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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

About this petty father's Day gift from his ex?

374 replies

Alaurable97 · 13/06/2019 18:53

Hey so I'm really sorry if this is the wrong board, I kinda know I've been a bit naughty and I shouldn't have poked my nose in, but I did. My bad.

Anyway my partner's ex is not the nicest, I really don't like the way she treats my partner but hey I guess that's why they split up.

My partner bought her lovely mother's Day gifts, pandora charm, flowers and more (I'm not 100% sure, I didn't delve into asking him but was there with him when he bought the other two).

He works upwards of 60 hours a week, we have an 11 week old baby and on his only 2 days off we have his child from their relationship. She's only little bless her so of course she is very full on wanting to play (which is totally fine by us) but of course he doesn't get a break from work or the kids given the amount of hours he works to be able to support us and pay the huge amount of child maintenance he pays.

Anyways, I digress. A couple of mornings when he was supposed to get her, his alarm didn't go off because his phone did this weird thing all of a sudden where it turned itself off despite being charged.

I 100% understand her frustration because she had to get to work but I thought she'd be a little understanding given his situation. He was really apologetic to her and admitted to me that it was awful he wasn't there to collect her.

Anyways, for his birthday and Xmas she has bought him the same top x4 (2 each occasion) and I got a bit nosey and peeked in the gift bag she had given him to see if she'd done the same for father's Day and she has bought him an alarm clock!!!! I'm guessing this is relating to the two times his alarm didn't go off and he has now fixed the issue with his phone.

Am I being unreasonable to think this is petty and unkind? Despite the way she treats him he is always reasonable with her and I think that's just darnright spiteful of her.

Now I'm wondering, do I prewarn him? It's our sons first father's Day with him and I know he is going to be hurt and upset, I don't want his day to be ruined. I can really see that does his best for their child and in my mind nothing says 'you are a crap father' more than this gift!

I am dreading him opening his gift from her, I've gone and bought 11 gifts from our son to compensate but I don't think it's going to conceal the fact that his ex wants to upset him.

She is always doing things to belittle him and make him feel like crap but I think this is too far. What do you guys think?

Again, I know I was naughty to peek. Very nosey indeed.

OP posts:
FishGingers · 14/06/2019 22:32

In fact I also gave my ex an alarm clock, but it was my old one. He also is clueless how to use modern technology and the alarm on his phone.

Sb74 · 14/06/2019 22:37

Maybe the alarm clock is a gift for you op so that you can wake up to the situation? I get that they buy presents for each other from the kids but pandora bracelet is a bit much. Either he has feelings for his ex still or he cheated on her with you and feels guilty?? Either way not great. Anyway sounds like you’re a bit insecure and subservient to your dh? All sounds bonkers and strange.

Lizzie48 · 14/06/2019 22:45

The OP is American, as I recall. They do tend to be OTT with Mother's Day (in May) and Father's Day, and they give everyone gifts on Valentine's Day. It might be a British/American difference? The Pandora's bracelet does sound too much, even so.

Either way, the OP isn't coming back to answer our questions.

manicmij · 14/06/2019 23:44

Perhaps the alarm clock gift is meant to have a bit of humour involved, he slept in due to his phone, go back to the stone age and get a reliable clock! You are being oversensitive as well as being nosey.

di2004 · 14/06/2019 23:57

You bought him 11 gifts to compensate! Who are you trying to impress?
For goodness sake get a grip and stop making a mountain out of a mole hill over Father’s Day - a card is enough!

patq1967 · 15/06/2019 00:21

if it your ex why buy them anything

Peacocking · 15/06/2019 02:04

Your best bet is to roar with laughter when he opens it, laugh ever time its mentioned and kindly and gently joke about it. Also joke that this means gift war going forward. If you appear to find it deeply amusing, hopefully he can too and it'll be a non issue.

