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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU DH ExW not letting us know contact plans for DSS

76 replies

CowgirlBride · 08/08/2020 10:08

I really need an external perspective on this without ending up being bashed by people thinking I'm BU to the ExW/DSS.
DH and his ex have a difficult relationship but I don't get involved in general. I leave it to DH to make the arrangements with her to see his DS (my DSS) who is nearly 14. The contact arrangements are just a family arrangement, nothing court appointed and DSS generally comes over on a Sunday, but sometimes on a Saturday to stay overnight and sometimes other days in school hols.
ExW has always been a bit controlling and would often not let DH know what was happening until the last minute, which pre-covid although frustrating was manageable. But more recently we have had our DS (9 months) and obviously having to deal with the restrictions that lockdown has brought. (Pre-lockdown we would often go out for food but obviously now we eat at home) This means that I have felt that it would be helpful to have a bit of notice about what was happening in order to make plans, particularly for food (in our house I deal with most of the food/cooking related things as DH is fairly useless at that! Grin)
DSS is quite a fussy eater, only eats very limited veg and no fruit and is fussy over other things. I am pescatarian so when I cook a meal for me and DH we've agreed that we eat the same (he'd have meat with a takeaway or eating out) and we eat a lot of vegetarian stuff, lots of veg, salad etc - which DSS obviously won't eat. Hence me needing to plan! I am happy to buy things he likes and include meat for when he comes but don't really want it taking space just in case (our fridge and freezer are small) or ending up being wasted.
DH ex increasingly hasn’t let DH know until the last minute what the arrangements are, what meals DSS is here for etc, and sometimes expects us to drop everything to accommodate.
Much as I try to not get involved, I am getting very frustrated and have said before to DH that ExW needs to stick to a deadline (eg we need to know by Thursday or we’ll make other plans) but he’s tried that with her before and it just results in her nose getting out of joint and then she makes excuses for DSS to not come over for several weeks, saying he’s busy. And I don’t want to be responsible for DH not seeing his son.
Also, much as I realise it is not DH fault for these last minute arrangements, I am also annoyed that it is always me who has to organise the food situation and run around like a crazy person trying to sort something. If I ask what to get for DSS, DH just says “I don’t know” and I think “if you don’t know, how do I?”
I am honestly at the point of saying either ExW needs to give us sufficient notice for me to sort something or DH is in charge of the meal arrangements.
I have never ever wanted to create a “not my child” situation as I feel we are one family (we don't even refer to the two boys as step brothers, they're just brothers). I love DSS very much and want him to see his dad and baby brother, but at the same time I don’t see why I should be the only one impacted by the situation. DH will just tell me when DSS coming and expect me to sort something.

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 08/08/2020 11:37

If he turns up at short notice, tell dh to sort out the food!

gutentag1 · 08/08/2020 11:42

I definitely think that at 14 you should put some responsibility on him. Stop communicating with exW, start texting DSS to ask when he's coming round.

If he doesn't let you know then you meal plan and cook as usual, if he turns up at short notice then you send him to the shop for a ready meal.

CowgirlBride · 08/08/2020 11:43

@beachcitygirl are you living on another planet? My DM would absolutely want notice if I was coming to stay and expected more than one meal. I'm an adult and I would never expect to just drop in to hers and be fed! Hmm
DSS lives too far away to make his own travel arrangements- would involve multiple bus/train changes as no direct route and neither live particularly near a train station. So he needs collecting and dropping back - about 1.5 - 2 hour round trip. He is welcome to have his own door key but that seems a bit pointless when he never comes here independently.
Saying just drop ExW from the situation? You are making a massive presumption that she would allow that to happen. I have suggested that before to DH and got nowhere.

