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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Do I cut ties with my dad?

20 replies

Mytype · 21/10/2018 21:55

Hi!
It’s a long story but basically my dad lives 5 hours away with his wife and she has 2 kids and 2 grandkids. My dad basically has his own life down there which I accept although it’s hard especially since having my son.
We’ve had a few discussions where all iv asked for is more effort towards me and my son. Just to feel like he cares and we are not always second best/pushed aside.
He normally Skypes once a week and today would of been the first time Skyping since our discussion. He messaged in the morning and asked what time is best and I explained 4:30 ish. 6:30pm comes by and I hear nothing and he finally tries to skype. But my son was in bed this time and I explained that this was what I was talking about effort etc to which he said he is drunk.
Iv just had enough of asking my dad for love/ to feel cared about when he doesn’t listen and blames me for everything.
I see him 3 times a year. He was meant to be coming down this month but he can’t now because of money (which I understand) but less than a week ago he took his step daughter and two kids on holiday?

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RickOShay · 21/10/2018 22:13

That’s sounds so hurtful. My dad has no interest on my dc, it’s really hard. Have you got other support?
Flowers

Mytype · 21/10/2018 22:15

Iv got my mum and step dad and partner around me thank you. They are all supporting me.. my brother has cut my dad out for 3 years because of the same reason. 💕

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RickOShay · 21/10/2018 22:17

What do they say?
My gut instinct is to say he is the loser here, as painful as it is for you, he is honestly the one who has his priorities all wrong.
Try to focus on your lovely family.
Flowers

LordNibbler · 21/10/2018 22:26

The hardest lesson you'll have to learn here is that you can't make people be who you want them to be. You have to accept the truth of who they actually are. It's so hard, your parents are supposed to be the closest people to you though life, to teach you, care for you, be there when you need them and most importantly to accept you for who you are and just love you for being you. Sadly some parents don't have the capacity or desire to be that. And you must not see it as a reflection of yourself, or that it's your fault in any way at all. Perhaps you might try stepping back. See what he actually offers without you asking. And then decide if you want to accept it.
I do speak through experience, and after years of fighting for the attention and love I needed I realised it wasn't going to be forthcoming. Once I accepted that it was like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. It wasn't my fault. I tried 100%. But I knew when to walk away and accept the situation for what it was.

Mytype · 21/10/2018 22:27

They say the exact same as you! That his priorities are all wrong. To make it worse his wife has just messaged me to say maybe I need to accept the person he is? I’m just baffled! Thank you for your kind words 💕💕

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penisbeakers · 21/10/2018 22:27

He's not going to make any effort, I'd just give up and cut contact. He's clearly a waste of space.

Mytype · 21/10/2018 22:30

Thank you, I’m beginning to accept that I can’t change how he is and the fact he treats his family down there like his actual family and I’m left out. I feel like it would hurt if I walked away but not as much as it hurts when he lets me down/doesn’t make the effort. Time is a healer. 💕

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ellendegeneres · 21/10/2018 22:33

I’d message back ‘You’re his wife, not mine. My relationship with him and his failings as a father isn’t something I’m going to discuss with you.’

Mytype · 21/10/2018 22:35

Honestly I can’t believe she has the nerve to message me something like that!

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GooseLose · 21/10/2018 22:38

I had a major falling out with my father after my baby was born, he just wasn’t that bothered and some other things happened in the family that put a lot of strain on the relationship. We ended up no contact for a few years, not long after a similar conversation to yours, his choice to blank me although he blames me and there was/is hurt on both sides. Our situations aren’t the same but you may end up where I am in the long run. I’ve realised my dad doesn’t have it in him to be a great or even average dad/grandad.

My mother managed his behaviour when she was alive (e.g. remembering our birthdays, congratulating us for important things) and I didn’t realise how much of a role she played until she was gone.