CountryGirl1234 · 15/06/2019 09:39

Firstly YANBU!
Hugely OTT for a Pandora Bracelet, but maybe he has some guilt. Maybe he’s trying at all costs to be civil so he can maintain some sort of a relationship and that’s the only way he can show it. I don’t think it’s bad and OP you have no issues with it, so I’m assuming you know the reasons why and are happy with that.

I think your trying to protect his feelings, that’s why you peeked. So fair play to you for being a decent human, but now your in a pickle. I think your right, you can’t over compensate.
If she chooses to be cruel to him then maybe she just needs to express that to make her feel better, can you not buy a gift from his daughter? Call her and say you have seen something lovely and would she like it for daddy for Father’s Day? May enrage mum but help save his feelings, or maybe it’s just what he needs to help move on from this extravagant gift buying and just return to some normality and help free him of the guilt he feels and trying to please her despite her behaviour

PeppyPiggy · 15/06/2019 14:35

You sound strange

jwpetal · 15/06/2019 15:24

He is the father to another child and is his responsibility. She has their child and relied on the child's father to collect on his day. His bad. He is an adult and not a baby. He fathered the children so he has the responsibility to man up and do it.

I am concerned about your opinion of his responsibility. That he should be babied and felt sorry for because he is working so much. He made decisions and now he is living up to his responsibilities. If his father's day is ruined because of a present then he has forgotten what father's day is. A time to be appreciated and loved by his children and that will only happen if he is there with them. All other bits, such as a clock, are nothing.

Alaurable97 · 15/06/2019 17:29

Back to address a few points, clearly some of you use mumsnet to enjoy a bit of speculation and drama. If that's your thing, watch Eastenders or something idk.

I am flabbergasted and slightly amused by some of the theories you have all come up with here!

Firstly, I am NOT the other woman. I never have been and have already stated that we hadn't even met until a year after they split.

To those who are shaming him for having left whilst his other child was so young, he had actually told the ex that he was unhappy before the child was even conceived but his ex claimed she was just grouchy because she was itching to be a mum and that everything would be perfect once she had a baby. He carries a lot of guilt for leaving when his daughter was young, and that's about all he has guilt about.

The ex in question has always expected a lot of him. She breastfed DSC and despite him working full time she would make him wake up with her in the night while she breastfed their baby. He couldn't feed her, but was expected to wake up every two hours despite going to work for 12 hours a day. I also bf my baby and do not expect him to get up at all because he is working and there is simply no point in him waking up to watch me breastfeed.

When he split from her, she said that she still wanted him to pay half of the mortgage, half of their bills, spending money etc and she took two months of his full income (barring car insurance, petrol etc) whilst he stayed at his mums with no money for himself whatsoever. Obviously he explained it was impossible for him to get his own place if he paid that much.

The matter never went to court, he just agreed to pay the amount.

I'm not providing a list of gifts, you all need go grow up and take your popcorn elsewhere if you like a drama.

I dont even know why I am explaining myself, i just wanted to know how to avoid him being upset... of course DP isn't bothered about the value of his gifts, he is selfless and would give you his last pound if he could. i just thought the message behind this gift was quite spiteful.

I just bought him nice little bits I know he could use because he never spends a penny on himself. I think he deserves to feel loved and valued and buying thoughtful gifts was the only way for me to do that because HE IS WORKING 9-9.

For those that are interested, we live in a poor area and have 3 rooms (one for his other baby). Its terraced and most of our neighbours are either on drugs or single mums on benefits that swear at their kids and stand around in their dressing gown smoking all day. I hope that explains my frustration when she works part time, has a large house in a nice area and md and my son barely sees him.

Before anyone says it, yes I knew he had a child when we met but I think its steep to be put off someone because they have a little one. Once I found out the extent of her piss taking I was already besotted, I'm hoping that's okay with you all.

Thanks to all that have stuck up for me, yes I was quite upset by a lot of the comments. I am happy to admit I should not have done that but I feel it has really been blown way out of proportion.

