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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DH won't let DSD husband in our house

97 replies

tryandtryagain · 22/07/2023 23:07

Me and DH have been together for 22yrs we have a adult DS together and he has a DD from previous marriage. I've pretty much bought her up with him and her DM and me and DSD for the past few years have had a close relationship. She is now married and has a DD toddler herself.
A year or so ago her and her DH had some troubles and she stayed with us a few days with the baby. DH has never been keen on her DH and I felt he loved the fact they weren't getting on and wanted her to split. She went home to him and got counselling and now are generally happy it seems. The issue is since the trouble my DH refuses to let her DH in our home which means I can only see her on my one day off a week.
She works in the evenings and usually has busy weekends with DH and his family. I really miss them all coming over for dinner and seeing my DGD as a family. DH won't budge. He wants her and her daughter to come on their own. She wants to come as a family with her DH. It doesn't help that since she got married DH hasn't keep in touch with her and apparently hasn't text her in months. I know he hasn't seen her in around 6 months. I just feel so sad about it. It's starting to really make me resent DH.
Any advice on how to handle this ?

OP posts:
ConnieTucker · 23/07/2023 12:08

AngryGreasedSantaCatcus · 23/07/2023 11:44

@tryandtryagain given your updates, I don't understand why you're so surprised at his behaviour. It's obvious his relationship with his daughter was always about him ,what he wanted,how he wanted it.

So you either put your foot down or watch the same pattern continue,now with a grandchild in the mix. I expect a rift between you and your DSD too eventually, as it's difficult enough already to maintain a close relationship.

This. He was an awful parent. Your sdd is better going nc or lc with him. You need to alter your routine on order to see them without him.

id also have massive concerns about her dh given he is emotionally abusive. And police diagnosing depression! Wow arent they highly trained these days…

Beachwalker66 · 23/07/2023 12:09

Your DH sounds like a total knob.

What would your life be like if you split?

CuriouslyDifferent · 23/07/2023 12:09

My experience is that when a guy takes a dislike to another guy where the daughter is involved…. Trust the guy.

Guys are good at picking out the a holes, maybe it’s partly because they see bits of themselves….

The thread to pull at, in detail, is why. Try and get to the bottom of his understanding. I’d guess It’s likely to be protective. Then, take it to the point, that if he wishes to be protective, he needs to be in her life and someone she can call on for help when she needs it, because if he is right, she is going to need her dad.

TheCatterall · 23/07/2023 12:09

Why did you stay when he was a crappy father to both your son and his daughter?

why do you stay now? Habit? Ease?

When you look at this man and think of the partner and father figure he is do you think to yourself how much you love him and how grateful you are he’s in your life?

imagine you split up and all the messy but, the finances were sorted. You live on your own. You can do what you want… what would that feel like?

London22 · 23/07/2023 12:18

People tend to seek out relationships with those who they're familiar with. Your husband being emotionally unavailable, is why his daughter had found a similar partner.

I can see why your husband is against the boyfriend. In no other area of life would someone be able to "threaten suicide, threaten to cause damage and have police involvement" and still be expected to just get over it. But in relationships it's minimised and acceptable. Your step daughter's boyfriend behaviour have been minimised and justified because he was young and stressed. Yet her dad is saying hold up why are we acting like what he done is ok. Yet the daughter wants everyone to move past it for the sake of the relationship.

Speaking from experience I was glad when some of my family would get over the toxic abuse incidents that I would tell them. On one hand it made my life easier. But on the other it had a very negative and profound effect as it meant that I didn't seek out their support anymore. But that was worse as it meant the isolation escalated. But I had family who were not prepared for me to be isolated so they kept the peace for my sake. But that was actually worse for us, as it meant this demon was escalating the emotional abuse instead and seeing that he would be "forgiven" and could get away with it. In retrospective I'm glad I had a few family members who refused to minimise it as it kept me focused and not allowing the abuse to be downplayed. When you're in that cycle and fog you don't think logically, you live in this weird bubble which is what I suspect your step daughter is doing. As tbh as it's been pointed out already by PPs the cycle has already begun. Her feelings about her dad and his past behaviour are valid, but they should not be her sole focus, so she can just minimise abuse that she has dealt with in her relationship. I used to do that, focus on others behaviours, as it was the one thing I felt at the time that I was able to control.

