Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Ex DH - is this a punishment

8 replies

whatisontk · 20/05/2024 05:24

DH of 15 years cheated on me last year so I asked him to leave the family home (rented). He rented a room in a shared house which won't allow children to stay over.

Due to this I allow him to come to my home whenever he wants for the children's sake, he comes in the morning before school for an hour and then after work for 1-2 hours to help with bedtime. I will stress he doesn't do any baths, ironing, washing of clothes. So obviously I'm doing all the nighttime wake ups and early morning wake ups.

He now on Saturdays and Sundays doesn't come over until 11 or 12 on these day. He's prioritising his leisurely runs, showers, social time and obviously his sleep. Always making excuses like can't help with bedtime as I have to do this and that, even though he's all the free time on the work.

It took months to even get to the stage now where he's going to sit here with the children so I can go on a long due night out and even then only because it's more an early evening thing or else he wouldn't do it. In terms of money he will buy nappys and wipes, bread and milk and oldest child's clubs. If I ask him to buy something he will and he pays the childcare that's not covered by UC (due to 85%) only so works out around £200, he won't give me money direct.

We have 2 under 2 and a 10 year old. I returned to work from Maternity a few months ago.

Overall this has been the case for 5 months now and I am just completely exhausted. He is dragging his feet getting a house because at the minute it's win win for him. As much as I don't want to be without my children I need him to get a house and start doing overnights because I am really struggling to cope now.

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 20/05/2024 05:29

he won't give me money direct.

He will when he's told to by CSA. Why haven't you put in a claim?

And yes, he's taking the piss. But then he's a cheat and a liar who doesn't give a crap. Get cold, analytical and legal. Time to get everything sorted out.

Ereyraa · 20/05/2024 05:31

He won’t necessarily take them if he has a house; if he doesn’t want to, there’s no way to make him, unfortunately.

Go through CMS and see a lawyer.

itsgoingtobeabumpyride · 20/05/2024 05:57

Does he actually do anything during the hour in the morning?
Doesn't sound like he's doing much in the evening.
I'd put a stop to that unless he's actually helping or at least watching your DC to allow you to get ready.
He doesn't need to be in your home twice a day if he's not doing anything.
As for not having the DC at his, he could take them out but he probably prefers sitting in his old home with all the comforts.
Then he's got his weekends free while you get no down time.
As for money, go down the CMS route, he doesn't get to not pay towards the upkeep of his DC.
He's taking the piss.
Kick him to the kerb.

Zanatdy · 20/05/2024 06:01

Put in a claim for CSA if he won’t pay voluntarily - though depending on how much he earns it might not be too much more if he’s already paying £200 for childcare as he won’t pay that aswell as maintenance I’d assume. Like you say he’s having his cake and eating it at the moment. He needs to get his own place so he can have the children at his place and not be at your house every day. Impossible for you to start to move on when he’s there all the time

onefinalhurdle · 20/05/2024 06:02

My ex husband has been in a shared house for nearly 2 years. He left when my twins were babies. I don't allow that sort of contact - he can come over only when it suits me like when I have to do a big shop so I don't have to be around him in my home. I don't allow daily pop in visits - I would hazard a guess that's worse for your mental health than the lack of sleep having to see him every day. I think you need to get tough with him sorry

stripycats · 20/05/2024 06:22

I had a fairly similar situation with my ex when we split 10 years ago. He started getting more and more arrogant about coming and going when he pleased and it started making me more and more unhappy. It can't go on. It was a stop-gap arrangement and it's run its course. See a solicitor, put in a claim for CM and tell him it's not working for you any more so he'll need to sort something else out.

I don't know where you stand legally with renting regarding who is named on the tenancy and whether he would have a right to insist on staying. That would complicate things, but otherwise he needs to find different accommodation that allows him to have the dc over.

ineedtostopbeingdramaticfirst · 20/05/2024 06:32

You need a routine and he needs to take them out. So say he comes over Tuesday after work and you go to the gym or visit a friend or disappear to your bedroom and he looks after the children. He leaves once they are in bed. Then he comes over Saturday and takes them out say 10-5 .

Yes he needs to pay maintenance you could go cms if he refuses.

What's happening with house can you afford to buy him out or are you selling? If he gets some money from equity that could be a deposit.

junebirthdaygirl · 20/05/2024 06:38

The Summer is here now so he can take them out. Either Saturday or Sunday..for hours. Out to the park..whatever. And get them lunch so you have a long break. And say 2 definite nights for bedtime..no more so every night is not messed up. What's happening now is ideal for him..no responsibility but yet sees his kids. Get tough.
Is there mediation facilities available? I'm in lreland so don't know how it works there.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page