right). Thanks

ThanksHunkyJesus · 30/09/2018 21:32

Absolutely everything AnoukSpirit said.

If you were paying for a cheap registry office do yourself, would you persist in this idea you must marry him in view of his actions? Is all the money his family gave you putting pressure on you?

Presumably you didn't ask for the money so if it gets wasted it's you cancelling the wedding, it's not your fault. It's yours and your children's lives. You should only marry someone who enhances your children's lives, who loves and cares for them and would do anything rather than see them hurt. You need to ask yourself why they're all so keen for you to move so quickly in shackling yourself to someone you barely know?

Italiangreyhound · 30/09/2018 21:36

and her husband...

PrickWhittington · 30/09/2018 21:37

Have a casual partner for sure

I hear what you are saying manor - but having a 'casual partner' can be easier said than done. Who's paying the babysitter when you're spending time with this casual partner? How do you find someone who is willing to accept so little from you? How do you stop feelings developing, attachment forming?

It's easy to see that black and white from the safety of a happy marriage, not quite so when you do find yourself single, for whatever reason. It is human nature to want intimacy, companionship and meaningful romantic relationships.

I personally have now decided it is easier to stay single until my DC's are all grown up, if not forever, BUT that is mainly because I know I tend to be attracted to the wrong men, not because I think step-families or blended families could never work. That just isn't true, as others on here have testified.

suzy2b · 30/09/2018 21:51

for 6 years my daughter had 3 stepchildren starting at twins of 6 and a 5 year old , i didnt treat those children any different to my daughter own child i'm still in touch with them 6 yrs after they left

garethsouthgatesmrs · 30/09/2018 21:53

ManorGreyhound just to add another perspective, my mum stayed single throughout my whole childhood from her divorce when I was 9. I always wished she would meet someone. I wanted to feel that she was loved and looked after as I approached leaving home age. I didn't like to think of her on her own. The idea that all kids suffer from second marriages is just a falsehood, many benefit from a wider blended and extended family and most benefit (perhaps without knowing it ) from the peace of mind that their parents are not alone.

Rory786 · 30/09/2018 22:00

OP, really think if you want to marry this man. He should have more empathy for your little ones....

lolarose896 · 30/09/2018 22:01

You are not being Unreasonable!! Fuck that- no one needs that in life.
I have been that child and it is horrible and your children will never forget how they have treated them!
My SM's mother always resented me for some strange reason and never bought me presents or cards or even spoke to me really but showered my half sister in thousands of pounds worth of gifts. I was 2 y/o when I met her so lord knows what her problem was. I have nothing to do with her now thank god.
I think it was because her daughter was only 19 and she probably thought she was too young to be taking care of a child that wasn't her own but my dad and step mum are still together 24 years later and the mother is still a bitch to me but lovely to all of her real grandchildren.

irunlikeahipoo · 30/09/2018 22:05

Just wait till you have a kid together
That’s when you will really notice the difference in how they treat the blood grandchildren and your own DC

hanbanbea · 30/09/2018 22:18

Really feel for you here, you're working extra hard to help your children through a new phase and other folk are making them feel bad.

Some thoughts which I think may be at play here:
-Your timeline is your own, 18 months is not too short a timeline to be where you are with your partner (If it feels rights), but:
-It may be harder for other people to transition in that time (such as your MiL, however:
-On Christmas day, anyone would know to get a little something for all kids. If you're getting something for some, get something for all.

I had a similar experience with MIL, my main rule now is to look after myself and my child whilst offering fair opportunities for her to be involved too. For example, we don't visit at Christmas now. We stay at home but offer for anyone to come who would like to visit. They don't, but that's their choice. And we have a wonderful Christmas :)

It was a bit of a stressful journey but totally worth it. Also worth adding that my partner wasn't able to do a lot of head-on challenge of the MiL and we would argue over it. The solution was not demanding him to do something but being firm with my own boundaries, like you have been regarding not going to MiL for Christmas. Over time it's felt better as in retrospect, I think the direct approach may have been counter productive.

LannieDuck · 30/09/2018 22:39

YANBU. I wouldn't take the kids over to her house again until DP had said something. If he won't, the kids don't go.

It's one thing giving his children xmas/holiday gifts when your kids aren't around. It's something else entirely to do it in front of them.

ChocolateOrIDie · 30/09/2018 22:52

No you are right it's unfair on your kids.

Doingreat · 01/10/2018 07:06

Op your partner sounds lovely however lacks a backbone wrt to tackling his mother. I like hanbanbea's advice upthread that you stop asking him to speak to his mother and just reiterate your own boundaries i.e, That you won't be spending xmas at hers. A loving partner will respect that.

RhiWrites · 01/10/2018 07:18

I find this “they shouldn’t expect” comment really annoying.

Okay, fine, they should expect a present. But they should expect to be treated fairly. That’s why they’re hurt and confused by the lack of present. Because children have a very strong sense of justice.

If this guy can’t see that himself then he’s not the right partner for you.

RhiWrites · 01/10/2018 07:19

That ought to read ‘shouldn’t expect a present’. Sigh.