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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Daughter rejection :(

203 replies

James365 · 17/10/2023 11:41

Hi, let me start by stating that I’m not looking for sympathy and understanding. I just want to get this off my chest and listen to any advice that may be on offer.

To cut a very long story short, my now 20 year old daughter wants nothing to do with me. This has gone on for ten years and has even gone through the courts when she was younger. I don’t feel like I’ve done anything wrong to cause this. In fact, quite the opposite.

At the end of the day, what point would there be in me writing an anonymous post on this forum if it was full of lies? So please, dear reader, bear with me...

I come from a very stable and healthy background with good morals, strong work ethics and I believe I brought my daughter up well. Her mother meanwhile has been in and out of mental institutions all her life and at one point even admitted to the police her intentions to take my daughter’s life. My belief is that since our divorce 12 years ago, my ex wife has manipulated my daughter through jealousy and her own mental condition to turn her against me. I’ve been reading about Children with Narcissistic Parental Alienation Syndrome along with Children with Personality Disorders and this pretty much sums this all up.

During the past ten years, I don’t feel like I’ve interfered or gone out of my way to cause any problems. But each time I’ve tried to rebuild relations with my daughter I’m eventually met with rejection. This has lasted for so long because I’ve been determined not to give up. However, my daughter has now expressly told me once and for all that she wants nothing more to do with me. Why? Who knows?! I honestly have absolutely no idea. I know for a fact I’m not a bad person. I don’t drink, smoke or take drugs. I have always had a very good and stable job and have never shunned my responsibilities.

I have another daughter with whom I have a perfectly normal relationship with which goes even further in trying to justify my other daughter’s decision. It’s all very frustrating.

So now here’s the crunch. This is the bit that’s made me want to write this post. Despite my daughter’s complete rejection, she is still expecting me to pay her mobile phone bill. It may not seem like much. And money-wise, it isn’t a lot. But in principal I’m struggling to get my head around the cheek of it. She doesn’t want anything to do with me but still expects me to put my hand in my pocket. This is coming from a 20 year old woman who is perfectly capable of getting a job on the side of her uni studies to pay for things like this. Not to mention my late father leaving her a five-figure sum in his will 2 years ago.

Do you see where I’m coming from? Am I being unreasonable to expect her to pay for her own phone use?

It’s pointless having a conversation with her mother and she just repeats how poor she is herself (despite taking regular overseas holidays) and can’t believe that I would even consider stopping paying for the phone bill.

I’m at the point now where I’m considering altering my will to write my daughter out and leave everything to my other daughter. When I eventually die, there will be a considerable sum left behind and I’m struggling to understand why my daughter that has rejected me for ten years should in any way benefit from it. Do you?

Thank you for reading.

OP posts:
Dairymilkandtea · 17/10/2023 14:07

bemorelemmy · 17/10/2023 14:00

My mother- in her 70s now- had mental health/personality issues- so very draining for those around her- she's pretty good at reining it in now as this is the only way she can have a relationship with me (deep down I know she thinks she's done nothing wrong though!)
It took me until I was about 28 for the scales to fall from my eyes, for me to see just how difficult a person she was. I always thought she was uniquely unlucky, the world was against her.
Hopefully the penny will drop for your daughter in the next few years
As you say, there's no point in lying on an anonymous forum, so I'm just going to go with what you've said
children can easily be groomed/manipulated by a parent- I know I was
I think I would keep paying the phone bill and keep her in the will for now: 20 is still very young- she's a kid, really- so much could change and if she's anything like I was, she's likely very immature/insecure at present.

I agree completely with this, dont give up on your daughter.

LongTimeListener1 · 17/10/2023 14:08

Tinklyheadtilt · 17/10/2023 14:04

Or it could be you predisposed (like a few other posters here) to putting the boot into any men that post here, but will give women the benefit of the doubt.

That may or may not be true. It doesn’t change the veracity of OP’s observation that they’re entirely blameless. Keep up the good fight though.

lotusfruit · 17/10/2023 14:08

Pm'd you

Pinkdelight3 · 17/10/2023 14:09

It's beyond ridiculous to expect to get two sides of any story on a forum like this, and the comments are just tedious.

It's being said so that the OP can perhaps take those perspectives on board and reflect on the other sides to the story. His comment about having no reason to make things up would suggest that he wasn't super self-aware. Apologies if that's not entertaining but it's a valid point that you're missing if you think it's about ridiculous expectations.

pinkfondu · 17/10/2023 14:09

I think if you truly believe she has been brainwashed and has been harmed mentally by her mother you are making a mistake. Set a timescale if you like, but I think it's still quite early to draw a line, same with your Will.

momtoboys · 17/10/2023 14:11

BrokenBonesStixStones · 17/10/2023 11:55

Reasonable to stop paying her phone bill but I wouldn't cut her out of the will

I find this very interesting because my thought was exactly the opposite. Pay her phone bill until she is done with Uni. Tell her in advance of that plan. Cut her out of your will. If what you say is true she is only your daughter biologically. No one could blame you if she doesn't benefit after she has told you she want no contact.

