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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Dads contact and his new girlfriend

71 replies

Charlie09 · 17/06/2019 11:57

Hi
Basically... my ex has recently introduced his new girlfriend to our children. Admittedly this has been very hard for me and it’s nlt been nice at all. Moreso as his gf has called me ‘fat’ and ugly in the past and generally not been nice. So my feelings towards her are not positive in any way. Also my ex is emotionally abusive and even up until weeks ago still tries it on with me.
When they first met her they went bowling (fine). But she hugged them goodbye (not fine as they don’t know her).
Second time they went to the cinema (fine) but the kids thought it was going to be just them and their dad. He only sees them wednesdays for two hours and every other weekend (sat 10am until Sunday whenever he likes it seems). So that time in between he sees his gf and her kids (and I think he might be living with them or certainly stays every night except for when he has our kids one night). I’ve offered for him to see the kids more but he’s ignored that and tells everyone how much he misses them but then never wants to see them more?! He’d rather just obsess over his gf.

On to the point!... it was obviously Father’s Day yesterday and my weekend. It got until Thursday and no offer of seeing them so I messaged his sister (as I’ve stopped all direct contact due to his games and coming in my house looking through my things etc) and asked if he wanted to see them. He had replied yes. I had said I’d hope he’d respect the kids would want to spend time with just him/ family.
So he picks them up (acts all nice and spoke to me for the first time in a few weeks since I’ve refysed to have sex with him) and said he’d drop them back at 6pm.

Gets to 6.30pm.., kids not home. Try to call my child and nothing. Finally my child calls and says they’re on their way home from Kate’s (his gfs!) where they had been all afternoon for a roast. I was fuming.
They get home gone 7pm.
He hasn’t respected mine or the kids wishes and trying to play happy families with her. The kids have now seen her every time he’s had them since he introduced them which he promised me and the kids wouldn’t be the case. When we were amicable he said he agreed he needs 1-1 time with them as he rarely gets to. Now he doesn’t leave her side or want to do anything without her. It’s unhealthy and their rs is unhealthy and the kids are really affected by seeing her. My eldest sleeps in my bed and my youngest asks for days after when her mum and dad are getting back together. I tell her we won’t and he’s with someone else now but I don’t think she understands why he acts like he does with her and not me and not want to be home with us. It’s horribke for them and that he doesn’t respect their feelings. He doesn’t even give them a choice as to whether to see her or not.

He’s also now doing no contact with me but to the extent that he won’t communicatd about the kids. About money he owes, birthdays etc which are sent via our tp. He’s acting like a child and refuses to coparent. All he thinks about is himself and his horrible selfish gf.
The only response I’ve had since no contact was one his gf clearly sent, so he can’t even write his own messages anymore.
Also she draws up schedules for the holidays, despite me drafting one she does her own and gets him to pass it back. It’s like a control thing. She’s trying to control everything and he’s totally under her spell. I just want him to be a proper dad to his kids and put them first and not her and not be so weak and pathetic to do everything she says or thinks. Neither of them respect anyone else.

I wish I could make it so they didn’t have contact with her but I know I couldn’t.. so what else can I do? I feel powerless! They do whatever they want even when it’s against my parenting morals.

If they keep bringing the kids back late can I do something about that? I wouldn’t ever want them to not have contact with their dad as if anything I wish he wanted more contact with them. It’s just heartbreaking he’s turned out like this and it’s making me depressed and low and not able to move on

OP posts:
nauseous5000 · 17/06/2019 12:01

You can't do anything about him choosing to involve her during contact or her hugging them. How old are they? Can't they vocalise being unhappy about it themselves? And are they really unhappy rather than just confused and hurt by your split or are they projecting your feelings on it?

tinyvulture · 17/06/2019 12:08

I know it’s very difficult, but you can’t stop him having her there during his access times, and anything you do to attempt that will probably annoy him and hence make it worse. So I think, for the sake of your own sanity, you just need to let it go. Whatever your kids think of this woman, whatever relationship they develop with her in the future, you know it is no threat to their relationship with you? So actually, given that she looks like she is going to be in their lives for at least a little while now, it is probably preferable that they have a positive relationship. I DO know how hard it is tho - it took me quite a while to get to the point where I felt like this about OW. But I did get there, and I feel much better about things now (and my ex and I get on better too, which has to be better for dd).

