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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to want to hire a private investigator to check on DS' dad?

202 replies

SylvanianAddict · 21/02/2024 23:32

Hi all,

I had turned 36 and wanted a baby so much but was running out of time.
So I went on Co-parents.co.uk to look for a guy to have a baby with me. I found him and we decided to try and conceive 'naturally'.

Initially, I was keen on the idea but after suffering from panic-fuelled bouts of insomnia, I realised I felt so weird and guilty about it, while still feeling desperately broody. So I told him I was scared. I said I didn't want to be a single mum. He was so kind and reassuring, told me I wouldn't be a single mum. There seemed to be a spark between us and I started to like him a lot.

We conceived after a few attempts and last year, I gave birth to a perfect baby boy. It's the best decision I have ever made, he means everything to me. The problem is that the co-parent and I aren't together. I was kind of misled and now, I am pretty much a single mother. Don't get me wrong, I prefer it this way - the baby is with me 100% of the time and sees his dad on occasion. He also pays a monthly amount of money for DS' maintenance.

When I asked him if he had told his parents and siblings about the baby, he said no. I asked him why, and he said that they would be shocked. Over the course of the year, I kept asking the same question, 'Why would your family be shocked?' 'Is it because you are married?' and he would keep evading it, saying that his private life is extremely complicated and that maybe he would tell me one day. But one day, it became unbearable for me and I asked for the truth. He got so stressed and angry (not taking it out on me, just feeling cornered and bothered) and asked why did it matter if his private life wasn't harming me and DS?

We're now on good enough terms - I don't ask him anything about his private life and he understands that I have to protect my emotions, which means I won't be affectionate and physical with him anymore.

But DS is now growing up and will soon start speaking. He will eventually be curious about his dad and will want to spend more time with him, even staying over with him.

The problem is, it still bothers me that DS' father hasn't told me about his private life - what on earth is he hiding? He assured me that he isn't a criminal and that his name and age (DOB) are correct. And I want to trust him, he is otherwise very kind and gentlemanly and fatherly.

I feel really weird and icky even contemplating hiring a private investigator BUT I will literally do anything to protect my DS from harm - my worst fear is that his dad is a p*phile or a registered sex offender. THAT's what I want to know.

I found a company that charges £375 to find out almost everything about him.

Am I being unreasonable here or is he being unreasonable?

OP posts:
DottieMoon · 23/02/2024 10:40

WallaceinAnderland · 21/02/2024 23:49

YABU

You didn't care about his background before you chose to conceive a child with him.

This!

pinkyredrose · 23/02/2024 10:43

Lex345 · 23/02/2024 10:35

That particular website, when read with its Trustpilot reviews, is a worry. Lots of "NI" adverts on there. Seems incredibly risky and completely unvetted

Do u have a link to the website?

Lex345 · 23/02/2024 10:45

pinkyredrose · 23/02/2024 10:43

Do u have a link to the website?

If you google co parents it will come up as the first result :)

Whatevershallidowithmylife · 23/02/2024 10:47

What’s done is done and if you want contact to continue then yes I would hire a PI. You’re in a much better position than another thread where a married mum to be is in a horrific relationship situation!

Nicole1111 · 23/02/2024 10:48

You could try asking the police for a Claire’s and Sarah’s law. It is an unusual case in how you met and that you’re clearly not together so they might struggle with justifying a Claire’s law, but I can’t imagine they’d deny you a Sarah’s law.

bakebeans · 23/02/2024 10:50

I never knew sites like this existed! Does this site vet people for STi's etc? He could have been sterile for all you knew just wanting to have sex.

just read a caption from a bloke who's already successfully sowed his seed twice!

TwylaSands · 23/02/2024 10:55

I would hire them in a heartbeat and go very very lc with this guy.

Wondergym · 23/02/2024 10:56

I think you have been incredibly naive. I think he has given you a false name and that's why you can't find him online.

I would suggest checking his ID in his wallet but I feel like that might put you in danger if he catches you doing it.

Maybe a PI will be useful and give you the closure you need - but I also think it will cost much more than what you have quoted. If you are not assured you have the correct name I think a background check will be more complicated and costly - for example they might need to follow him to find out his real address/ name.

ManaFromHeaven · 23/02/2024 10:57

KrisAkabusi · 21/02/2024 23:55

You made the ridiculous choice to have a baby with someone you didn't know. These are all the things you should have thought about two years ago. He's entitled to a private life and if he discovers you've been snooping, expect your relationship to deteriorate.

