Raw question for split parents...

[paerol]

Have you ever said something bad about the other parent? Has anything ever slipped out or anything they may have overheard?

DS's dad has had no contact with him for 8 months. He's a preschooler. He's been in court and had an order ensuring he stays away from me and through all of this I've made sure to never say anything horrible/bad at all.

Today DS was talking about him and asking about him and in a split second I decided it'd be best for my preschooler to try and explain that daddy had been a little bit naughty and that's why he isn't around a lot... but he cut me off and insisted 'no he hasn't!' He looked so confused.

Anyway, I'm completely letting this eat me up and I'm in bits tonight. I feel like the worst parent ever and he'll remember me saying this about his daddy.

Has anyone ever dealt with anything like this before? I don't know why I thought it'd be a good idea, I just don't know how to approach it

It is so ducking difficult. Tell him it's something to chat about when he is 20 and change the subject.

But if you have a court order to keep him from contacting you, then I'm assuming his dad wasn't very nice to you. And in that instance I think it's okay to explain it in a age appropriate way and saying that daddy was naugthy is a good start

I occasionally let something slip. I try not to as mine are older but not old enough to understand properly iykwim. I'm sure it won't scar them for life. I try hard to be the best parent I can be and that includes not bad mouthing the other one. But it's hard, just like other aspects of life as a single parent. Try not to sweat it.

If you tell them you will ruin that wonderful moment when they find out for themselves.