Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Who is being unreasonable? Helping out with childcare

329 replies

mortitiaaddams · 29/12/2022 23:57

A and B have worked together for 25+ years. Originally in a very intense 1:1 environment- think NHS. Now less so but still in the same environment. B is married to C.

B and C are godparents to A's DD. A had her DD while single. A didn't realise she was pregnant until very late and had no real plans for raising DD as a single parent. B promised to support her.

A's DD is now 8. B and C have gone above and beyond to help out with childcare since she was born, which can be very difficult because A and B's job involves shifts and unpredictable hours. C doesn't work, so most of this is done by her. B and C's older DC also often babysit, do the school run etc, and are paid by A to do this. A's DD is treated like part of B and C's family when with them. A has always been willing to step in with B and C's DC whenever needed over the years, but this has been much less as C has always been home with the DC.

B is very involved with A's DD- will go to all her sports fixtures, school plays, recitals etc. B and C's DC have started to resent this, because B often missed out on these when they were growing up. This was usually due to work at the time, but B now doesn't make the same effort to get to things for younger DC and DGC that he does for A's DD. C is no longer happy with the arrangement, feels that B is too involved with A's DD and they are having her too often.

A's DD has a sports fixture coming up and needs to be accompanied by a parent/other responsible adult. The fixture is a long drive away and will take up the whole weekend. B has volunteered to take A's DD, as she will be working that weekend. C isn't happy as she wasn't asked first. The sports fixture will likely be one of many next year.

C feels that B is putting helping out A and her DD above his own family, and wants A to sort her own childcare from now on. A and B feel that B and the older DC have been volunteering (and the older DC are being paid) and as long as B is happy to be involved, the arrangement should continue.

Who is being unreasonable?

OP posts:
sobby · 01/01/2023 13:35

Has there been a paternity test as it sounds like there is a little more to the ABC story. I know I’m being harsh but I personally think that there is something more to it with A and B

Would prefer to use names as it’s very difficult to follow. Had to read every one’s comments to get a better understanding of it all.

IAteTheLastOne · 01/01/2023 15:54

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Mama0nion · 03/01/2023 01:32

I'm sorry to tell you that police are notoriously all sleeping with one another. To put you and your kids on the backfoot saying that you are being 'jealous' of another woman, when you are raising genuine and reasonable concerns about their relationship with your husband/father, is incredibly manipulative. With experience of the UK police and the really insidious culture of affairs, lying and coverups, I can pretty much tell you 100% that these two have had or are having an affair and that most likely all

Notamum12345577 · 18/08/2023 13:02

mortitiaaddams · 30/12/2022 19:22

They're police. She's actually just eligible for retirement, she had her DD very late. Although I can see her holding off for a few more years. I imagine she probably can't afford to retire yet. DH's attitude seems to be we/I've done it this long and it won't be for much longer, so it would be unreasonable to mess with the current arrangement now.

She doesn't have the option to opt out of nights/antisocial shifts. Others have made it work as single parents, but have relied on family support. She doesn't have contact with her family.

Have things changed now OP, 8 months later?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread