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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be annoyed at ex?

9 replies

fortysomething8 · 15/04/2022 18:41

2 dcs, separated 8 years ago and he moved to the other side of the county back to his parents when we separated. Eldest dc has autism, ex has zero involvement in this and I try my best for my son as a lone parent

Usual circumstances are that dcs travel to ex's every other weekend. He collects them and drops them back off - I was meeting him half way at one time however I found my backbone and realised I shouldn't be doing this as it's not up to me to help him see his dcs when he has no involvement in anything and offers me no support as an sen parent.

He works for a well known courier company. It's always been crap for the dcs, he's self employed but is contracted to the company. Between October and Xmas day - he comes and sees them every other Sunday as he has to work. Today he's told me his days off are changing and he will only get Sundays off which mean he will come and see them every other Sunday.

He will get here about 10.30 and drop them back off at 3.30.

I haven't bothered to reply to his message as that's just the way it is. He won't change. He refuses to look for another job.

Aibu to feel sad for my dcs? It's going to be yet another change for my autistic dc. He finds it hard not seeing his dad. My dd also does however as she's growing up - I don't think she will really want to go see him as much now anyway but it definitely has a negative effect on DS.

Aibu to also feel that it means I get now zero time to myself? I love my kids. I live for them but with an sen child and doing it alone - I really need a breather at times!

If I broach the subject with him he says he needs to work to pay my maintenance. £100 per week - not complaining about that, it's a decent amount and it's more than many fathers give.

Dcs go to their dads in school holidays only if his mum and dad can get the time off work. I have no idea what he does with his own holidays.

What would you write as a reply? Or am I being unreasonable to be pissed off yet again with him?

OP posts:
StoneofDestiny · 15/04/2022 19:16

I'd play it back,
"Are you really wanting me to tell your children you can only spare 10 hours a month to see them"?

DragonOverTheMoon · 15/04/2022 19:19

I'd love to have been a dad, apart from I wouldn't be able to live with myself. It must be so nice knowing that someone else wi do all the work and sort all of it out and I can do what I want as long as I chuck money at it Angry

fortysomething8 · 15/04/2022 19:24

@StoneofDestiny

I'd play it back, "Are you really wanting me to tell your children you can only spare 10 hours a month to see them"?
Yes! Something like this is what I'm looking for to reply with. Rather than my usual rant that gets me no where. Just something short that still says he's a crap dad. Thank you
OP posts:
CandyLeBonBon · 15/04/2022 19:47

@DragonOverTheMoon

I'd love to have been a dad, apart from I wouldn't be able to live with myself. It must be so nice knowing that someone else wi do all the work and sort all of it out and I can do what I want as long as I chuck money at it Angry
Same. I couldn't look at myself in the mirror if I was my exH.
fortysomething8 · 15/04/2022 20:17

The kids think he's great because he takes them to McDonald's every other weekend because he's that lazy he can't be arsed to cook.

OP posts:
NinjaQueen · 15/04/2022 21:01

It's so shit isn't it, I feel for you.

Honestly I don't think anything you say now will have any impact, he has checked out of his responsibilities and that's that.

fortysomething8 · 15/04/2022 21:22

@NinjaQueen

It's so shit isn't it, I feel for you.

Honestly I don't think anything you say now will have any impact, he has checked out of his responsibilities and that's that.

Absolutely. He did the minute he left unfortunately. It's been too many years of letting it get to me.
OP posts:
DragonOverTheMoon · 15/04/2022 21:28

See if you are entitled to any more CS if he isn't doing any over nights and use that money for a weekly babysitter to get out and see friends. You deserve to be you, to feel like yourself and not have anyone want emotional and caring duties from you.

fortysomething8 · 16/04/2022 08:52

@DragonOverTheMoon

See if you are entitled to any more CS if he isn't doing any over nights and use that money for a weekly babysitter to get out and see friends. You deserve to be you, to feel like yourself and not have anyone want emotional and caring duties from you.
If I did, I'd do stuff to entertain the kids to take their kind of not seeing their dads. I've never taken him to cms as I have no idea how much he earns and it could come out less
OP posts:
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