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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:
venusandmars · 16/01/2024 12:03

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.

But that is exactly what he DID do - exactly what he wanted: didn' take responsibility for his own dc; got drunk with his friends; went out with his friends leaving you (unasked) looking after his dc; went to bed the following morning instead of being part of the celebration or taking responsibility for his own dc...

Actually, he knows he would NOT be better off alone, because he would have to be responsible and look after his own dc.

Don't let him treat you like a mug for any longer.

Epidote · 16/01/2024 12:04

Your partner is selfish. His kids are spoilt. Kids birthdays are for kids and last a few hours not days.
Adults drinking vodka on a kid celebration, kids not going to sleep till late a breaking wardrobes, partners leaving the house without telling and getting even more pissed.

Gosh, definitely there is no rules even if you want to put some in place. Nobody gives a dime. Get out before your son start to be like them and remember kids partied last a few hours and they are only for kids. Adults parties and kids parties doesn't match well together.

DarkAcademia · 16/01/2024 12:05

He's awful, and is massively disrupting your life instead of making it better. You're not being unreasonable, and you know you would be better off without him, right?

LookItsMeAgain · 16/01/2024 12:05

He is bringing nothing positive to your table.
His kids are destructive and he is not disciplining them for their actions.

Kick him to the kerb!

AuntieStella · 16/01/2024 12:09

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

So he's not completely devoid of insight then.

I think this is a cue to send him on his way.

From your post, I don't think you do like him, and I don't think he cares about you.

Adelaff · 16/01/2024 12:09

Echoing others, I would have left him already. Your parenting styles arent compatible.

Totally normal for a small child's birthday to dominate a weekend, especially if you have separate celebrations for friends and family. Birthdays are so much more significant at that age, kids deserve to feel special and celebrated. You weren't asking for anything unrealistic, your partner should have kept his focus on your son's birthday - in part because it was important to you and also because he should care enough about your son to want to celebrate him. I'd have been pissed at the big kids for damaging the balloons too.

You sound like a lovely mum, notwithstanding the bit about taking your just-turned-5 year old's favourite toy away for a week when he's 'naughty'. But that aside, you seem to want the best for him. This living situation isn't it.

ChimpanzeeThatMonkeyNews · 16/01/2024 12:10

I can understand why you’re still upset. I’d be exactly the same.

That sort of ‘no one else matters but me’ behaviour would just disintegrate any relationship. Resentment is corrosive.

TooMuchPinkyPonkJuice · 16/01/2024 12:11

Please don't subject your child to this 'blended family' any longer.

The treatment of you and your son by these people is abhorrent and manipulative.

MeMyBooksAndMyCats · 16/01/2024 12:12

He doesn't care about you or your son, he's using you as a live in babysitter/maid for his own children.

Leave, kick him out do what you have to do. You seem like a lovely person and you can do so much better than his sorry excuse.

Sugargliderwombat · 16/01/2024 12:14

Sounds like he's got himself some free childcare. This situation is not fair on your son at all.

Devilshands · 16/01/2024 12:15

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.

This.

Cakeandcardio · 16/01/2024 12:16

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!

Meh. I wouldn't get worked up about the posters saying it's excessive. You had two events within a weekend. It wasn't a whole weekend. And in fact I think perfectly normal.

It's true though that your husband has behaved very badly. He doesn't really want to be a parent it seems and the blended family is working for him but not you. Good luck.

BusyMummyWrites01 · 16/01/2024 12:17

You don’t say whether the DSC are with you full time or whether you share/own a home together but, based up what you've said here, I would say his behaviour is a red flag. Depending on the details of your living arrangements, I’d be minded to leave him/end things.

That said: it seems as though he resented not being the centre of attention on your son’s birthday and his DCs picked up on this. Tbf, depending on how old they are, it is not fair to expect them to feel that they are all one new family unit now just as a matter of course (esp if they are with their mum part of/most of the time).

Are you engaged, do his kids know you are a permanent feature now - did you and DS make a fuss of them on their birthdays? Has he lived with anyone else since leaving his DC’s mum - ie have they invested in his previous relationships only for them not to pan out?

pontipinemum · 16/01/2024 12:17

That is not a man I would want around my son. It sounds like you live together, how long have you been together? I would ask him to leave. Can you see him just as a dating couple when your DS is with his dad? If you do want to continue the relationship I think it should be far more casual.

I also wouldn't like the way his children treat my child. Also the behaviour they are showing him. I think he will start to copy it to get 'better' results when he is disciplined.

JubileeJumps · 16/01/2024 12:19

Being around this person is awful for you and your kids.

bluechicky · 16/01/2024 12:20

He's not really a partner

Xyzagain · 16/01/2024 12:21

I can’t see from the post how old your DSC are - so hard to put their behaviour in context . Regardless though he treated you as an unpaid babysitter by just clearing off on his evening out . You ( and your son) deserve much better . How tied to him are you financially ? Whose house is it ?

PlimplePlop · 16/01/2024 12:21

Why are you putting your poor son in the middle of this miserable set up

Projectme · 16/01/2024 12:22

Please put your little boy first. Your partner should be a male role-model for your son if you want to have a blended family, and he clearly isn't. The behaviour of his own kids leaves a lot to be desired too. I really don't understand why you're with him tbh.

Agree · 16/01/2024 12:22

This is a horrible, horrible, relationship and it's literally not working on any level.

What are you doing? Take responsibility for yourself and your child! You're making your own life horrible and your child could end up traumatised for life at this rate.

Claim back your home and stop this madness. It's not about him and what he's doing (by the way he sounds like an alcoholic but I wouldn't encourage you to focus on him and what he is or isn't any further), it's about you and why are you dating this repulsive creature and traumatising your child. Wake up!

Also you sound pretty codependent to me and you might want to explore what that means and how to stop doing it.

yepmeagain · 16/01/2024 12:24

There is always the straw that breaks the camel's back, this is yours.

Mine was realising that I would rather go to a wedding alone and know virtually no one than take my (then) partner who I KNEW would be a complete embarrassment by getting drunk and slagging everyone off.

Trust me, the relief when you are free is immense.

Favouritefruits · 16/01/2024 12:24

Put your 5 year old ahead of anyone else’s feelings a run! A five year old needs a loving and stable home, if you can’t provide that under the current circumstances then you need to leave. Put the child’s feeling above your own, it will be hard but you’ll feel better after and you’ll feel like a brilliant mum. Don’t listen to your partner saying he will change, you know he won’t!

Newbie1011 · 16/01/2024 12:24

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

^^this. Put him first and leave. Poor little thing

DeeLusional · 16/01/2024 12:26

A whole weekend "celebration" for a 5 year-old's birthday seems excessive to me.

Agree · 16/01/2024 12:26

Also, you're NOT a family unit, you're a group dysfunction.

One day if this continues, your little boy will be old enough to walk away from home and never come back because he won't want anything to do with you. He'll describe you as the mother who ruined his childhood and expose him to hurt and harm. Think about it.