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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Sons hair

39 replies

Anonmummyoftwo · 28/03/2021 20:43

My sons 7 his dads only recently came into his life after deciding when I was pregnant he didn’t want to have a child. It’s been 6 weeks and I’m the last 3 the agreement is he collects my son and takes him to his family’s home for 2 hours a week, that’s all he asked and he brings him home bed the 2 hours. He lives 10 minutes walking distance away. Before Covid I got my sons hair cut every 4 weeks so iv been keeping on top of it myself every few weeks going over it. His hairs short but still some length. His father had him today and before her left made a comment about my sons hair and I said yeah il give it a trim tonight before his bath. My ex has a shaven head and he said about shaving my sons which I said no to and even text him after and said I’m serious don’t touch his hair and he responded with fine. Well iv just put my son to bed upset because his father took a razor and shaved my child’s hair all off! A razor not even a pair of scissors or shears. When he was dropping my son off he left at the end of the street and walked away couldn’t even face me. My sons begged not to be sent to school this week and he’s only in till Tuesday so im keeping him off. Iv text my ex and said Wdf and a few other choice words and he just said I didn’t think you would mind. My son said he didn’t want to do it but his dad shouted at him and scared him. So here’s my aibu would I be unreasonable if I say for the next while ex is to see my son in my home till he can be a bit of a adult and not do things to spite me. I’d leave the house for a while to give them space. My son said he doesn’t want to go back down yet. His gran my ex’s mum told him off for being upset and said it’s only hair. Yes hair grows back but it’s the fact my sons upset and I told them not to do it.

OP posts:
SquirtleSquad · 29/03/2021 09:13

If he's that fussed about forming a relationship he can pay full CSA and see your son when/if your son wishes in an appropriate and supervised setting.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 29/03/2021 09:24

How on earth is it 'spoiling' your child by letting him keep his hair? What reason did he give for cutting his hair? Why would you do that? It sounds like he either randomly wanted to upset him, upset you or, possibly, deliberately do it to stop you from seeing him, to save him the bother/cost of actually being a father. Disgusting man.

He sounds like a nasty bully and a lying gaslighter - claiming he thought you wouldn't mind when you'd explicitly told him that you would mind. As for his mum: you can see where he gets his (lack of) thinking from - pointless bullying appears to be the family's go-to method. How would she feel if somebody shaved her head against her express wishes and then told her to stop crying and not to be so spoilt, because it's only hair?

pinkyredrose · 29/03/2021 09:37

Only reason I even agreed to the time alone was ex had told my son he had a ps5 and my son wanted to play it Hmm

Not so your son could develop a relationship with his father then? Anyway the father (sperm donor) sound's a complete twat, don't blame your son for not wanting to see him.

Exhausted4ever · 29/03/2021 09:48

You basically let a stranger take your child to their house for a few hours every week, because they've got a ps5. Do you not see the insanity in that?! Thank god a shaved head was as bad as it got. Your poor son. Let the twat contact whoever he apparently wants to. No one is going to force you to let contact continue like this. If your son wants to see his "father" that's his choice but it needs to be safe and sensible, supervised contact only for a long time!

Winter2020 · 29/03/2021 10:20

Hi OP,
I'm sorry you and your son are going through this. You do now need to safeguard your son from this awful man and his awful family. No more contact. It helps that it doesn't sound like your son wants to see him anyway and it doesn't sound like his dad will fight for contact so hopefully it won't be too difficult.

Keep photos of the hair cut and messages. In the unlikely event your ex goes to court for access. His behaviour was completely unreasonable.

Yes definately phone the school (I would ask to speak to the headteacher if possible). The school need to know what your son has gone through to ensure there are no negative consequences about tge haircut. They should also know not to allow his father to collect him.

I hope your son's father crawls back under his rock and you don't hear from him again. It is clear how much you care about your son so please try to ignore everyone who thinks they know better.

Regularsizedrudy · 29/03/2021 10:30

That sounds really upsetting for your son. Tbh I don’t understand why you let them be alone together when dad has been absent for 7 years. I’m sorry but you are putting your son at risk. You need to stop putting all the pressure on your son by asking what he wants to do. He is a 7 year old child, that’s way too much for him. You are the adult. You need to make choices that protect him.

BaronessBomburst · 29/03/2021 10:30

The child is 7 years old, not 7 months! Virtual strangers or not, he was probably perfectly happy to go and visit someone with a PS5 for two hours a week.
It's not your fault he shaved his head OP. And you couldn't have known he'd do that.

But I think you're perfectly justified in not sending him anymore. Keep your boy home with you.
Does he even gave parental rights? Because I'm pretty sure that technically, without them, what he has done counts as assault.

Happycat1212 · 29/03/2021 11:13

Literally no one would have told the op it was unreasonable to not let the father who has been absent for SEVEN years not take a child he’s only seen for 3 weeks, I’m guessing that was 3 times most likely once a
Week?! No one would have said she was withholding contact, nope not buying that. And there is nothing wrong with pointing that out so the op knows it was wrong to send a child off with someone that hadn’t see in 7 years so she doesn’t do it again. Contact should have been built up very very slowly, I’m surprised the child was even comfortable going off with a man he had only known 3 weeks but hey he had a ps5 so why not Hmm my ex asked to take the children to his house the second time Of seeing them after not seeing them For almost 3 years, he got told absolutely not, I needed to make sure there was a relationship built there first and that the children were happy and confident to go with him not just being tempting because of a ps5

Easterbunnygettingready · 29/03/2021 11:18

Don't underestimate how upset your ds may be for a while op. My exh took my floppy haired preteen to the hairdresser.. Whispered to her..
She cut the lot off. Ds was absolutely distraught..
For weeks.
Don't think their relationship really recovered.. You are doing right by ds keeping him away. He sounds like a bully.

CuntyMcBollocks · 29/03/2021 11:23

I wouldn't let him see him again EVER! What an abusive knob. Yes, it's only hair and will eventually grow back, but that's besides the point. He knew your son didn't want his hair cut and that you also said no, but he did it anyway.

Tinydinosaur · 29/03/2021 11:24

You're doing the right thing by keeping him away. I wouldn't involve social services. They won't be interested in what he has to say anyway. He can take you to court for visitation and start paying for his child at the same time.

OldEvilOwl · 29/03/2021 11:27

What a wanker! I would be furious. Good suggestion by previous poster to take a photo of the shaved hair

Wellpark · 29/03/2021 11:34

Does he even pay support?! Get him to f*!!

ThatsNotTheTeaHunty · 29/03/2021 11:45

Omg what a bully.
I wouldn't allow him to see him when he is bullying him and making himself scared. Then he gets told off for being scared.

Urgh. What an asshole. Thinks he can just waltz back in and call the shots. Dead beat piece of 💩.

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