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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:
barkymcbark · 16/01/2024 11:28

Terrible behaviour from your dp. What is your housing situation. Do you own or rent, whose name is in the mortgage / tenancy?

Brefugee · 16/01/2024 11:28

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

it isn't a whole weekend taken out for his birthday: it was his party with friends on the Saturday which is entirely normal and family coming over on the sunday, which is also completely normal.

And the guff about the balloons? there were balloons for a 5 year olds birthday, and the other kids ruined them somehow. of course tha's wrong.

OP, just go. That will be the best thing.

MillicentRogers · 16/01/2024 11:29

He's an utter tool and not remotely interested in family life or being a responsible cater or role model for his own children or your son.

Get him out of your life and most importantly away from your son who deserves so much better in his life.

SomeCatFromJapan · 16/01/2024 11:30

Why are you inflicting this dreadful man on your little boy and his one childhood?

ManateeFair · 16/01/2024 11:30

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.

He wants to split up but instead of being the one to leave he's behaving like a massive arsehole in the hope that you'll end the relationship instead so he doesn't look like the villain. He clearly doesn't want to take part in family life. He wants to go out drinking while you not only parent your own child, but also his.

How old are his kids? Assuming that they're older than your son, I wouldn't expect them to join in with a five-year-old's party or to get up before 9am on a weekend to watch your son open presents. Ultimately, your partner's kids are also just kids, and they probably just don't really have any particular affection for your son or understand why they have to fuss over him - they don't see him as a sibling but as someone else's child who happens to be around when they see their dad. I think that's understandable.

However, their other behaviour in general sounds pretty bad and a lack of parenting from your partner is obviously a major factor here. Of course they shouldn't get away with bursting your son's balloons or breaking furniture and telling people to fuck off. And they also shouldn't be left with you while their father goes out drinking until the early hours.

Honestly, your partner doesn't want to be a family - not with your son, and probably not with his own children either. I would get rid of him.

EmmaEmerald · 16/01/2024 11:32

The most concerning thing about this post is you don't even mention leaving him.

This is a horrible individual who is raising his kids to be the same. It doesn't sound as if he likes you.

Thehamsterthatcametotea · 16/01/2024 11:32

Unforgivable

PieAndLattes · 16/01/2024 11:32

You’ve completely overdone the whole birthday - a whole weekend isn’t necessary for a 5 year old and it’s not much fun for everyone else. However, if he agreed to that he shouldn’t have sneaked off in the middle of the night and ignored your calls. He is right though, it does sound like you don’t like him very much and you’re not keen on his children either, so just end the relationship. It doesn’t sound like either of you are very happy.

AgentProvocateur · 16/01/2024 11:33

Please leave this relationship for your son’s sake. It doesn’t sound like your partner or his kids even like your son.

horseyhorsey17 · 16/01/2024 11:33

Nope. This isn't a healthy relationship. He sounds like a prick. He's also told you he wants to end it - so have some self-respect and do that. You will be better off without this ghastly oaf in your life. Shame for his kids but that's not your problem.

adriftabroad · 16/01/2024 11:34

Stop trying to force a dyamic that clearly will never exist.
This "partner" does not give a shit.
Look after your child.

Why do people do this?

PinkyFlamingo · 16/01/2024 11:34

How old are the children and do they live with you full-time?

LowBar · 16/01/2024 11:35

I'm sure these types of men only get into new relationships for the free childcare.
He can up and leave and drink whenever, kids are looked after while he's hungover while you're told to chill out!

How would he be if you buggered off out for a night out then came back hungover and he had to look after the kids? I'm sure you'd never do it, so these idiots get to say they'd not mind, knowing full well it would never happen.

Anyway he sounds inept at looking after his kids. Like others have said, it will get worse.
Good luck
Get rid.

brainworms · 16/01/2024 11:35

PUT THE WHOLE MAN IN THE BIN.

soleparent5494 · 16/01/2024 11:36

For a little more context as I appreciate a whole weekend for a 5 year old is excessive - my family live abroad and my mum was visiting for the weekend. So the Saturday was his party with his friends, our family friends then came up in the afternoon so we could go for a "birthday lunch" on Sunday as a family with all of the children. My son see's his grandparents maybe 2-3 times a year if he's lucky, so yes, we do cram in as many special moments as we can in that time!

OP posts:
roarrfeckingroar · 16/01/2024 11:36

Awful. To he honest I think setting up a whole new family like this when your son is so little is a bad idea. Protect and prioritise your child.

ImCamembertTheBigCheese · 16/01/2024 11:37

HIs behaviour is awful, as is that of his kids. There is no way he will suddenly change his parenting style. He and his kids are treating you and your son like shit in your own home. No way would I put up with that.

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 16/01/2024 11:38

He sounds a a right wanker.

What on earth are you doing giving your son a home life like this.

littlemousebigcheese · 16/01/2024 11:38

Leave him. I know people say that too often and act like it's easy, but this man is showing you who he is; irresponsible, dismissive of your feelings, assumes you'll do bulk of childcare without asking but worst is how he's treating your son. That alone would be a deal breaker for me.

cheddercherry · 16/01/2024 11:39

I feel for your son having to suffer this man and his kids. I’d rather just have a loving mum (which you really sound like!) than a “family” like them. He doesn’t parent his own kids what on earth do you think he offers your son?

dammit88 · 16/01/2024 11:39

He sound awful OP and not a man to build a life with. I honestly wouldn't stay with him. And it's not unusual to have a special 'weekend' when it's a 5 year olds birthday at all. It sounds like you tried to make it nice for him and your partner counldnt have cared less. You can do better.

NorthCliffs · 16/01/2024 11:39

SomeCatFromJapan · 16/01/2024 11:30

Why are you inflicting this dreadful man on your little boy and his one childhood?

This. Your son needs to know he's your number one. Not some selfish fucker and his bratty children. Do the right thing.

Mariposistaaa · 16/01/2024 11:40

Please don't force your poor boy to be part of this awful 'blended' family.
Raise him alone, with your own family and friends. He deserves to be secure and happy, and you don't need a man in your life to offer him that. Especially not a man child like this.

SweetFemaleAttitude · 16/01/2024 11:41

JFC, what an absolute cockend of a man.

Please leave him. Not only for your sake, but for your sons. Who wants this wanker as a male role model!

Frangipanyoul8r · 16/01/2024 11:41

I can’t see the reason why you are with this man.

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