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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To say no to this and leave it to DH to sort?

626 replies

Peeeko · 15/09/2022 15:19

Brief background. Me and DH don't share finances as I've never wanted to, I've always wanted access to my own money and we both earn well so never felt it necessary.

We have a joint account that pays for bills and we have a joint account that we save in but the rest goes in personal accounts and we don't question the other on what is spent on what.

We were trying for a child for a long time, I ended up with quite severe depression due to it, we also lost a baby along on the way and it was a really dark time but we eventually managed to have our own child who is now 1. My husband also has a son from a previous relationship who currently lives with us 50:50.

I always wanted to keep my career going but also wanted to spend some time at home. So I ended up dropping a day at work so that I could spend it with our son and just do things with him, spend time with him, get out and about before he starts being tied to school holidays. I do not rely on DH financially due to this and I am still able to provide my half of the bills so felt it was my decision and he was happy for me to do it too. After everything we went through it just seemed like the right thing for me to do.

My husband's ex has recently started a new job and has to work longer hours. Due to this she has asked if we can increase the time my DSC is at ours by one day/night so with us 4 and her 3. We live close by so logistically this wouldn't be a problem.

However, the day falls on my day off and I am now being asked to facilitate it by being available to take and pick up DSS from school, be around generally if he's off like holidays or sick etc..

I've said no and DH thinks I'm being unreasonable.

I took the drop in hours to spend time with our son, not to look after my step son so my husband's ex could further her career. I love my day with my son and don't want our time being tied to school hours, having to back from wherever if we choose to go out or having to look after DSS too during the school holidays. I know it's just one day but it's important to me.

DH tends to work from home on the days we usually have DSS during the week so nips out to do the school pick ups and drop offs himself but he is required to be in the office the other days so can't do it on this day. I've suggested before and after school club but DSS was upset at the idea as he doesn't like going and DH thinks I'd be mean to make him go when I'm potentially at home or at least off work anyway.

So who's being unreasonable? In my mind this is a problem for DH and his ex to sort and I'm pretty adamant right now that I'm not getting involved.

OP posts:
funinthesun19 · 18/09/2022 14:08

Ok. Point made and point taken.

Liorae · 18/09/2022 15:02

Doingprettywellthanks · 17/09/2022 16:37

It’s not “for me”

I make a sacrifice. For my children.

Aren't you wonderful?! All hail the queen of the mummies!

Aubriella · 18/09/2022 15:49

Doingprettywellthanks · 18/09/2022 10:55

My main take away from this thread is that some posters must spend hours on mumsnet every day!

You’ve posted like 30 times on this thread yourself. That’s huge.

Doingprettywellthanks · 18/09/2022 15:55

Liorae · 18/09/2022 15:02

Aren't you wonderful?! All hail the queen of the mummies!

But did you see that I would step over and on a SC to get to my children in the event of an emergency.

So queen of the mums! Yeah, I’ll take that 😆

But goodness knows what I’d be if a step mum!

ElectronicAd7737 · 21/09/2022 22:38

YANBU. This isn't even a them problem this is the Ex's problem. His concerns begins and end with his son. It is her responsibility to work this out, that's on her. If he wants to help, that's on them.

They have perfectly adequate solutions, they're not required to like them.

Unmata · 22/09/2022 17:18

You have two children. Take the time to connect with both. This is an opportunity. Create a family and be thankful that your little one has a new potential playmate. If you love your husband you must love those who are the most important to him.

pinkyredrose · 22/09/2022 17:25

Unmata · 22/09/2022 17:18

You have two children. Take the time to connect with both. This is an opportunity. Create a family and be thankful that your little one has a new potential playmate. If you love your husband you must love those who are the most important to him.

Righto.

whumpthereitis · 22/09/2022 17:46

Unmata · 22/09/2022 17:18

You have two children. Take the time to connect with both. This is an opportunity. Create a family and be thankful that your little one has a new potential playmate. If you love your husband you must love those who are the most important to him.

She has one child. She doesn’t need to create a family, given that she already has one that operates in a way she’s quite content with until the husband tries to push her boundaries.

Why do you think giving in and doing it in one particular way, that she is obviously averse to, is going to result in a happy family? And no, loving someone does not mean you ‘must’ love anyone that he does. Weird logic.

Coffeepot72 · 22/09/2022 18:04

You have two children. Take the time to connect with both. This is an opportunity. Create a family and be thankful that your little one has a new potential playmate. If you love your husband you must love those who are the most important to him.