I would suggest you stay in regular contact make the effort to meet at the park etc and explain to your husband that she is at risk of being abused and you can't afford to isolate her further. If you make a plan to have regular contact perhaps away from the home, it means when her partner at some point starts to isolate her by niggling in her ear not to visit her family as her dad doesn't like him, you'll be able to pick up the pattern and nip it in the bud.

Sorry for the long post, but I can see how this will play out and I wished it could be stopped before it becomes her normal. xx

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 23/07/2023 12:31

tryandtryagain · 23/07/2023 11:09

He's never been a great parent. Our son has a terrible relationship with him. He's a bit picker and has lots of "jokes" with our son that aren't funny and he just tries to keep out of his way most of the time. Me and my DS are really close and he tells me everything he's autistic but functioning with a full time job. He's done so well in life despite a terrible time at school. I often see my friends husbands with their kids and feel so sad. My brother in law is always with his GC and when I see photos at the park or farm or birthday parties I want to cry. At my GD birthday I had to go alone not that it's a problem me and my DHex get on really well she's a lovely woman. It's not always been easy but we get in great over the last few years.

Why do you stay with him? He sounds like an absolute knob.

And it's no wonder his DD has stayed with her partner when she's absolutely used to men going NC and being abusive when they're not getting their own way.

Sounds like you'd all be far better off without him in your lives.

Nellynoowhoareyou · 23/07/2023 12:45

He’s nasty and controlling. Do you ever stand up to him?

tryandtryagain · 23/07/2023 13:04

Thanks for your replies and I am reading them and listening.
I have started in the last few years standing up for myself but he gets defensive , makes excuses for behaviour and tells me I do got it all wrong. He then sulks for days and Gerry stones me which I hate and sets off my anxiety. I'm already taking medication for this. He knows I'll cave eventually he may give me "sorry" but I literally have to prise it out of him. He is never ever wrong. It's so draining

OP posts:
tryandtryagain · 23/07/2023 13:05

tryandtryagain · 23/07/2023 13:04

Thanks for your replies and I am reading them and listening.
I have started in the last few years standing up for myself but he gets defensive , makes excuses for behaviour and tells me I do got it all wrong. He then sulks for days and Gerry stones me which I hate and sets off my anxiety. I'm already taking medication for this. He knows I'll cave eventually he may give me "sorry" but I literally have to prise it out of him. He is never ever wrong. It's so draining

Sorry grey stones me. I need to check my spelling

OP posts:
ohdelay · 23/07/2023 13:11

I'm with your husband, I would never play happy families with someone who had abused my child and I would never forgive them or let them in my home.

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 23/07/2023 13:17

ohdelay · 23/07/2023 13:11

I'm with your husband, I would never play happy families with someone who had abused my child and I would never forgive them or let them in my home.

You;d be giving them exactly what they want and unwittingly assisting their isolation of your child with such a set stance

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 23/07/2023 13:21

tryandtryagain · 23/07/2023 13:04

Thanks for your replies and I am reading them and listening.
I have started in the last few years standing up for myself but he gets defensive , makes excuses for behaviour and tells me I do got it all wrong. He then sulks for days and Gerry stones me which I hate and sets off my anxiety. I'm already taking medication for this. He knows I'll cave eventually he may give me "sorry" but I literally have to prise it out of him. He is never ever wrong. It's so draining

Tbh your subsequent posts make things much clearer,

Your husband is emotionally abusive to all of you. Explains a lot.