Notmetoo · 17/10/2023 14:13

You are not being unreasonable to stop paying her phone bill but you will be very unreasonable if you write her out if your will. She is still your child

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 17/10/2023 14:13

Honestly, @James365, if you can afford it, I would suggest you go on paying her phone bill. If nothing else, it leaves the door open a tiny crack for her to come back into your life at some point.

On the other hand, if you stop paying her phone bill, whilst carrying on supporting her sister, she will perceive that as a real rejection which could harden her attitude even further - something I am sure you want to avoid.

Tinklyheadtilt · 17/10/2023 14:15

LongTimeListener1 · 17/10/2023 14:08

That may or may not be true. It doesn’t change the veracity of OP’s observation that they’re entirely blameless. Keep up the good fight though.

No, but again would you questions a woman if she was saying she wasn't at fault at all. Yeah, exactly.

VWdieselnightmare · 17/10/2023 14:16

LongTimeListener1 · 17/10/2023 11:47

I don’t doubt the sincerity with which you wrote this, but I’m sceptical of any story which is so one-sided and doesn’t acknowledge any failings. It’s hard to give much advice on that basis.

This.

WhamBamThankU · 17/10/2023 14:16

@James365

Hi OP, I am a mum who has been alienated by the other parent for no reason other than he hates me and wants me to suffer so I believe your story. Personally I'd pay the phone bill to keep the connection there that you care from afar, it's a stance I've taken with a few things I continue to pay for. I'd also keep her in your will, as alienated parents we can only hope the kids come back to us at some point down the line. Remember this isn't your daughters fault. She's been used as a weapon by the person she should be able to trust most, and that won't be a quick thing to come to terms with. I hope your daughter comes back eventually. Good luck.

sonshineandshowers · 17/10/2023 14:17

If you think your daughter has been brainwashed by your ex, don't cut her out of the will. If you think she's made the wrong decision independently and you want to punish her or make her to change her mind, using your financial powder sounds like the best option.

She might not be as easily bought as you assume.

Is one of the reasons you were able to build up such wealth because your ex had to manage the childcare predominantly by herself?

I think you sound quite shallow and controlling personally and I reckon there's a lot more to this than you're letting on.

LongTimeListener1 · 17/10/2023 14:17

Tinklyheadtilt · 17/10/2023 14:15

No, but again would you questions a woman if she was saying she wasn't at fault at all. Yeah, exactly.

Sure I would. Point me to a thread you’d like me to comment on and if it meets that description I’ll be happy to do so and maybe you can something else to get exercised on the internet about.

Lookingatthesunset · 17/10/2023 14:17

Pinkdelight3 · 17/10/2023 14:09

It's beyond ridiculous to expect to get two sides of any story on a forum like this, and the comments are just tedious.

It's being said so that the OP can perhaps take those perspectives on board and reflect on the other sides to the story. His comment about having no reason to make things up would suggest that he wasn't super self-aware. Apologies if that's not entertaining but it's a valid point that you're missing if you think it's about ridiculous expectations.

It's superfluous and irrelevant.

Just ask questions instead if you want to become involved in the thread. If not, just scroll on.

Thisisreallyme · 17/10/2023 14:18

I think if you can comfortably afford to contribute towards her phone bill then you should. After all this connection may well be the link to you and your daughter having a relationship again one day. This may even be an excuse on your daughters part to keep in touch( without admitting it to anyway). It sounds like life has been hard for all of you, and your daughter has struggled significantly.
She’s still very young- let her know you’ll always be there for her no matter what.

LongTimeListener1 · 17/10/2023 14:20

Lookingatthesunset · 17/10/2023 14:17

It's superfluous and irrelevant.

Just ask questions instead if you want to become involved in the thread. If not, just scroll on.

Suggesting OP engages in a bit of self-reflection on his relationship with his daughter in a thread where OP is asking about his relationship with his daughter is neither superfluous or irrelevant.

Coffeebutter · 17/10/2023 14:20

You want a relationship with her, the ONLY expectation she has of you currently is a phone bill.
Do you, if you truly want to keep a connection with her, think it wise to burn the only bridge you have to build on?
She’s your daughter, you can’t operate on a give and take mentality.
Ultimately, whenever a relationship breaks down with a child it’s always the parent fault however hard that truth sits.
You are very keen to declare your “innocence” in this sad story. Ultimately, was there something you did or didn’t do or more you could have done ?

Writing her off financially over a small cost of phone bill is IMO not worth it .

Did you manage to ask her your questions?
offer therapy together

However impossible she is: NEVER give up
she feels abandoned by you and is hurting no doubt.

has your other child good contact with her ?
could this be explored ?

horseyhorsey17 · 17/10/2023 14:21

Life is rarely cut and dried. My parents divorced when I was 5, and my mum remarried and my stepdad subsequently cut my dad out of my life, even changing my surname to his and telling everyone he was my bio dad. My sister and I had to go along with this lie. I also wasn't allowed to see my dad other than every 8 weeks (court order) and he wasn't allowed to ring the house or give me any presents. He and my stepdad once had a fistfight in a car park on handover day.

But even though my dad was very unfairly treated, I didn't really know him (as he'd been in and out of psychiatric hospitals while I was a baby) so it was like visiting a stranger. He was also a very strange man, and what with that and the fact that I knew my mum and stepdad hated me having any relationship with him, it was the easiest option to reject him altogether and cut him out of my life. In fact I didn't do that, as I felt so guilty that I did try and have a relationship with him, but it never worked out as he just guilt-tripped me and slagged off my mum and stepdad every time I saw him. They hated the fact I wouldn't completely reject him too. In the end, it ruined my relationship with every parent I had, and I left home (well was kicked out) at 18. My real dad never paid a single penny in child support and always said he didn't want to 'buy my love.' He certainly didn't do that! Never had a thing from him.

So the moral of this story is: your daughter may have simply decided it's easier not having a relationship with you but that doesn't mean you should blame her or guilt trip her. Are all the adults behaving like adults in this scenario, or are they being pricks? Only you know the answer really. Good luck.

QueenOfTheLabyrinth · 17/10/2023 14:21

Pinkdelight3 · 17/10/2023 12:24

Of course the partner of a man in OP's position will share that perspective, and think it's right to cut the DD out of the will. But again that won't be the whole story. The nice guy being too soft and the ex and DC being completely wrong - truth usually lies somewhere in the middle and is hard to see from the inside.

Nope, sometimes the truth is the truth whether you’re on the inside, outside or bloody upside down.

Like I said, I would agree with you in normal circumstances but my partner is in the same situation as the OP in that he is also trying to co-parent with someone who suffers with their mental health - maybe you missed that part in the OP? He specifically mentions personality disorders.

Anyone who has any experience of dealing with people who suffer with personality disorders - which can include symptoms like paranoia and delusions - knows that no, there isn’t always another side to the story and no the truth isn’t always somewhere in the middle.

Lookingatthesunset · 17/10/2023 14:22

OK, @James365 - some of these posts are just irritating!!!

So maybe you could clear up a few points, if you want any advice instead of having your balls handed to you.

  1. What caused you and your ex to split up?
  2. What were the access arrangements?
  3. How much involvement did you have in your children's lives?
  4. How come you have a good relationship with one daughter and not the other?
  5. Do you think your ex has tried to poison them against you? If so, why do you think one was more susceptible than the other?
  6. Do you think that you could have behaved differently in any way to improve the relationship?
  7. Did one daughter feel the other was favoured over her?
  8. Does your NC daughter have any health issues, particularly mental health issues?
  9. What does your daughter you have a relationship with think about the situation?
  10. Are you in conflict with your ex, or is it amicable now?
  11. Did you ever have a fall out with your NC DD?
Pebbledashery · 17/10/2023 14:24

I think you need to look at things objectively here OP. Yes, she is an adult and should be paying her own phone bill. However, this is possibly the only link you now have to her. I wouldn't sever that. Keep showing her you care, even if it's using you for the phone bill.
None of us can cast aspersions as to the veracity of what you are posting and whether something deeper has gone on, but I think you need to look at this objectively rather than punitively.

SurprisedWithAHorse · 17/10/2023 14:24

Tinklyheadtilt · 17/10/2023 14:15

No, but again would you questions a woman if she was saying she wasn't at fault at all. Yeah, exactly.

Oh good God, enough of your silly tantrum. If you didn't realise that a female-oriented website centres women then that's on you. Go pretty much anywhere else if you can't handle it. The issue here is a bloke who's given an obviously incomplete account of why his daughter won't speak to him and is more concerned with money that he says isn't a problem for him than his relationship with his daughter. Take your derailing elsewhere.

Sumtimesiamgreen · 17/10/2023 14:24

I don’t buy this narrative.
Pure parental love doesn’t come with conditions, it’s comes with patience and no expectations. To stop paying her phone bill and writing her out of your will is punishment for not towing along with you. For this reason, your version of reality is just one perspective.

ActDottie · 17/10/2023 14:24

Yanbu in that she expects you pay her phone bill.

I think paying her phone bill will keep the door open a bit and maybe say ok while she’s at uni and then see whether she’s up for contact after. I think it just depends how much you are also ready to give up on the relationship.

Lookingatthesunset · 17/10/2023 14:24

LongTimeListener1 · 17/10/2023 14:20

Suggesting OP engages in a bit of self-reflection on his relationship with his daughter in a thread where OP is asking about his relationship with his daughter is neither superfluous or irrelevant.

That's NOT what so many posters are saying. They are complaining the post is one-sided. Of fucking course it is!!