I have now reconciled to the fact that he cannot be the father I want him to be. He will let me down. He shows very little interest in me or my son and concentrates his energy on his new wife. They recently recounted joyfully how lovely it was to have (her) grandkids jump into bed with them when staying over with her daughter recently. That sort of thing used to be a lot harder for me to hear. It took a long time for me to come to terms with who he is with but maybe it’s where you have to get to? The old thing of when people show you who they are, believe them? He may not change.

Like you, I live far away and he makes no effort to visit. He has not been to my new house - I’ve lived there for 6 years. He has had multiple holidays to see his new wife’s family and they live abroad.

I have learned to really value the people who make an effort for me, be they friends or family, when you think about things clearly you can determine who the really good people in your life are and they are the people you need to spend your energy on. I often go ‘back home’ but never stay with my dad, we as a family go to an old school friend who is now like an aunt to my boy. It works out better for all. My dad would make it an unhappy experience if we stayed, my friend loves us coming, we fill her home and we all have a great time, we all choose to spend Christmas and holidays together these days. We share a lot of love and care. One door closed when my son was born and others, particularly this one, opened.

In answer to your question, I would say to you, don’t cut ties, but learn to care less and put in something close to what you get out. If he doesn’t call at the right time, don’t answer, if he doesn’t visit, so what. Expect less, spend energy on those who do care for you and your child. Move on and leave him behind if that is where he wants to be, you can’t force him to be what you think he should be and trying to will make you both unhappy.

LordNibbler · 21/10/2018 22:40

Maybe she didn't message you out of spite. Maybe she was actually trying to give you good advice. You don't know what he's actually like to live with, how he is with her and her family. Maybe she sees a side to him others dont, and she was trying to help you. I could be wrong, but it's a thought. Flowers

RickOShay · 21/10/2018 22:40

Read LordNibblers post again. She is absolutely spot on.
This is not you, it’s him. Flowers

GooseLose · 21/10/2018 22:40

Oh and as for his wife, I agree with others, politely remind her that this is your relationship with your dad and she needs to keep out of it!

MacosieAsunter · 21/10/2018 22:44

I shall be shot down in a ball of MN flames , and of course some one will trot out the wife work quote, but in reality, women drive relationships. If you want to see more of your father, make a friend of his wife.

TBH, he has a new wife. They are his family too. Plenty of people on here will tell you that no distinctions should be made between blood and step children . Presumably wife wanted to go on holiday with her child and grandchildren, as he's married to her, of course he's going to go on holiday with them - and that is utterly irrelevant to his relationship with you.

GooseLose · 21/10/2018 22:48

@Macosie to some extent I agree with you, but if the Op builds the relationship with the wife to facilitate her having a relationship with dad then to some extent it’s only happening because someone else is making it happen and the truth behind it is he wouldn’t be that bothered himself. I would know and resent this personally. Not saying that it’s wrong but it wouldn’t be for me.

WhitePhantom · 21/10/2018 22:53

I agree with everything Nibbler said.

It sounds like his wife is advising you that this is just how he is - not out of badness but out of kindness.

Mytype · 21/10/2018 22:54

Thank you that really sounds like my relationship with my dad. He puts all his effort into his wife and her grandkids seeing pictures all the time. But I agree I need to care less and concentrate on my own family. Thank you

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MacosieAsunter · 21/10/2018 22:55

@Goose - you only have to read this board to see the wives are the controllers in relationships - they decided who can visit, how often, etc etc - so make a friend of the Steps and things will improve.

All the other POVs are somewhat confrontational - ie telling the SM to keep her beak out of the barely existent father/daughter relationship.

Mytype · 21/10/2018 22:57

I get his wife is trying to help. But everyone is different but effort is a choice and I can’t accept his effort or shall I say lack of effort. And I totally understand the holiday thing and I have no resentment for him going on holiday with them I was happy to see him happy. My point is he had planned to visit before this holiday and he has let me and my son down because of money but paid for this holiday? This is what makes me feel sad.

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Mytype · 21/10/2018 22:59

@macosie I am friends with his wife and children. I have no issue with them what so ever and we sometimes message. My dads efforts should not come from his wife. I’m asking my dad for more effort and not to feel pushed out 💕

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