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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:
HelpMeUnpickThis · 16/01/2024 12:26

YABU

You are trying to blend families / family life with someone who is not interested.

AutumnFroglets · 16/01/2024 12:28

So he walked out on his own children without telling anyone? Bet SS would love to see him explain that one away.

Kick this one out, with his two badly behaved children, as he will never change for the better. Protect your little boy from this abusive madness.

soleparent5494 · 16/01/2024 12:28

For all those that have asked:
We aren't married, we have been living together since August 2022 (both moved into a rented house together, not one moving in with the other), children know this is a permanent relationship. When we moved in I explained to all of the children about respecting belongings, rules, boundaries etc which he was fine with, but he doesn't enforce them so I've subconsciously given up and just focus on my son to ensure he knows right from wrong.

My DS does not see his dad (he left when he was about 1 and has no contact), partner's kids stay with us on a weekday evening for afterschool, dinner, bathtime and then go home around 7:30-8pm and every other weekend.

Other children's birthdays were made a fuss as far as I could, I didn't see them on the actual birthday (at the request of their parents and totally understandable as they were doing their own thing with respective families) - however gifts, cards and activities were organised as I would for my son when I saw them. Christmas I organised 90% of their presents and did a "second Christmas Day" for them as they spent Xmas day with their mum. I would do for them what I would do for my own.

I have admitted that I was hurt by the not telling me he was going out and ignoring calls/texts because a previous partner had done this to me and it's a huge red flag for me. I have recently started counselling to work through issues I feel I carry from childhood/past relationships (which is purely for my own and my son's benefit, unrelated to this relationship).

OP posts:
pikkumyy77 · 16/01/2024 12:29

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?

This. What an utterly manipulative and fake thing to say!

usedtobeasizeten · 16/01/2024 12:30

Dump him…let him inflict himself on someone else.

Bellaphant · 16/01/2024 12:31

How old are the step kids? If they are ten or older, then you being upset at them not joining in the party and...having a lie in... Really not a big deal?

Breaking the balloons and not wishing him happy birthday is poor whatever the age.

But, the big issue is the bf. If he doesn't respect you, why would they.

BodenCardiganNot · 16/01/2024 12:31

So are you planning to move right back out again with your 5 year old? Or stay and subject him to more of this shite for years?

Walker1178 · 16/01/2024 12:31

His behaviour was unreasonable for a standard weekend, so no, YANBU to feel upset given that this one was important. What’s the deal with his friends? Do they have similar lifestyles/responsibilities? I found this was the biggest issue with my DP when we got together as his friends were all so different to him and at first he didn’t want to miss out on the loser lifestyle they led.

If you’ve got any chance to move forward he needs to start parenting his DC properly and remember that actions speak louder than words

TheShellBeach · 16/01/2024 12:32

How horrible for you and your son, OP. Apart from ruining the birthday celebrations, your bloke expected you to look after his DC while he got drunk.

Are you living in your boyfriend's house now? I think it's time you split up.
(BTW you can write "Fuck" on here)

AliasGrape · 16/01/2024 12:33

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!

It’s interesting that this is the only point that you’re replying to - not to the very many people who don’t feel it excessive and DO feel your so-called partner is acting like anything but.

Honestly it’s completely normal for a young child’s birthday to take up the weekend. We have only done little parties at home for DD so far as she’s still only 3, but that usually involves a fair bit of tidying up beforehand, whacking up a bit of bunting (fabric stuff MIL made) and some balloons, making some food (so extra shopping too), baking and decorating a cake etc. Then we’ve generally done something nice just DD and us the other weekend day as a little family celebration - zoo or aquarium type things.

I’ve never thought ‘oh do you know what would be great to do on DD’s birthday weekend, have a load of mates over to get absolutely shitfaced and then maybe go out again in the early hours of the morning’. And neither has DH. I’m guessing it wasn’t your idea to invite a load of mates round for a piss up in between hosting and clearing up after a kid’s party and then your DS’s actual birthday.

As others have said, throw this one back. Whatever he says, his actions show he doesn’t think of you as a family except where it comes to having someone in the ‘little wife’ role to look after his kids when he can’t be arsed to.

Grimmbros · 16/01/2024 12:33

He sounds horrible OP. Treating you like a an unpaid nanny too.

C00k · 16/01/2024 12:35

soleparent5494 · 16/01/2024 12:28

For all those that have asked:
We aren't married, we have been living together since August 2022 (both moved into a rented house together, not one moving in with the other), children know this is a permanent relationship. When we moved in I explained to all of the children about respecting belongings, rules, boundaries etc which he was fine with, but he doesn't enforce them so I've subconsciously given up and just focus on my son to ensure he knows right from wrong.