OP posts:
LizzieBlackwell · 08/08/2020 11:51

[quote CowgirlBride]@beachcitygirl are you living on another planet? My DM would absolutely want notice if I was coming to stay and expected more than one meal. I'm an adult and I would never expect to just drop in to hers and be fed! Hmm
DSS lives too far away to make his own travel arrangements- would involve multiple bus/train changes as no direct route and neither live particularly near a train station. So he needs collecting and dropping back - about 1.5 - 2 hour round trip. He is welcome to have his own door key but that seems a bit pointless when he never comes here independently.
Saying just drop ExW from the situation? You are making a massive presumption that she would allow that to happen. I have suggested that before to DH and got nowhere. [/quote]
I doubt understand why you can’t hold more than one meal at a time for him? Why can’t you just get some stuff in for when he comes or get dh to pick some thing up on the way back?

Your dh needs to start having independent conversations with his son now rather than go through his mother? Is there any reason like SN why he can’t do that?

beachcitygirl · 08/08/2020 11:56

Nope. Not another planet. The real one.
You didn't say you lived so far away. So I understand transport issues. Your comments re yourself & your mother are irrelevant. Most older teenagers don't need to ask permission/make complicated arrangements to see their parent. They just pitch up. You sound extremely hard work op

CowgirlBride · 08/08/2020 11:59

I hear what everyone is saying about ready meals etc and maybe I just need to accept it but it just feels so...unwelcoming. "Here's a nice home cooked meal for us and a ready meal for DSS" When I grew up we all ate the same thing together, so that's a bit alien to me. But maybe that is just how it has to be.
If I could keep stuff in the freezer I would but there's barely enough space for us. As for an additional freezer, we don't have anywhere to put one! (I'd honestly love more freezer space just for us!)
Takeaways etc are nice on occasion but at the moment we certainly couldn't afford to do that every week.

OP posts:
NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite · 08/08/2020 12:06

I leave it to DH to make the arrangements with her to see his DS (my DSS) who is nearly 14.
Leave it to DH to sort. Either buy meat at the weekend in case DSS comes (if he doesn't then DH can eat it) or tell DH that, in future, it's his job to source and cook food for DSS. No need to make an issue out of it.

Perhaps DH and DSS could cook when his son is there as this will be beneficial for his son in the not too distant future.

Drumple · 08/08/2020 12:06

Surely you have room for a tin of beans? That would do for a push by and then you could get something else for the next meal?

LouiseTrees · 08/08/2020 12:08

When someone goes to pick him up could they not jump into the supermarket at that point? Also agree with PP that noodles, macaroni cheese out a packet or just a takeaway for the teen should be okay

LizzieBlackwell · 08/08/2020 12:09

Your applying your upbringing to how your dss should be treated.

Every family is different. Dinner time here is like a cafe some times. Every one eating different stuff at different times, maybe once or twice a week we will eat together.

What does he actually like to eat? If you could put his favourite foods in front of him what would they be?

tara66 · 08/08/2020 12:09

Give him eggs or eggs - as in omelette or scramble every time he comes. If he doesn't like it - let him know you did not know he was coming - that may make him and his mother more organised! Don't stock a variety of possibilities.

Kaykay066 · 08/08/2020 12:10

Your son and your dss are brothers they are not step brothers?

Surely having one meal in for when he comes over then your h can pick up some other bits from the shop for the rest of the time. It’s his son so he needs to step up on that front. My son lives far from his dads so also wouldn’t pitch up doesn’t have a key for theirs either I don’t have any communication with my ex as his wife thinks I’m after him (haha not a chance) so I’m in the dark re things too, it’s a pain. Don’t make it such a big thing, he’s 14 my son is 15 and hopeless at communicating with me/his dad so not reliable really.
Sure you’ll sort it

CowgirlBride · 08/08/2020 12:14

@beachcitygirl so I'm hard work for wanting to make DSS feel welcome, wanting notice so I can feed him something that he likes, caring about his health, wanting him to feel included in our meals?
Maybe I should just sit back on my laurels and not give a damn.
Oh wait, if I did that then I'd be bashed for being one of those SMs that doesn't care and treats their SC differently than their own children. Hmm
You honestly do not know what you are talking about - ExW is the difficult one as she refuses to facilitate DSS making his own arrangements with his dad. For no other reason than she needs to control everything.

