Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To stop seeing boyfriend due to his kids?

36 replies

bllackcat · 20/02/2023 14:33

Bit of background, I've been seeing someone for nearly 4 months now. He has 2 children (12 and 14) and I also have 2 (10 and 16). I have my children most of the time, but every other weekend they go to their Dads. My oldest is also usually happy to sit the youngest if required.

I need to start off by saying that the guy I'm seeing does appear to be a great Dad, and prioritises his children, which is always a good thing.

The issue (for me!) is that he doesn't have a set contact schedule. He appears to have them the majority of the time, but they come and go between his and their Mum's house. He also takes them to all of their sport, and there is a lot. Sometimes they'll decide to stay at their Mum's, but won't tell him until the last minute. I then get a call at about 5pm asking if I want to go over that evening. Now technically I could ask my oldest to have my youngest, and sometimes I do, but I would find it unfair to ask a lot, and also at very short notice.

So although I find it fantastic that he is so flexible with his kids and co-parents very well, it means it's extremely difficult to see him. We get on well but would I be unreasonable to call things off? I'm currently managing to only see him once every 7-10 days and I don't see how things can progress this way. I'm not prepared to introduce him to my children after 4 months, or ask my oldest to sit more frequently!

OP posts:
Jaxhog · 20/02/2023 16:35

But it isn't so much his kids, it's that his organizational approach is very different from yours. It's no-one's fault, but that's a problem.

blackbeardsballsack · 20/02/2023 16:36

I would end it because I would find it demeaning to be called with zero notice asking if I wanted to come over to his house. It would almost feel as if I was being summoned to provide a free sexual delivery service. He could at least take you out somewhere.

Crunchymum · 20/02/2023 16:45

I am surprised at the responses here to be honest.

So many people who couldn't cope with the chaos and lack of boundaries because he has an open door policy for his kids and prioritises their needs over his own. What a bastard he is is 😂

Are we suggesting that he tells his kids they can't come round on XYZ night as he is going out with his GF?

StressedToTheMaxxx · 20/02/2023 16:47

ittakes2 · 20/02/2023 15:40

I am not getting why his children have to be at their mums before its OK for you to visit.

Because they've only been together for 4 months and that's far too early to introduce one another to their respective kids. They barely know each other after 16 weeks.

GerbilsForever24 · 20/02/2023 16:54

Surely his DC are old enough that if he has them he can pop out for dinner with you anyway? It sounds like you're more of a FWB kind of situation - you go round to his house when his DC aren't there for a shag and a takeaway or something?

It's perfectly okay not to be with someone who you feel doesn't make the effort. And it sounds like he's making very little effort. The children are just an excuse.

BalloonInvestigator · 20/02/2023 17:00

blackbeardsballsack · 20/02/2023 16:36

I would end it because I would find it demeaning to be called with zero notice asking if I wanted to come over to his house. It would almost feel as if I was being summoned to provide a free sexual delivery service. He could at least take you out somewhere.

Quite!

I would definitely not tolerate it.

emptythelitterbox · 20/02/2023 17:05

So he's pretty much calling you over last minute expecting a shag?

Fakecrazy · 20/02/2023 17:11

It wouldn't be for me as I'd be looking for an active social life with him and weekends away etc.

CalistoNoSolo · 20/02/2023 18:36

It wouldn't work for me, but that's why I wouldn't date a man with children. He doesn't sound very invested in you OP, as a PP said, sounds more like a FWB situation. Cut your losses and move on as it won't improve.

Sunshine500 · 24/04/2023 14:25

You sound like a narcissist.
But you should dump him I’m sure you much rather go out with a guy who doesn’t see his kids so he can devote all his time to you.
You seem to think it’s ok for you but not for him to see his kids a lot of the time. You should break up with him for his sake not yours.

WhatAmIDoingWrong123 · 24/04/2023 14:32

Sunshine500 · 24/04/2023 14:25

You sound like a narcissist.
But you should dump him I’m sure you much rather go out with a guy who doesn’t see his kids so he can devote all his time to you.
You seem to think it’s ok for you but not for him to see his kids a lot of the time. You should break up with him for his sake not yours.

This was in February, whatever came of it is long done now.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page