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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Dads behaviour and relationship since my mum died

147 replies

Kevinthebird007 · 28/11/2022 16:07

As a background, my dad has always told me he was bisexual. He has had both male and female relationships during his life, but since 1985 had been with my mum. Sadly she passed away from cancer last year after a short battle with the disease. They were happy, but dad had periods of time in prison for fraud, obtaining funds by deception etc. The last time he was in prison was in 2015 for 6 months. He missed his own 70th, my DS1s 1st and my 30th. I was also aware that my dad was messaging men explicit messages while with my mum because on occasion he would accidentally send them to me.
My mum passed away in October 2021 and in january of this year dad declared he had met someone; a 28 year old young man that he'd bumped into in a hotel and they'd got chatting. Things seemed to escalate quickly, with the chap visiting my dad's home and staying for periods of time. Whereas my dad had said my children and I couldn't sit in my mums chair, this chap could which upset me. They went out for lots of dinners etc but he assured me that they were splitting bills and that actually his new partner was from a wealthy background studying a PhD so had no need to gold dig. A couple of months in, dad told me that his partner had asked him to move up to Manchester to be with him. I suggested this wasn't a good idea, he'd be far away from all friends and family. He told me that he wouldn't, then said he was using some money from my mums estate to buy the house he was in so that we could inherit it when the time came. A month later my dad called me begging for money saying that he needed it for a house exchange in Manchester. I refused. I had no money to offer and I didn't approve of him moving up there. He told me that the relationship had then ended because of that. A few weeks later dad called saying he was getting death threats etc from a man he owed money to. I had calls from neighbours and strangers (I live 3 hrs from dad) saying he owed them money, that he'd taken deposits from people for them to move into the house only for him to then disappear etc. I then found out he hadn't bought the house he was in at all. He's spent all of my mums estate (nearly £600k) and the remainder in shares he can't release. He's spent savings my mum had built up for my children, he's also spent a house deposit mum had left to me. He stole money from my uncle (my mums brother) including off of bank cards, credit cards etc while he was in hospital and my uncle has since died. My cousins now hate my dad and have cut him off. I have now found that the partner was an escort. Dad tells me he never met him as an escort but during the time they were together this guy would msg him asking for money and dad would give it, selling and stealing whatever he could. It also transpires the guy was 20,not 28. My dad is 77.

I am the only person my dad has left. I feel guilty because I don't want him with us at Christmas as I hate him for what he's done. He's my dad and I love him but he's driven a truck through my mums memory and made a mess of our lives. Do I invite him for Christmas? Or do i stick to my guns. AIBU?

OP posts:
Soothsayer1 · 28/11/2022 17:30

I have brought all of this up with him and he tells me I'm being dramatic or I'm making things up or that I'm not so perfect myself as I've done x,y or z
he is unable to empathize, do not trust or confide in him, any information you give him will be used to exploit you, he cant help it that's just his automatic way of being
they sound neglectful & very inadequate as parents, none of it is your fault, please dont let him damage you further

mumonthehill · 28/11/2022 17:31

You need to walk away. His lies and issues are not yours to deal with, they are his alone. You cannot rescue him or change him but you can look after yourself. He is manipulative and unkind and you do not need to have him for Christmas. Step back, give yourself some time and space to think about things.

Kevinthebird007 · 28/11/2022 17:36

@Soothsayer1 thank you. I sometimes find it hard to see the wood for the trees. He's very good at being the proud parent. He would always tell everyone how smart I was and when I took up stand up comedy this year he always told me he proud he is of me. But its the constant not knowing what he's doing or will do that bothers me. He is messaging men, I know that. One of them even contacted me. Apparently if I were more involved he wouldn't me so lonely and need to speak to other people.

I have no doubt he'll need money soon. I know his rent is due in December and he hasn't got anything left apart from benefits and then I don't know what I'll do.

OP posts:
Kevinthebird007 · 28/11/2022 17:40

I should probably also add, he sent me a message the other day, clearly not meant for me, of himself. Naked. It was meant for someone he's been messaging, clearly. He immediately deleted it but I'd already seen it. He then pretended he was deleting things and accidentally sent it. It's embarrassing that this is who I have for a father.

OP posts:
billy1966 · 28/11/2022 17:42

You poor woman.

Your father is amoral and a con artist whonbybthe sounds of it it has stolen from many people.

I would consider contacting the head of police in your area and querying the interference and pressure of this police officer.

None of his business and why is he trying to dissuade you from making a legitimate complaint?

Do not have your father anywhere near your home and children.

He is utterly self serving and is nothing but trouble.

His charm is just the con man in him.

He has basically used your inheritance to fund an escourt and his sexual appetite.

He's utterly disgusting.

You poor woman.

Stay away from him and his selfish choices, he's nothing but trouble and heartache for those unlucky enough to have known him.

Protect yourself and your family.

Soothsayer1 · 28/11/2022 17:42

he hasn't got anything left apart from benefits and then I don't know what I'll do
you have to refuse
if you let him he will bleed you dry and then leave you a withered husk as he scans the horizon for his next victim
dont give him the opportunity to ask, control all comms, make sure he can never turn up on your doorstep with no where to go
it's not your fault he's like that, it's not your fault that you are bonded to him but he will exploit you via that bond if you allow it

yellowlabel · 28/11/2022 17:43

Oh OP, what an awful situation you're in. Your emotions must be all over the place...love and loyalty to your dad but disgust at what he's done.

As for Christmas, what do you want to do? What would make you feel happiest? If you'd prefer to have Christmas without him then do that and have a lovely day! But likewise if you feel you want him there, then do that but I would set some very firm boundaries, for example, he's very welcome to come to dinner but he cannot stay over. He can sort himself a B&B or something.

Only you can know what you should do and what would make you happiest. You're the victim in all of this so it's got to be your choice.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your mum too. 😞

FKATondelayo · 28/11/2022 17:46

You need to go no contact for your kids sake. He is financially abusing you and getting close to you is another opportunity for financial abuse and fraud. Stop allowing this man to steal money and your emotional energy intended for your children. He has had his life - 77 narcissistic years of it in which he did exactly what he wanted.

Weirdly enough I had a financially abusive dad with a history of fraud and imprisonment and also do stand up / writing - it's great for material. Write a routine about him and start getting some of that money back.

Kevinthebird007 · 28/11/2022 17:50

@FKATondelayo that just made me cry. Not in a bad way, it's just good to know there are others and we are using our experiences in our writing. I talk about him in my set but I could certainly use it a lot more.

My mum was always very clear that you should never cut off family, people are just trying their best etc but I feel this is where my history of not putting in boundaries comes from. I am so scared of conflict I accept everything.

OP posts:
Soothsayer1 · 28/11/2022 17:51

77 narcissistic years of it
yep, life of Riley, now he's burnt out, dont let him steal any of your life force OP
and make sure that police person is kept away from you!

Kevinthebird007 · 28/11/2022 17:52

@yellowlabel sounds awful but the best Christmas we've had so far is when lockdown prevented mixing and it was just DH and our 2 DC. That's what I'd like i think. Just us. In our pyjamas taking the day as it comes. Stand-up means I'm out a lot so I'd like that day to just be about us without me having to disappear off to a gig.

OP posts:
Soothsayer1 · 28/11/2022 17:53

My mum was always very clear that you should never cut off family
she was very naïve & controlled by your tricksy father tho....she didn't know up from down!

InternetRandom · 28/11/2022 17:55

Dad as a person in one level is great - funny, conversational, a great orator

Lots of people like this are great to spend time with, but a nightmare if they're a family member or you rely on them in any way.

As a pp said, this is what your dad's been like all along. I'm sorry he has let you down so badly. Which he has. How would you feel if you'd done a tenth of this to your own kids? I suspect you would understand perfectly well why they might not invite you round for Christmas! (And, by the way, I'd bet dollars to doughnuts he would let you down to spend time with his dubious friend anyway if that were still on the table.)