OP posts:
CowgirlBride · 08/08/2020 12:16

@Kaykay066 haha yes you're right - I meant half brothers not step brothers! Had step on the brain!

OP posts:
beachcitygirl · 08/08/2020 12:22

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LannieDuck · 08/08/2020 12:27

(I am honestly at the point of saying either ExW needs to give us sufficient notice for me to sort something or) DH is in charge of the meal arrangements

You gave us the answer in your OP.

Pleasebeaflesbite · 08/08/2020 12:28

This all feels very difficult unnecessarily OP. Like PPs I would suggest you relax and keep a ready meal or two in the freezer. Or if space really doesn’t allow 🤷‍♀️ Some chicken in the fridge that your DH can eat if DS doesn’t come. If the boy is now 14 it won’t be long before he is able to make his own arrangements even if his mother is controlling things now.

Tinyhumansurvivalist · 08/08/2020 12:29

@CowgirlBride I do kind of get where @beachcitygirl is coming from. Your home should be dss hone too so there should always be easy meals in for him in case of an unexpected visit. I do agree he should be letting you know and when I was still with my ex my dsc knew to text and let me know if they would be with us for tea. That said they are teens and occasionally too tied up in themselves to think and would just show up. In which case they got what was available or toast.

Your dh has sod all contact realistically with your dss..but did is 14 and capable of organising his own life so dh should be dealing with him and his ex.

Honestly you don't have an ex issue you have a dh issue for allowing this crap to go on unchecked

Stannisbaratheonsboxofmatches · 08/08/2020 12:38

I agree with others. Just have stuff he’ll eat in the freezer and try not to worry about it. He comes when he comes.

Just go about your usual business with the knowledge it’ll be fine if he does turn up.

Not absolutely ideal I know, but much less of a stress.

GabsAlot · 08/08/2020 12:42

get your dh to cook meals when your dss comes over see if he thinks its easy last minute like you have to do

might wake himup a bit

fairlyplump · 08/08/2020 12:53

You really are making this hardwork for yourself, supermarkets are open 24/7 almost, you have a freezer, just have a few bits in you know he likes. I honestly can't see a problem with it.

thisisbobbins · 08/08/2020 12:59

It seems like your stepson is seen as a guest to be catered for rather than part of the family. Would that be fair to say?
I'm wondering why he sees so little of his father, has it always been this way or since he's got older?

As for the food issue, as others have said, shops are open a lot, if someone is picking him up, it's not really a stretch to pop into a shop and grab something for dinner if there's nothing in.
Totally overthinking OP.

LizzieBlackwell · 08/08/2020 13:10

[quote CowgirlBride]@beachcitygirl so I'm hard work for wanting to make DSS feel welcome, wanting notice so I can feed him something that he likes, caring about his health, wanting him to feel included in our meals?
Maybe I should just sit back on my laurels and not give a damn.
Oh wait, if I did that then I'd be bashed for being one of those SMs that doesn't care and treats their SC differently than their own children. Hmm
You honestly do not know what you are talking about - ExW is the difficult one as she refuses to facilitate DSS making his own arrangements with his dad. For no other reason than she needs to control everything. [/quote]
Has your dss got a mobile can’t your dh contact him directly on it?

If she is genuinely stopping all private communication between your dss and his dad then there is a bigger issue than just having a spare pizza in the oven.

You really don’t have to the hostess with the mostest.

‘Hi xxx you ok? There is a pizza in the freezer if you want it. Shall I put it in?

That’s all there is to it.

There is a silent battle here going on between you and ex and your dss is stuck in the middle of it

mrsBtheparker · 08/08/2020 13:12

Be unavailable when she deigns to tell you when he's coming. Get his father to involve the courts in arranging contact, at the moment she knows that she has him over a barrel with her selfishness, he needs to fight back.

LizzieBlackwell · 08/08/2020 13:13

Also your dh needs to message his son if you are making plans.

‘Son we are going xxx on what everyday let me know before 1pm if your coming up as we’re are setting off at xxx’

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