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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU? Rubbish Parent?

103 replies

MrsR85 · 13/07/2023 20:48

Little bit of a back story. Been married for 8 years, together for over 10 I have a child 14 year old teenager from a previous relationship.

Husband is step parent, he does have a child who is now 18 and has never lived with us although he has stayed at weekends etc.

My 14 year old has had a rocky year last year, had to move schools etc, she had some trouble with some girls in her friend group, ended up isolating her and she ended up were she was really unhappy and didn’t want to go to school so moved her. She has come a long way since, and just had parents evening and she is excelling.

Husband and Daughter have always bickered with each other. My husband is very strict were-as I understand what it’s like to be a teenage girl, it’s hard!

Her room is untidy a lot of the time although I do tell her to tidy it and she reluctantly does. I tell my Husband not to go into her room as to be honest, if he does, it always ends up in a shi&tstorm as he gets so angry at the state of it. His response is, if she’s not in the house and he wants to go in her room, he will do as he pays the bills, this is his house ( I work and pay bills too).

Anyway, it all came to a head last night after work. We went into the house and he shouted her straight away and asked for her phone. Her response was why why why? He said until you have tidied your room. Her response was, I will tidy it but you haven’t asked me but I will do, she refused to hand her phone over to him.

This then resulted in him screaming and shouting at her to give him her phone, I intervened.

Afterwards, he told me when we went downstairs was when he gets her phone he will smash it, because he pays for it, he doesn’t, it comes out of our joint account.

My daughter came downstairs and he was saying, in front of her, that she doesn’t listen to him because he’s not her Dad, that she’s disrespectful, she doesn’t do as she is told and told me he can no longer cope and that’s it.

He then proceeded to say that it was parenting on my behalf and I don’t discipline her and every time he says something to her, I stick up for her. It isn’t just with her, because when his son (my stepson) used to come I also used to stick up for him aswell as I felt he goes overboard all the time with the kids.

He also stated to me “good luck in finding someone else putting up with her”

I’m not saying she’s an angel, she is a moody teenager with hormones but he is making out like she’s the worse child ever.

She does see her biological father but not often and I don’t really receive any maintenance and he gets angry at that too.

He said I’m pathetic for not seeing it and not disciplining her properly.

He said good parenting! I feel like the worlds worst Mum. I feel awful he said everything to her like that, shes only 14.

Apologies for the long post, I just feel I have nowhere to turn.

OP posts:
Mumoftwoinprimary · 14/07/2023 14:47

This is one of the best things about mumsnet. I suspect that Op knew she should leave but she has been abused by him for so long that she no longer trusts herself. And then we all come along and tell her that she is right, he is awful and that her dd deserves better.

Op - I hope that you and your dd have a much happier life as a lovely little family of two.

TheShellBeach · 14/07/2023 15:03

Well done, OP.
I got away from an abusive man many, many years ago.
You'll feel much calmer and happier without this joyless presence in both your lives.

tattygrl · 14/07/2023 15:09

MrsR85 · 14/07/2023 14:12

No we are going. We are staying with my parents this weekend. I need to search for somewhere else for us to live.

This is good to hear, well done and I wish you the best of luck Flowers

TRexTara · 14/07/2023 15:37

The only advice I can offer you at this point, is once you have left try not to parent her out of guilt. You identified this earlier. I did the same with my teenagers because I gave them a horrible dad. Counselling or family therapy might be worth looking into because being with a man like that really breaks down your self confidence. But you can do this, I hope it's not too difficult and you get some help and support. God bless.

WinterDeWinter · 14/07/2023 15:45

Well done for protecting your daughter OP. She'll remember this (and she would have remembered if you didn't ).

Madamecholetsbonnet · 14/07/2023 15:45

Obviously a very difficult situation for you OP but so glad to see a mum standing up for their DC.

Who the fuck does he think he is? All this dinosaur bollocks about he can do what he likes because he puts a roof over her head.

If her only real behavioural issue is having an untidy room, you have actually lucked out on the teenage daughter stakes. Have a read of the teenager board and thank your lucky stars for her.

What is your housing situation going forward? Do you own or rent with DH? Maybe post on relationships when the dust settles so you can get practical advice on moving forward with divorce.

LisaD1 · 14/07/2023 15:50

He sounds like a vile bully. The going in her room is just another way of him exerting his control. What does he need to be in her room for? I don’t go in my DD’s and neither does my DH, we have no need, it’s her room!

itsmylife7 · 14/07/2023 16:16

MrsR85 · 13/07/2023 21:04

She's had friends round before now and he's gone in her bedroom moaning and shouting in front of her friends. I told him to speak to her when she's on her own. She said Mum it's just embarrassing.

This is awful your poor daughter. Hes got no respect for a 14 yr old FEMALE walking in to her room when he wants.....not good.