Ha ha ha

Grannyto6 · 22/09/2022 21:13

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Grannyto6 · 22/09/2022 21:17

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VroomVrooom · 22/09/2022 21:36

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Are you saying that to yourself? Grin

SalviaOfficinalis · 22/09/2022 21:47

VroomVrooom · 22/09/2022 21:36

Are you saying that to yourself? Grin

There was a thread where the OP had unwittingly given herself advice on a thread she’d posted a few years previously.

4 mins previously is more impressive though 😁

HandbagsnGladrags · 22/09/2022 22:27

Maybe she meant to name change to back herself up as no one else has 😂

Unmata2 · 22/09/2022 23:21

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Grann I say that about my step kids all the time. Yes it's true the connection with .y biological son is more visceral however in my eyes i have three kids and knowing that my husband loves them , since i love him, i know and respect what is most important to him..

My two boys one biological and one step son have each other and i am so grateful for that.

Being a step mom in a way is harder than being a mom. Often I thought I have no rights only responsibilities. My reward is the love of these kids and seeing them grow.. how else could you build from the start a family if it is so fragmented and so many fences are put up?

Momforbud · 23/09/2022 12:40

Please remember that you entered into a serious relationship with your S.O. and you knew he had a child yet you chose to be with this man and in doing so you became his partner and a considerate partner would care about their partners child. The ex is bettering herself which can only benefit the child so I don't see why you can't "inconvenience" yourself to help out. Did you ever consider your l.o. would enjoy having older sibling around more? Imagine waiting and doing something fun with both of them after school. And as a mom of 3 idk where you plan to take your very young toddler that you can't complete a full activity in less than a school day but on days you do have plans that go longer then maybe have s.o. figure it out on those specific days? I truly see no valid reason why you (as a wife as well as step mother) shouldn't be willing to help out because at the end of the day that child is still YOURS as well. I understand you wanting to spend time with your blood child and the circumstances around it, as well as the split in finances, but you can't use that as an excuse to not be supportive of a need your spouse has (even if it's due to the exes choices). In summary, you have every right to say no but in doing so you are proving to your spouse that neither his needs nor his firstborn child's needs are important to you and you have no desire to help when the need arises. If you aren't trying to be a partner in all aspects of life then maybe you should consider trying the single mom thing and see what happens .. do you think you would be able to still enjoy a day off of work to spend time with your l.o. if you weren't splitting bills and had the bulk of them on your shoulders? I'm just asking. Ask yourself, does your ex make any sacrifices for you? If so maybe remember those the next time you want to be selfish (relationships aren't for selfish people, that's why it's called a PARTNER). Whatever you choose, it is your life and your relationship. Good luck.

lickenchugget · 23/09/2022 12:49

Please remember that you entered into a serious relationship with your S.O. and you knew he had a child yet you chose to be with this man and in doing so you became his partner and a considerate partner would care about their partners child. The ex is bettering herself which can only benefit the child so I don't see why you can't "inconvenience" yourself to help out.

Why should the ex better herself at the expense of OP.

Musti · 23/09/2022 12:54

I remember when my eldest started school, it really affected what I did with the younger kids as had the school runs etc.

once your ds starts school it won’t really make much difference, but now it will.

stick to your guns. If she wants to work he can go to after school club and breakfast club for one day. It’s not a big deal and will probably enjoy it. Definitely enjoy it more than being with a woman and a young child!

PerfectlyPreservedQuagaarWarrior · 23/09/2022 12:56

I cannot imagine being married to a spouse who I could not count on for the really important things....

Like looking after his own kid?

Deadfast32 · 23/09/2022 13:39

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Musti · 23/09/2022 13:40

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Always the wimmin’s fault. Piss off you jerk.

pinkyredrose · 23/09/2022 13:51

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Funny how men are never accused of putting thier careers before their kids.

Aubriella · 23/09/2022 13:54

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Why isn't the man selfish for not reducing his hours from 5 days to 4 days to look after his own son? Why is this a woman's responsibility, any woman?

lickenchugget · 23/09/2022 14:06

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Lol, so a stepmum should put a stepkid before herself, even more so than it’s actual parents. Right then 🤣

Unmata2 · 24/09/2022 16:03

Grann I say that about my step kids all the time. Yes it's true the connection with .y biological son is more visceral however in my eyes i have three kids and knowing that my husband loves them , since i love him, i know and respect what is most important to him..

My two boys one biological and one step son have each other and i am so grateful for that.

Being a step mom in a way is harder than being a mom. Often I thought I have no rights only responsibilities. My reward is the love of these kids and seeing them grow.. how else could you build from the start a family if it is so fragmented and so many fences are put up?