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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Partner 'ruined' my son's birthday

305 replies

soleparent5494 · 16/01/2024 11:02

This weekend was my son's 5th birthday, he had a party at our house on Saturday and then we had small plans with family & friends on Sunday.

My partner (not my son's dad) in my opinion totally f!cked the weekend up with his behaviour, and I feel totally betrayed that my son's birthday wasn't prioritised. Typically this type of behaviour hasn't happened in the past, we generally work well together and he's never been nasty or mean to me, and I think that's what has made this worse in my head. We have had issues of him being inconsiderate before (e.g. just making plans without thinking how it impacts the family). He is adamant that we are a "family" and treat each other equally, however I don't feel this is always true.

The kids party on Saturday was fine, however my partner's children didn't really get involved and sat on their computers all day. They then broke my son's helium balloons, despite me telling them to be careful with them. My partner did not discipline them for this. (For context he LOVES balloons and it's something I always get him each birthday)

In the evening we had friends over which was fine, but my partner and his friends then decided to drink excessively (they ended up drinking a whole bottle of vodka plus beers, prosecco etc). At 11pm I set up my son's presents in the living room, fixed his balloons as best I could and made it special for his morning. My partner didn't even notice I'd done this, I text him to say I was heading to bed and my son was in our bed so one of our guests didn't have to sleep on the sofa. He agreed to sleep on the sofa instead, but didn't come and find me to speak to me personally.

His children had in this time broken a wardrobe in their bedroom and then taken themselves to bed. He ignored them for probably 4 to 6 hours in total. Even when the wardrobe broke I was the one who went upstairs to check they were ok and tell them off in the reasonable way a step-parent would.

When all of the other guests left, I then heard my partner leave the house. He went into town until gone 2am and didn't even tell me where he was or that he had gone out! When I tried to call him I was busy-toned, my messages telling him I was upset and worried about his behaviour were read and ignored - I've now seen photos of him and his friends having a whale of a time. When he got home I was told I needed to "chill out" and that "no one had died". I explained he had abandoned his children in the evening and been totally inconsiderate to me and what the weekend was about. He didn't feel he needed to apologise and was quite nasty about how upset I was.

The next day he was still drunk in the morning and went up to bed, missed my son opening presents (which were meant to be from "us"). His children didn't get up until gone 9am and neither wished my son a happy birthday. Instead they threw tantrums about having to get showered and generally acted like brats. When I asked if they'd said happy birthday to him they cried and told me I was being mean... not very "family"-like to me...

It's only now (2 days later) my partner seems to realise that he has potentially lost me and my son. I've spoken before to him about how I don't feel we are a family unit, and that we are spare parts in his world where he does what he wants. His children have no rules to live by and do whatever they please, whereas my son lives under my firm but fair rules (e.g. he will have his favourite toy/game taken away for a day/week if he is naughty, whereas my partner's child told us to "f!ck off" a few weeks ago with absolutely no consequences or punishment.)

We've had a long conversation about everything, where he explained he feels that I don't even like him, he would be better off alone and just left to work and do what he wants etc. We've agreed to try and both put a better structure into place for all of the children, however I am struggling to move on from how my son's birthday was a total shambles. I feel really hurt and angry at the total disregard for him as a 5 year old, and I'm not sure if I'll be able to move on from this. Am I being unreasonable to still feel angry about this?

OP posts:
Alternat · 16/01/2024 11:07

Why are you still with him? It sounds awful for everyone, but particularly your son. And he will soon be old enough to realise that his step siblings can get away with behaviour he can’t and may then start playing up.

Obviously no one can see inside your relationship, but what you have said would be enough for me to leave someone for the sake of putting my child first.

IamnotSethRogan · 16/01/2024 11:08

Even without it being your sons britnfay, the fact that he thinks he can disappear without saying anything leaving you to look after his children is complete fuckwit behaviour.

Greenqueen40 · 16/01/2024 11:09

This is only going to get worse the older your son gets, leave him now!

Maray1967 · 16/01/2024 11:09

Put your child first and get shot of your partner. He can then attempt to parent his own kids.

You’re being used here. I would have ended it by now, certainly after this incident.

Brefugee · 16/01/2024 11:11

YABU imo, you should be putting plans in place to leave. Neither of you is happy with the other, and you don't like his children/parenting.

Better to start again.

peakygold · 16/01/2024 11:12

The only thing you are BU for is making everyone celebrate your son's birthday for a whole weekend. A bit excessive, imo.

BoohooWoohoo · 16/01/2024 11:13

If it’s your house, then it’s time to ask him to move out.
If it’s his house, then it’s time to find somewhere else to live.
This isn’t going to get better. Stepkids who behave like that now will only get worse as they get older, bigger and stronger. Your son deserves to live in a better atmosphere than this and as his mum, you need to protect him. by moving out, he can be crap dad elsewhere. Staying with your partner risks your son turning out like his step siblings. You can’t protect your stepkids from their dad but you can protect your son.

