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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:
Welcome2thecircus · 16/01/2024 18:00

YANBU. So sorry to hear this happened, shocking behaviour from him.

Tbh, I wouldn't have lasted so long.. The day before would've been enough for me, to take my son to celebrate somewhere else. Or to ask them to go elsewhere, depending on who owns the house.

Kids will be kids, so wouldn't judge them too much it's the parents job to correct bad behaviour. Sounds like he's using you as a free babysitter.

For this reason plus many others I have always kept my own house. My house, my rules, as harsh as it sounds.

JimmiGeorge · 16/01/2024 18:08

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

hellsBells246 · 16/01/2024 19:17

Well, both these things can't be true:

'I'm happy in my relationship and everything great and my partner treats me well*

And

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.

So which is it?

Behaviour like that doesn't usually come out of the blue.

Evaka · 16/01/2024 19:21

Your poor kid. Get this toerag out of his young life before he becomes an influence on him.

OliveToboogie · 16/01/2024 19:47

Get rid. He is a waste of space. To disappear into the night to go partying and leave you with his kids is the height of disrespect. He ruined a small child's birthday piss poor behaviour for an adult. His kids sound like spoiled brats. A bit like their dad then.

pikkumyy77 · 16/01/2024 20:44

The abortion and vasectomy may have changed things for him. He’s a shitty father, boyfriend, and coparent anyway—what a trifecta!—but the most recent interesting change in circumstances is the unintended pregnancy, the vasectomy (if it happened) and that may have affected his sense of masculinity and security in the relationship. Im sure your good parenting of your five year old slso makes him feel guilty and angry because he knows he is a poor parent.

DisabledDemon · 17/01/2024 01:28

He sounds utterly selfish and his children sound vile. Don't walk away from this situation - run!

HollyKnight · 17/01/2024 02:51

He sounds like he's going to get nasty. Walking out without a word to get drunk like that shows the side you are going to see when you tell him you're ending the relationship. IMO you should keep your head down and quietly make arrangements because he will have no intention of being civil in the process.

FreddieMercurysCat · 17/01/2024 18:05

It’s a “fuck that shit” from me. Your partner is a useless wanker who CBA to parent his own kids and has did all regard for you or your son. Run. Very fast. Far away from this tool.

mandlerparr · 17/01/2024 18:05

If it makes you feel any better, biological fathers do this too. But it really does just look like he is using you as a babysitter for his kids so he can go party.

samqueens · 17/01/2024 18:06

His behaviour coupled with this response

“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.”

is EVERY red flag going.

This man will not change and will not be a good partner or a good role model for your son. Unless you want your five year old growing up in a household in which men get to treat people as they please and children are allowed to swear at adults get out now.

Your feelings that:

”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.”

are also 🚩🚩 for the impact his bag I put is having on you. If you say he has been inconsiderate but that he has never been nasty or mean before, I’m really sorry but I’m prepared to bet he has been. It’s just in each case he managed to convince you that it wasn’t really so bad, or you were in some way to blame, or it was just because he was feeling left out/stressed/tired. Therefore when you look back you think this weekends behaviour is unusual - but it’s actually part of a pattern designed to increase your self blame/self doubt for things that are entirely his fault.

Dont try and get to the bottom of it, it won’t help. He has shown you who he is - believe him. (Lundy Bancroft’s book Why Does He Do That? May be of some help - download on kindle or Apple Books apps and read discreetly)

good luck

samqueens · 17/01/2024 18:06

Bag I put = behaviour 🤦🏻‍♀️

MissersMercer · 17/01/2024 18:08

Bin him.

plumpynoo · 17/01/2024 18:11

Big LTB. He will not change, and nor will his kids, leave now before you and your son are utterly miserable by thier nasty behaviour.

pineapplesundae · 17/01/2024 18:37

It sounds like your partner has already moved on. You’re not at the same place in your lives and considering the fact that he has children, he may never get there. He’s not a family man.

fetchacloth · 17/01/2024 18:40

This man is an arse. Why are you still with him?

CantFindMyMarbles · 17/01/2024 18:41

Nah, I wouldn’t tolerate this.
The kids are just being normal and annoying kids - testing boundaries!

But - I wouldn’t be tolerating his behaviour and his lack of parenting his own crotch goblins.

Middleagedspreadisreal · 17/01/2024 18:43

Dump him. Don't get a replacement. Put your child first or you'll fuck up his mental health. No woman NEEDS a man in their lives, and you certainly don't need this one and your son certainly doesn't.

Mumof3confused · 17/01/2024 18:44

I was about to say I’d expect him to treat your 5-year-old like one of his own and then I realised he does. What’s in this relationship for you, and what’s in it for your son? He should be your first priority.

Danielle9891 · 17/01/2024 19:08

I'd be annoyed. It's embarrassing for you as you had your family over. Maybe he drank too much with his friend and made a fool out of himself. I wouldn't invite that friend over again if you're having a family meal/party. If this was a one off I'd be annoyed but I'd let it go. I definitely wouldn't stand for it if he does this again.

MrsLighthouse · 17/01/2024 19:12

I can’t see a single message suggesting you try to work it out and l’m agree.
He acted like a baby throwing his toys out of the pram when the attention wasn’t on him. Why on earth would you want a future with him and his kids when you’re clearly not valued. You and your son ARE a family 💕 a clean break now will prevent a lot of heartache.

therealduchess · 17/01/2024 19:17

Do you usually get on with your partner's kids, out of interest? As you don't sound very keen on them and children do pick up on any negative vibes and might act up because of this. Especially as their dad wasn't even interested in spending quality time with them.
I'm not sure you can change a person if they're inconsiderate enough to go out until 2am without telling you or having any regrets afterwards (regrets about spoiling what should have been a nice family time)
It's your choice ultimately but, as others have advised, you might be better off leaving now. It sounds like he wants the best of both worlds where he gets to have the safe cosy family life if he feels like it but then also wants to do as he pleases...

scotvic · 17/01/2024 19:26

I'm sorry but this behaviour is unacceptable and it sounds as though the relationship is already past recovery. This guy sounds like an absolute a*se, and - worryingly - as though his current selfish and uncaring behaviour could easily escalate into abuse of one sort or another. Plus you don't want a drunk around your son! Leave him asap and give your son a happy and secure upbringing.

Mrsgreen100 · 17/01/2024 19:28

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.

This

Ilovecleaning · 17/01/2024 19:37

I don’t think this relationship has any future. Both you and your son deserve more. Please end it 🌺