  1. I never asked if you all thought I should be concerned by the gifts he buys his ex for mothers day (I'm not)
  2. I never asked if it was uncool of me to peek (I already knew it was)
  3. I never asked for anyone to conspire as to whether I was the OW (I wasnt, and there was no OW)

The list goes on.... I am past caring how i coming across by this point, I'm just pleased to know I'm not the sort of person who would deliberately be unkind to another mum when they are looking for kind (or even just civil) advice. It is fine if you disagree with me but name calling is absolutely vile and childish behaviour that I expect from children, i find it ironic that some of you are saying that i must be young and childish!

I'd bet a lot of these people calling me a 'nutter', crazy, mental, mentally ill etc are the sort of people that share posts on Facebook about mental health awareness and how bullying is wrong for kudos but in fact are bullying people from behind their keyboard everyday. I'm not mental, or crazy not that those words are appropriate for anyone that does suffer with any form of mental illness. That said, I do take great offense to the language used.

OP posts:
00100001 · 15/06/2019 17:50

I still fail to see why her being in a bigger nicer house had anything to do with the gift.

You keep mentioning it, and after your update you sound jealous that you aren't living in a nicer area and it sounds like you think that if your DP didn't pay so much to his ex, then you could have the nice house etc.
Now I could be wrong, but that's how it comes across.

It's up to your DP how much money he gives in order to support his child. Considering he works so long, it's not as if he would see if older child any more than he sees yours. So nothing much can change, apart from a) he gives less to exW, and then she will either be forced to work more than part-time hours (unless she has other money) or if she suddenly can't afford the Hosur and child,she will have to live to a smaller house. Which if that's what you (well DP) thinks is the best course of action, the. Go ahead and ask DP to make the necessary changes.

MangoMummy19 · 15/06/2019 17:51

Why is it petty to get an alarm clock if he has missed his alarm twice?? Don't be that new partner Op that thinks the ex must have been a bitch...it takes two people to make or break any relationship. He may be a completely different person for you than he was to her, or not. Either way, focus on your relationship with him.

Beebeezed · 15/06/2019 17:52

You don’t need to explain anything to anyone OP. I think you sound like a supportive, understanding partner and parent.

LegalFlamingo · 15/06/2019 18:11

If you think he will really take it badly then just try and see it off by laughing first and saying it’s funny and what a nice gift and hopefully that’s how he’ll see it too.

Doesn’t really bother me that you looked at it, I probably wouldn’t have, but that’s your choice at the end of the day!

Can’t see how all the other questions are relevant as OP only asked if she was BU to think it was harsh. It might be harsh, it might just be a joke. Who knows. Will probably be fine just don’t make a big deal out of it, don’t have the time of day for that 😉

Goodadvice1980 · 15/06/2019 18:45

Just a thought .... the "present" could appear to be a box with an alarm clock on it, but inside his ex-wife has put another (different) gift in it??

She could be an evil genius you know!

CountryGirl1234 · 15/06/2019 18:50

Read your update OP: I think most nasty comments here are not down to you or how you come across at all!!
More than likely reflecting their own shitty relationships or past experiences, you both sound very caring and it is a cheap shot, he sounds genuinely gutted he missed collecting his daughter. She sounds pissed it cost her money (understandably) but shouldn’t be screwing him to the floor for it. This guilt he is suffering is not healthy, she needs to come to terms with the situation and treat him better. Period. It’s not really about just the gift is it, it’s the sentiment behind it or lack of, in the name of his child.
Can understand the first couple of years are difficult but she really ought to have evened out now and be glad of his involvement, respect and help, irrespective of who chose what when they were together.

ILoveMaxiBondi · 15/06/2019 19:45

he had actually told the ex that he was unhappy before the child was even conceived but his ex claimed she was just grouchy because she was itching to be a mum and that everything would be perfect once she had a baby.

He should never have created that child if he was unhappy. That’s really irresponsible.

she would make him wake up with her in the night while she breastfed their baby.