And for the record, most parents would be shocked by what he did. It's not a normal situation.

This, in spades.

Also, you're not the only woman he's done this with. Guaranteed. He might not have a family but he's got a few other children out there, and because you couldn't be bothered to do things the 'proper' way have condemned your child to God only knows what kind of messed up family situation.

You made your bed, now lie in it. Leave him alone and accept what he wants to tell you.

Wondergym · 23/02/2024 10:58

To second other posters - you can't leave your child alone with this person. His lack of honesty is a huge red flag.

TwylaSands · 23/02/2024 11:17

Could you also do a dna database thing? Check there not hundreds of his children around. Or is that just for adults?

Sweetheart7 · 23/02/2024 11:21

Wondergym · 23/02/2024 10:56

I think you have been incredibly naive. I think he has given you a false name and that's why you can't find him online.

I would suggest checking his ID in his wallet but I feel like that might put you in danger if he catches you doing it.

Maybe a PI will be useful and give you the closure you need - but I also think it will cost much more than what you have quoted. If you are not assured you have the correct name I think a background check will be more complicated and costly - for example they might need to follow him to find out his real address/ name.

Agree. Most of all let's say OP finds out some info on this mam. What do you wish to gain OP? He could be a married man with DC. I would tread very carefully. Do you have a support network yourself? Can you afford to loose the child maintenance if he falls out with you?

Allofaflutter · 23/02/2024 11:23

Is he still on there still offering to be a co-parent? I’m so sorry this turned out like this. But I’m glad your DS has a loving mum.

Allofaflutter · 23/02/2024 11:24

Is there anyone you trust that could follow him from yours one visit?

Bennetty · 23/02/2024 11:24

I would suspect that his "complicated" private life includes an unsuspecting wife who doesn't realise he's advertising himself to have unprotected sex with strangers, and a series semi- anonymous baby mamas to whom he won't give any information to about his life.
If you're still intimate with him, get tested for STIs.

NamelessNancy · 23/02/2024 11:28

It's the thought of hiring a PI which is making you feel weird and icky? Wow. I'm sure most guys advertising themselves online for "natural insemination" are fine upstanding fathers to be.

SylvanianAddict · 23/02/2024 11:36

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

NamelessNancy · 23/02/2024 11:50

Im sorry op, I wasn't fair in my previous comment. I do think you've been naive but obviously you realise that too. I think finding out what you can now via PI is sensible. Regardless, congrats on your beautiful baby and wish you both all the best.

catin8oots · 23/02/2024 11:55

Who told you to kill yourself?

Newsenmum · 23/02/2024 11:57

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

I’m sorry op, you’re right that AIBU is always horrible. You’re in a very vulnerable position and I hate that on this website the first thing people do it blame other women. You wanted a baby and did what you thought was right. Why are we not calling this guy a scum bag???? Focus on your beautiful boy and find out about this man!

SylvanianAddict · 23/02/2024 12:01

catin8oots · 23/02/2024 11:55

Who told you to kill yourself?

It's the only logical thing for a vulnerable person to do if they believe everything the haters say.

OP posts:
pinkyredrose · 23/02/2024 12:09

*you stupid, naive whore who has condemned her DS to a life of judgment and dysfunction. I am so much better than you. Now go and kill yourself you scum.'

Am I right? Did I get the gist of it you shrews and harridans?*

Don't you think you're being over the top? No ones called you a whore , no on thinks they're better than you or has told you to kill yourself.

People just can't understand having unprotected sex with a stranger you met online just to fulfill your baby urge. You were obviously only thinking about your own gratification and not what was best for the baby.

equuscaballus · 23/02/2024 12:09

Good luck @SylvanianAddict

AIBU seems to be a great place to put other people down and feel superior these days...

I'm hoping that all of the sinister fears that you must be having right now turn out to be unfounded, everything gets resolved and you can move on with your life, reassured x

TwylaSands · 23/02/2024 12:25

SylvanianAddict · 23/02/2024 12:01

It's the only logical thing for a vulnerable person to do if they believe everything the haters say.

It isnt. And this is a clear indication you need more help with your mental health. Please contact your hv again.

a sperm donor would have had medical checks etc. you would have probably have known more about him than this guy.

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 23/02/2024 12:58

@TwylaSands

Yes !