BetsyBobbins · 16/01/2024 11:13

He clearly does not give a flying monkey about you or your son, why are you still with him?

Also, your texts to him sound absolutely desperate, he knows he has the upper hand on you.

Youcannotbeseriousreally · 16/01/2024 11:14

There is so much wrong with this. Firstly, I hope your son had a nice party etc regardless of all this. That’s the most important thing.

but you are not unpaid childcare, he shouldn’t be leaving his kids with you at all and going out getting drunk. They are not your responsibility. Ont that basis alone ( and there is so much here I could pull out) this guys doesn’t sound very nice or considerate and certainly not a person I would want around me and my kids.

EsmeT · 16/01/2024 11:15

He is so selfish! Doesn't sound like a man he gives a crap at all.

LIZS · 16/01/2024 11:16

He used you to baby sit while he had a good time. How old are his dc?

Seeline · 16/01/2024 11:16

Do his kids live with you permanently?
How old are they?

Sounds as though your partner needs to grow up!
I can't see the situation improving

Georgie743 · 16/01/2024 11:17

Why is your bar so low?

Jibo · 16/01/2024 11:17

My God. Put your child first and get out of this relationship.

Azerothi · 16/01/2024 11:18

I am aware you have implied it but do you actually live with this current boyfriend?

I think you are to blame here and should put your own son first which you aren't doing while the loser is still there. Only you can control how your son is treated by outsiders, including the boyfriend, and you are allowing both you and your son to be treated poorly.

I guarantee the boyfriend won't want to leave you and will come up with all kinds of sob stories and promises.

Mitherations · 16/01/2024 11:19

This didn't all just go wrong on your DS birthday, this is an ongoing shit show. Put your DS first, this "family" is not in his best interests.

ToniTTtopaz · 16/01/2024 11:22

Nah, get rid.

Put your child first.

Cosyblankets · 16/01/2024 11:23

We've agreed to try and both put a better structure into place for all of the children

No

He just told you what you want to hear. Let me guess... the more structure was your suggestion

Heronwatcher · 16/01/2024 11:23

Your poor DS- I think you need to consider leaving the relationship for his sake. It doesn’t sound like the step kids did that much but your partner has obviously failed to parent them as well as take any part in your DS’s birthday. When he has his own DCs he should be being the primary parent not you, especially on such an important weekend for your DS. Sounds like he sees a family unit as you bring the full time babysitter and him going out on the piss. I think you need a trial separation at the very least so that he can re-establish the relationship with his kids and assess his priorities. Also possibly to get treatment for what sounds like a drinking problem.

IncompleteSenten · 16/01/2024 11:24

"he feels that I don't even like him, he would be better off alone and just left to work and do what he wants etc"

You do realise that was manipulative bullshit designed to make you feel guilty, don't you?

Thedogscollar · 16/01/2024 11:25

No please put your little boy first in this scenario.
Your partner and his children sound awful so why would you expose your own child to this ongoing fiasco.

ExtraOnions · 16/01/2024 11:25

I think there is some stuff you are being a bit precious about, and that’s clouding the stuff that is a concern.

An entire weekend taken out for a 5 year olds birthday seems a little excessive.
If his children are a bit older, I can’t imagine they want to be at a 5 year olds birthday party. This would happen with any children in a family .. so that’s a bit meh

”broken balloons” .. do you mean they popped them ? That’s kinda what happens to balloons. They you sat you “fixed” the balloons, so what happened to them?

Partner not noticing you had piled up presents and balloons ? Really ? This is not a big thing to anyone other than you.

His Children didn’t get up until “gone 9” (heaven forbid)

You clearly don’t like his kids… you can hardly hide the disdain, I suspect that anything they did would not be good enough. You didn’t want there on Birthday weekend .. and (in an ironic twist) … you are doing the same to them, as you are accusing your partner of doing. It’s a classic case of “golden child”. The only language you use about your partners children is completly negative.

DP should not have gone out without telling you where he was

You both have very very different ideas about brining up children, and family life … probably time to go your separate ways

endofthelinefinally · 16/01/2024 11:25

He and his children sound awful. Your poor son shouldn't have to put up with these people in his life.

MrsWhites · 16/01/2024 11:27

peakygold · 16/01/2024 11:12

The only thing you are BU for is making everyone celebrate your son's birthday for a whole weekend. A bit excessive, imo.

Leaving your children with your partner overnight without checking it’s ok, spoiling birthday plans for 5 year old, letting your own kids run riot, demolishing furniture, potentially hurting themselves whilst you get pissed with your friends and then being abusive when someone dares to complain - all ok but having a second day of celebration for a 5 year olds birthday - heaven forbid!

of course your aren’t being unreasonable OP. He sounds like an absolute arsehole and not someone you need in your child’s life! If he can’t/won’t parent his own kids, he isn’t going to do a good job with yours either! Get out before he spoils anymore experiences for your child!

Jellycats4life · 16/01/2024 11:27

This is not a safe, happy and secure household for your little boy to grow up in.

Blended families rarely work but yours sounds miserable.