Would you consider speaking to Womens Aid?

ohdelay · 23/07/2023 13:22

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 23/07/2023 13:17

You;d be giving them exactly what they want and unwittingly assisting their isolation of your child with such a set stance

I dont care, I won't pretend and condone

AngryGreasedSantaCatcus · 23/07/2023 13:28

@ohdelay then you're putting your principles above the wellbeing and safety of your children.

ohdelay · 23/07/2023 13:30

Or I'm not contributing to the "who knew? he was such a nice guy" narrative that abusers like to keep going till they do something really awful. He would never be welcome and I'd tell people why

Mayhem3 · 23/07/2023 13:39

ohdelay · 23/07/2023 13:30

Or I'm not contributing to the "who knew? he was such a nice guy" narrative that abusers like to keep going till they do something really awful. He would never be welcome and I'd tell people why

My friends DP was not welcome in my home because he was a violent bully and I couldn’t sit there and play nice knowing what he had put my friend through.

Yes it’s her choice to be with him but that doesn’t mean I have to play along too.
She already had enough gas lighting off him, I wasn’t going to do it too.

If you play along then you are telling that person that it’s ok to be treated like that and that he can do what he wants and we’ll still treat him like he’s one of the family and laugh and joke with him.

tryandtryagain · 23/07/2023 13:42

ohdelay · 23/07/2023 13:11

I'm with your husband, I would never play happy families with someone who had abused my child and I would never forgive them or let them in my home.

I'm not trying to play happy families. I'm not asking my DH to like him. Just accept they are together and be happy to see his daughter and GD. Son in law isn't a big talker anyway he would expect to be friendly and matey x

OP posts:
Feverly · 23/07/2023 13:47

The actual issue is your husband is a scumbag who’s hugely damaged his daughter and the son you had with him. Instead of divorcing the abuser you’re medicating yourself through his ongoing abuse. It’s not sustainable.

Nellynoowhoareyou · 23/07/2023 14:12

@ohdelay where has OP stated the DSD’s OH was abusive? As far as I can see, she has stated that he was NOT abusive but suffering from MH issues, that they were both young and struggling and are happy now. Why would you make life difficult for your child in this situation?

caringcarer · 23/07/2023 14:42

Jongleterre · 23/07/2023 07:52

Pig headed stubbornness is not a nice trait.

He needs to suck it up and accept that his daughter and her family now come as a package.

This. I'd be telling him it is my house too and I'm inviting them all over for dinner. He can choose to be present in which case he is accepting or if not go out for the evening.

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 23/07/2023 14:45

ohdelay · 23/07/2023 13:30

Or I'm not contributing to the "who knew? he was such a nice guy" narrative that abusers like to keep going till they do something really awful. He would never be welcome and I'd tell people why

So you'd put principles before your child's safety and well being... Nice.

Thank fuck my grandparents cared more about us than their need to be right and outspoken as that's what kept us safe in the end.

tryandtryagain · 23/07/2023 15:40

@YetMoreNewBeginnings I'd feel a fraud talking to women's aid. He's been like this forever and I stuck with him to try and make a go of things for the family and me but put seems like now the kids are questioning why I stay with him. This is why I am now thinking harder about the situation. I don't think I personally am being abused I just think he can not be very nice and thoughtless selfish at times.

OP posts:
YetMoreNewBeginnings · 23/07/2023 16:38

tryandtryagain · 23/07/2023 15:40

@YetMoreNewBeginnings I'd feel a fraud talking to women's aid. He's been like this forever and I stuck with him to try and make a go of things for the family and me but put seems like now the kids are questioning why I stay with him. This is why I am now thinking harder about the situation. I don't think I personally am being abused I just think he can not be very nice and thoughtless selfish at times.

That you don’t think you’re being abused is exactly why you should talk to Women’s Aid.

He’s emotionally abusive to you and the children. Often there are things going on that we don’t even realise ourselves are part of the problem because they get so normalised.

When you start challenging your abuser and they lose their control it is the most dangerous point. Good advice from Women’s aid won’t lose you anything, but it might just help with a few things.

pinkyredrose · 23/07/2023 19:30

Are you actually happy with him? You're already on medication ffs.

tryandtryagain · 23/07/2023 21:36

@pinkyredrose no at the moment I'm not happy. I go through stages of being positive and then extremely unhappy. He lets me down so often.

OP posts:
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