When he split from her, she said that she still wanted him to pay half of the mortgage, half of their bills, spending money etc and she took two months of his full income (barring car insurance, petrol etc) whilst he stayed at his mums with no money for himself whatsoever.

I would take all this with a pinch of salt TBH. Sorry, but I’ve seen that far too many times.

boobirdblue · 15/06/2019 22:06

To those who are shaming him for having left whilst his other child was so young, he had actually told the ex that he was unhappy before the child was even conceived but his ex claimed she was just grouchy because she was itching to be a mum and that everything would be perfect once she had a baby. He carries a lot of guilt for leaving when his daughter was young, and that's about all he has guilt about

Not too unhappy to continue a full and active sex life though?

The ex in question has always expected a lot of him. She breastfed DSC and despite him working full time she would make him wake up with her in the night while she breastfed their baby. He couldn't feed her, but was expected to wake up every two hours despite going to work for 12 hours a day. I also bf my baby and do not expect him to get up at all because he is working and there is simply no point in him waking up to watch me breastfeed

So the 12 hour sifts are not due to her recent demands it's always been the case? What about your previous statement?

I dont even know why I am explaining myself, i just wanted to know how to avoid him being upset... of course DP isn't bothered about the value of his gifts, he is selfless and would give you his last pound if he could. i just thought the message behind this gift was quite spiteful.

Why would he be upset about what an ex partner bought him, it's not the child buying it and it's seriously wired being upset about ex's presents, like mad weird!

For those that are interested, we live in a poor area and have 3 rooms (one for his other baby). Its terraced and most of our neighbours are either on drugs or single mums on benefits that swear at their kids and stand around in their dressing gown smoking all day. I hope that explains my frustration when she works part time, has a large house in a nice area and md and my son barely sees him.

Get your DH to go to court and sort it out for maintenance and stop spending money on lavish presents for his ex spouse

Alaurable97 · 15/06/2019 22:44

@boobirdblue he now works 5x15 hour shifts a week.

Anyway @boobirdblue and @ilovemaxibondi , I am not sure where in my post I asked for you to judge the morals or honesty of my OH. Get off of your high horses and focus on your own issues, please. If you are unable to trust men that's your own issue, not mine. I'm highly doubtful that some women on Mumsnet have a better idea of him than me considering, you don't know him and I do.

My question has been answered already, Yes, IWU as it could be her sense of humour. I don't need to hear any more opinions other than ones that relate to my original question.

Thanks

OP posts:
Alaurable97 · 15/06/2019 22:49

Ooh to those that were piling on the abuse but have now disappeared, I have to say my favourite part was when you all decided that I was American! That's how far you were running with your strange theories, even my nationality changed! SMH. Just because someone wants to treat their OH does not make them materialistic or American. Did anyone perhaps consider it was the only way I could TRY and make his day special? As he is working.

OP posts:
boobirdblue · 15/06/2019 22:52

@Alaurable97 I trust my husband of 32 years totally..... he doesn't buy another woman flowers, pandora bracelets etc. Nor would he be upset about receiving OTT gifts from another woman.

He did use to get change and wind the babies after I breast fed them at night. That he felt was the least he could do.

Hollowvictory · 15/06/2019 22:52

Why did he continue to have sex with her and make a baby if he didn't want to be with her any more? Odd. He's told you some right nonsense!

ILoveMaxiBondi · 15/06/2019 22:53

I am not sure where in my post I asked for you to judge the morals or honesty of my OH.

You don’t get to dictate what people discuss on a thread once you make it post it. This is the internet, it’s public, it’s not your living room. If you post information, people get to give opinions on it. Some of those opinions won’t be ones you like. If you don’t want them, then the internet isn’t the right place for your questions.

boobirdblue · 15/06/2019 22:56

Ooh to those that were piling on the abuse but have now disappeared

They disappeared because you did Hmm

Swipe left for the next trending thread