TRexTara · 14/07/2023 16:22

Maybe when you are both in a calmer environment and settled you can have rules about her bedroom. Like a weekly clear out of cups and dirty laundry and a Hoover, then a monthly dust polish and tidy. You could take her out to buy bits and pieces like pots for her dressing table, some storage boxes and a nice mirror etc then provide her with cleaning products she likes the smell of. It could be a project for both of you. So far she has had far too much stick and not enough carrots.

But you sound like you know exactly what you are doing OP, you probably don't need my advice on that.

Teenagers are messy, especially those with ADHD. As a pp said, just look on the teenage board on here. To be honest your daughter sounds great.

SleepPrettyDarling · 14/07/2023 23:18

I applaud you @MrsR85 for preparing to leave. You are your daughter’s #1 champion and I wish you every strength and courage standing up for her and yourself.

Newmumatlast · 14/07/2023 23:23

MrsR85 · 13/07/2023 21:18

She is having assessments for ADHD at the moment, after seeing a counsellor last year about all what happened at her previous school. She referred her for ADHD assessment.

Wow. And he obviously knows this.

Sorry but if my partner spoke to my child like that I wouldn't stand for it.

Newmumatlast · 14/07/2023 23:25

Mumoftwoinprimary · 14/07/2023 14:47

This is one of the best things about mumsnet. I suspect that Op knew she should leave but she has been abused by him for so long that she no longer trusts herself. And then we all come along and tell her that she is right, he is awful and that her dd deserves better.

Op - I hope that you and your dd have a much happier life as a lovely little family of two.

Agreed.

OP take time for just you two. Don't rush into anything else. But if in time you venture back out there, know that the only people who tell you that noone else will have you are those who deep down know theyre not good enough for you

Glitterybee · 14/07/2023 23:26

Please protect your daughter! Take her side not his and stop him from going into her room.

Throckmorton · 14/07/2023 23:38

Well done on making the decision to leave him! I know it's hard, but it's for the best - you'll both be better off when he's not around abusing you both.

Noicant · 14/07/2023 23:46

Good for you OP, you and your Dd will breath easier without him standing over you.

Catsmere · 15/07/2023 03:16

He's an abusive prick, can't you get rid of him?

Catsmere · 15/07/2023 03:18

Whoops, just caught up, very glad you're leaving this toerag, OP.

pikkumyy77 · 15/07/2023 03:27

Could people not automatically side with the authoritarian abuser in the household who routinely shouts at, berates, publicly humiliates, and steals from the vulnerable child living in the house with him because her mother chose to marry him? None of what is described falls into the category of good parenting—I don’t care how messy the room is! I don’t care how “moody” she is or how hormonal! The level of anger—the threats to take and smash her phone—are absolutely inexcusable. Get her away from this terrible man and regroup from a distance.

EliflurtleTripanInfinite · 15/07/2023 03:59

MrsR85 · 14/07/2023 14:12

No we are going. We are staying with my parents this weekend. I need to search for somewhere else for us to live.

Good on you OP. I know how hard it is to see the wood from the trees in these situations but he is absolutely over stepping going into your daughter's room and the screaming at her is a horrible way to treat anyone.

Fraaahnces · 15/07/2023 04:20

I’m sorry, but if he’s going into her room when her friends are there, he’s deliberately trying to provoke her. He is antagonistic and ABSOLUTELY cooking for a fight with her. He wants to be the victim of a rude child and he is being controlling and abusive. Every child (regardless of sex) needs a safe space and he is ensuring that she doesn’t have one. Counselling or leave ASAP

Fraaahnces · 15/07/2023 04:22

Sorry - just saw that you are leaving. Thank you for saving your daughter from that man. I have a feeling that your life will improve dramatically as a result too. I bet you discover that you have been pussyfooting around him for ages and have been utterly exhausted. This will liberate you too.

Poned · 15/07/2023 04:35

I admit I was getting angry reading this post that you were living with a man that was treating your girl so badly. I am relieved to see you are leaving and hope it’s true.

This is so damaging to your daughter’s MH. My teens drive me up the wall with their mess but we don’t behave like your partner is. His rage and threats are just unpleasant.

Go and be with just your daughter. Put her first and then sort out your own issues with self-esteem and the trauma of being emotionally abused. Good luck x

sashh · 15/07/2023 05:04

OP

You and your DD are in an abusive relationship, you are doing the right thing leaving.

No grown man should be going in to a 14 year old girl's room without her permission unless it is truly life threatening like a fire.

It's just a power trip for him. If you can't leave ASAP then DD deserves a lock on her door.

Oh and when you do get out, your DD is what is known as, "a child of the family" and he will have to pay maintenance. I'd like to be a fly on the wall when he is told that.

halfpintshandypants · 15/07/2023 05:11

Its best to get him out of your house as soon as possible. It doesn’t matter if you’re soft on her or not, he’s threatening violence. He’s a danger to you both.

halfpintshandypants · 15/07/2023 05:13

Sorry, I read that you are leaving. That’s great news.