My DS does not see his dad (he left when he was about 1 and has no contact), partner's kids stay with us on a weekday evening for afterschool, dinner, bathtime and then go home around 7:30-8pm and every other weekend.

Other children's birthdays were made a fuss as far as I could, I didn't see them on the actual birthday (at the request of their parents and totally understandable as they were doing their own thing with respective families) - however gifts, cards and activities were organised as I would for my son when I saw them. Christmas I organised 90% of their presents and did a "second Christmas Day" for them as they spent Xmas day with their mum. I would do for them what I would do for my own.

I have admitted that I was hurt by the not telling me he was going out and ignoring calls/texts because a previous partner had done this to me and it's a huge red flag for me. I have recently started counselling to work through issues I feel I carry from childhood/past relationships (which is purely for my own and my son's benefit, unrelated to this relationship).

None of this matters, except the fact you’re in counselling, keep working on yourself and put your kid before blokes. Get the trash dumped.

PerfectTravelTote · 16/01/2024 12:36

This is who he is. He's not going to change.

You either accept it or you don't.

I suggest you don't.

Erdinger · 16/01/2024 12:36

What are you still with him ? He doesn’t care a little your child , you don’t care about his . Move on , out , move him out . Whatever just move on from him. Why women put up with this I just don’t get it. Do better

Christmaslights21 · 16/01/2024 12:37

He sounds like a user who is taking advantage of you. He clearly doesn’t see you or your son as family. I would reconsider my relationship based on this.

DawnofthetimeoftheDlinosaurs · 16/01/2024 12:38

You cannot control your partner, his children or his friends or family
You have tried asking them & they ignore you & they will continue to do this

However, you can control this situation by ending the relationship & living alone with your child

It is YOU that needs to be proactive in making better choices for you & your son

Just tell him that it is not working for you & make plans to separate

Goodluck

Erdinger · 16/01/2024 12:39

Why did you even have his friends over on the evening of your child’s birthday party ?! Why ! Put your child and yourself first and move on from this pig

Grilly · 16/01/2024 12:42

Time to move on OP. Is this how you want your son’s sixth birthday to be? With an inconsiderate, drunk stepdad, and upset mum and bratty step siblings?

hellsBells246 · 16/01/2024 12:42

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...

This is bollocks, op. Your p is doing DARVO - look it up! Denying what he's done and reversing it so he's blaming you.

I'd leave him.

He's a shit parent and partner. Going out without telling you, letting your parent his dc, lazy parenting.

Your life would be better without him.

Feraldogmum · 16/01/2024 12:43

He’s a child and he’s using you as an unpaid babysitter for his kids. Good luck to him working and otherwise doing what he “wants” when he has 2 kids and no one to look after them but himself.
He and his feral little darlings are not a good influence on your child is this the example you want for him? I would cut my losses before your home life becomes damaging to your son and he starts to resent you as well as this waste of space,5 is an extremely important developmental time for children.

taysw · 16/01/2024 12:44

This reply has been deleted

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

DeDoDaDa · 16/01/2024 12:45

You are wasting your life on this loser. Are you so desperate for a partner that you'd inflict such awful behaviour on your son?

lobster53 · 16/01/2024 12:47

Where are you getting a “whole weekend” from? I read a children’s party on Saturday and family over on Sunday which doesn’t seem excessive for a 5 year old.

Agree · 16/01/2024 12:48

It's not working.

You need to move out and take your son to a safe, peaceful, loving, home where he's not at risk.

You are knowingly putting your child at risk.

The longer you don't accept that and the longer you misdirect your attention on to focusing on the details of him him him and his kids and the finer details what they're all doing wrong, the longer you're wildly missing the point.

You're also misdirecting yourself by having therapy for childhood issues when you're not in a safe space to do so and your therapist is off beam if they know about this situation and aren't encouraging you to address the current situation real and present danger over and above delving into the past. Park the past and deal with the present moment.

Are you paying for this therapy? Please don't. Save your money, time, and effort for relocating and if you must pay a therapist for anything, find the sort who's going to help you out of this situation.

Seaweed42 · 16/01/2024 12:52

"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,"

So you tried to have a discussion.

He made it all about himself and how he's the victim here.

You changed your mind and then was made to feel guilty for being a bitch to him and went along with his vague suggestions about putting a structure on things.