Charlie09 · 17/06/2019 12:12

Also I’ve told him I won’t make any more concessions as he’s broken my trust (via his sister)... which, as I’m such a walk over and I actually have a heart (unlike him), I feel really bad about as I don’t want it like this. I wanted to be amicable but he wanted to keep me there and sleep with me still and call me whenever him and his gf had arguments. Now I won’t do that, he’s acting like I don’t exist and that’s hard to coparent with. He takes no responsibility though and it feels like he’s punishing me and blaming me and hates me for setting boundaries.
I’m finding it so hard to live like this 😢

OP posts:
sweeneytoddsrazor · 17/06/2019 12:12

You cant dictate who he spends time with during his time with the children. If she is a long term fixture in his life then your children will have to spend time with her and they will get used to her. At the moment they see her as the reason why Daddy isnt living with them and Mummy. They need to be explained this isnt the case, Mummy and Daddy love them but dont want to live together.

Oysterbabe · 17/06/2019 12:15

It's hard but it's really up to him how much he wants to involve his girlfriend during his contact time.

sweeneytoddsrazor · 17/06/2019 12:18

Have you been sleeping with him whilst he has been with his gf? Has he been coming to your house for the night?

WomanLikeMeLM · 17/06/2019 12:18

What he does in his time is none of your concern, never mind trying to pull the family card. The more you fight him the more he will do it.

Charlie09 · 17/06/2019 12:19

I don’t think it’s my feelings they’re projecting but who knows. I have told them it’s fine them seeing her and it’s not their fault etc. I reassure them all the time but whether they sense I’m sad/ angry, I don’t know. I just wish they were more respectful. Also, it doesn’t help how he’s been treating me and how he’s cheated on her loads and lies to her etc. Surely a mature grown man wouldn’t involve his kids in that?
I know I think and analyse too much and it does hurt he’s acting like 14 years never happened. He used to say up until recently I was his best friend. I know I’m still not over the split but I know I’d never have him back either. He has done too much and involving her I guess was the last bit of us being totally over. He hurts he doesn’t care about that.

How long did you get over the horrible feeling in your tummy when they’d come home after seeing her? Have you moved on too now?
I know he’ll go nuts when I introduce a man to the kids (not that I can even imagine doing that right now). That’s the double standards of it all but only then will he realise what he put me through and how it feels.

I’m just sad my family is broken up. I wish I could get over that

OP posts:
Charlie09 · 17/06/2019 12:20

Yes we were sleeping together for over a month. He never stayed over but the kids saw him playing fighting with me, flirting with me, following me around the house etc until I put a stop to it.

OP posts:
sweeneytoddsrazor · 17/06/2019 12:24

Well there is your answer. The kids are confused because you were acting as though you were still together and they obviously thought Daddy would be coming home. It sounds like you are not over the split and still have feelings for him.

Charlie09 · 17/06/2019 12:26

Also.. it’s the fact he lied and said he would ‘ease the kids in’ to seeing her and not rub her in their faces and see them every weekend he has them to start with... which he’s gone against. I get in time it’ll be like that but he’s gone against everything we ever discussed and agreed and it’s clearly due to her influence. If I’m not in contact with him, he seems to follow her morals and ways instead and shits the kids out too. If I do as he pleases, he’s attentive with them and calls to speak to them more and send pictures when he’s with them etc. It’s like he’s punishing me for setting boundaries.

I think that’s my point. I’m not an unreasonable person and I get that it’s not up to be to say what he does but I wish he wouldn’t tell me and the kids one thing and then do another!

OP posts:
Charlie09 · 17/06/2019 12:28

I’ve saud I’m not over the split. It’s hit me hard as I’m a real family person. He was my family. I would have done anything for him. That’s not to say I think or want him and I to get back together. He’s been vile to me and very cruel and so has his gf and I could never forgive that. I think I just need time to get over him not being in my life.

OP posts:
Teddybear45 · 17/06/2019 12:29

Take the kids’ lead. If they don’t want to see him as often then don’t force them or go back to court and make the court consider their opinions.

sweeneytoddsrazor · 17/06/2019 12:35

You have to take your feelings out of it. He is their Dad. Unless you think he puts them in danger then leave him to parent as he sees fit with them. And dont question them when they come home. You dont need to know all the details of who hugged them goodbye. A simple did you have a nice time with Dad have you eaten is more than enough. Let them tell you what they did in their own time and own way.