I think your best approach now is to protect yourself and your children from more hurt and harm. Kids can manage without charismatic but potentially harmful, careless and selfish grandparents. They are better off without them, in fact. Next time this comes up with either your dad or anyone else (disregard the police officer, I'd be concerned they have some other agenda based on their own history with him) say you are going to do what's best for your children as they are your priority. They should get the best of your time, attention and protection from dodgy characters like your dad. He had his chance and he blew it.

IWillBeWaxingAnOwl · 28/11/2022 17:55

Kevinthebird007 · 28/11/2022 17:50

@FKATondelayo that just made me cry. Not in a bad way, it's just good to know there are others and we are using our experiences in our writing. I talk about him in my set but I could certainly use it a lot more.

My mum was always very clear that you should never cut off family, people are just trying their best etc but I feel this is where my history of not putting in boundaries comes from. I am so scared of conflict I accept everything.

Love for family is unconditional but their presence in your life, your support is conditional. People earn being in your life, including family.

mumda · 28/11/2022 17:57

Will he ruin your Christmas moreby being there or by not being there?

Quitelikeit · 28/11/2022 17:57

Where has he spent 600k in a year?

Childcare101 · 28/11/2022 17:57

Op sending you a huge hug. What an absolute mess. I'm angry at what he has done to you. If I was you I would go no contact completely he appears to be abusive and toxic and you admit you struggle with boundaries which is more reason to go no contact! Hope you are OK and move forward positively from this.

Comtesse · 28/11/2022 17:58

It is not your job to rescue him. He has messed up his own life. You are not responsible for helping him now he is in deep water. He screwed up all by himself, repeatedly, time after time. Do not jeopardise your or your family’s happiness for this nasty fraudster.

HamBone · 28/11/2022 17:58

When you say that he’s used money from your Mum’s estate, do you mean money that was left to him (but your Mum hoped would eventually come to you and your children), or money that was directly left to you?

Kevinthebird007 · 28/11/2022 18:01

@Quitelikeit this is our query
We have asked. He said he "frittered" it. He paid for us to stay in a fancy hotel last December for a night and that must have been four figures but doesn't account for the rest . He said he lost 100k in the failed house purchase but I don't see how. Its hard to know what's true and what isn't.

OP posts:
Wibbly1008 · 28/11/2022 18:02

It sounds as if he has spent his whole life doing exactly what he likes with no thought for others. I would give him Christmas Day alone to reflect and think. He has hurt you and the family, stealing from the very people he now wants support from. It would be a no from me, he had to learn no matter how old he is.

Heavyraindropsarefallingonmyhead · 28/11/2022 18:03

Kevinthebird007 · 28/11/2022 17:52

@yellowlabel sounds awful but the best Christmas we've had so far is when lockdown prevented mixing and it was just DH and our 2 DC. That's what I'd like i think. Just us. In our pyjamas taking the day as it comes. Stand-up means I'm out a lot so I'd like that day to just be about us without me having to disappear off to a gig.

Even if you take everything else out if the equation, all the lies and stealing and money etc it would still be okay to just spend Christmas day at home with your DH and children if that's what makes you happy.

Disabrie22 · 28/11/2022 18:03

OP - he clearly has some sort of personality disorder - none of this is normal. You need to keep contact to the absolute minimum - think coffee once every couple of months. He’s a grown man making an absolute disaster of a life - don’t let him make one of yours anymore.

Kevinthebird007 · 28/11/2022 18:04

@HamBone mum told me she had left specific things to me. But she never did a proper will apparently. I thought she did, but dad says not. He's only just had his own one done properly and I have a copy of that. Mum said she had specifically left two pots of money. One to me and one to my half brother
There are some other funds which she inherited from my other half brother who died 3 years ago) but dadc is having issues releasing those as he's an idiot and insists trying to handle these matters himself rather than entrusting a solicitor

OP posts:
Beancounter1 · 28/11/2022 18:04

DO NOT GIVE HIM ANY MORE MONEY.

Sorry for shouting, but really - just don't.

His rent is really, really, really not your problem.