Pinkmouse6 · 17/06/2019 12:40

I’m afraid you can’t do anything about it. Unless he is neglecting or abusing them during his contact time, he can legally do whatever the hell he likes. I know it’s a really horrible thing to deal with, I’ve been through the same situation and have just had to make peace with it.

PeoniesarePink · 17/06/2019 12:41

You can't control who the children are with when they are with him.

You need to let go, and accept things are over Flowers

Nesssie · 17/06/2019 12:41

So far they have gone bowling, gone to the cinema and had a nice roast together. Its not like the gf has come into his life and now the kids have been pushed aside. Sounds like she is making an effort to get them involved.

I think your own feelings are making this into a bigger thing than it is right now.
Bringing them home an hour late without telling you isn't ideal, accept it as one off right now but keep a note in case it becomes a regular thing.

SupermassiveBlackHo · 17/06/2019 12:45

I think YABU. Why can't their dad's partner cook a roast on Father's Day? That's normal family life, sorry.

Catapultaway · 17/06/2019 12:48

I know it must be hard, but he doesn't get to dictate to you who the kids see when you have them, and unfortunately it's the same other way round.
Hope you feel better soon.

SparklyMagpie · 17/06/2019 12:48

How old are your DC?

I actually felt quite sad when you'd written that you were sleeping with him for over a month and the kids witnessed all the flirting etc. How confusing for them :(

LakieLady · 17/06/2019 12:50

I think your hurt is making this seem like a bigger thing than it is, tbh.

Unless he's neglecting them or involving them in stuff that's unsafe, you can't control how he spends his time with the DCs, or who they have contact with while their with him. I also wonder if you percieve the things that she does as "control" because you feel that loss of control so badly?

It's really hard to let go when a relationship is over and you still have to maintain some semblance of civility for the sake of the children, especially so when the ex is in a new relationship and there's a new partner involved. It doesn't help when the sex has continued after the end of the relationship!

I think you really need to try and let go, and accept that things have moved on. It will be best for the DCs in the long run.

Charlie09 · 17/06/2019 13:01

I completely accept what you’re all saying and like I said, I analyse everything and being an over thinker I do see from others perspective. I guess I know I wouldn’t have done what they did. I would have kept my relationship separate on a day like Father’s Day. I know that’s obviously where my morals lie and theirs doesn’t. I do worry whether it’s because I feel a lack of control but I don’t think it is as I never try and say or suggest what they should do together or ever question what they do etc. I know I don’t sound it but I am laid back and been told I’ve been too laid back about a lot of things. I did get annoyed over yesterday and messaged his sister that it had broken a trust after I thought they were having quality time with just them.
Then all night I felt bad, thinking I had over reacted.
I think it’s all getting on top of me as I had 14 years of emotional abuse and he’s still never really stopped. Now he’s doing the silent treatment to punish me. Which is fine as it’s made me move on from what I was feeling a lot more but I at least wanted responses about the children.

I do not need to suck it up and accept it and I wish I could be that person a lot sooner. I don’t want my children affected by this.
He still comes in the house when I’m not here and goes through my child’s phone to look at my Instagram and looks through my drawers etc. I feel like he’s giving me the silent treatment like he hates me, tells everyone he loves her but then does all this weird stuff behind closed doors. It messes with my head. The more I set boundaries the more he discards me and treats me like I’m nobody.

I need to not care. Even hearing myself I know I just need to stop thinking about it all

OP posts:
helpmum2003 · 17/06/2019 13:03

I agree with what others have said OP.

Well done that you are no longer sleeping with him. I think in terms of how long you feel awful and how the kids are feeling you can only start counting at the time you actually stopped having sex with him.

What do you do when the kids are away? Spoil yourself - even if just a film and popcorn, get some exercise, new hobby. This will help your self esteem and then you can move on.

Namechangeforthiscancershit · 17/06/2019 13:04

Your DC have been confused by what they've seen. It will be much better with boundaries in place.

So far it sounds ok. Just carry on being there for them if they need it.

helpmum2003 · 17/06/2019 13:05

Oh and change the locks!