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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Re in-laws and daughter’s 18th Birthday

33 replies

fortygin · 28/06/2024 15:37

Long story short. I was in a 20 year marriage which ended 7 years ago due to ex-h having an affair. We have 4 dc.
Dd2 was 18 yesterday and I should mention has some mental health issues and there was an incident last week.
Ex-h hasn’t spoken to me since March because I filed for divorce but contacted me week before last informing me that he was going on holiday from day before dds birthday until Saturday.

I said I was delighted he was getting away and didn’t mention dds birthday as she had already told me his plans ans that she said to do whatever he wanted to do.
after dd’s incident last week, her father and her had a fallout and a lot came out including how upset she was that he put her in the position of deciding wether it was ok if he want away over her 18th or not.
I advised him to keep to his plans as she has told him it was ok so what could he do.
my dm then decided, seeing he was away, to ask us all out for lunch as he would beware to be offended.
his mother then talked him into changing his plans and he advised me he would be here for her birthday after all.
i informed him we had a lunch bed with my mother ad he said he would come later in the evening.
Yesterday his mother came to see dd and was asking how the lunch was etc.
I got a text last night from ex advising me that I was ‘rude, selfish and ‘unmannered’ for not opening the invite to him and his parents given how they give lifts etc to the dc.
i feel a bit put out as my parents and his have no relationship after his parents supported him after his affair and I feel that if they wanted to do something with my adult dd, they could have arranged it with her directly.
side note ive had them here before and invited the to celebrations but after they accepted his mistress into their lives, I stepped back bc r my own sanity.
aibu?

OP posts:
sprigatito · 28/06/2024 15:39

I'd probably text back "my parents loathe you all", but that's probably not very good advice 😂

YADNBU. He's a knob. Don't give it too much headspace.

lazyarse123 · 28/06/2024 15:42

It was your mum's choice who to invite. Absolutely nothing to do with anyone else. I wouldn't be having anything to do with any of them. It's natural to side with your own son but there are consequences to that and this is one of them.

Testina · 28/06/2024 15:45

How has it taken you SEVEN YEARS to start divorcing this prick?! 😳

fortygin · 28/06/2024 15:49

@Testina he has been emotionally abusive and would have made my life hell so I chose to wait for the 5 year no fault divorce and then gave him 18 months notice as again. I’m ‘punished’ for perceived wrongdoings.
it has taken me many long years of therapy to get this far and the support of my parents (who lived abroad until 4 years ago) and my partner.
I’ve also had to fully pay for divorce as he refused to interact (we are in NI).
up until 5 months ago he was asking for sex still 🙄.

OP posts:
KreedKafer · 28/06/2024 16:16

Absolutely YANBU.

StirlingMallory · 28/06/2024 16:20

"My parents ask whoever they want to lunch. Why don't you do likewise?"

Bridgertonne · 28/06/2024 16:31

I’d just send a ? to him.

FadedRed · 28/06/2024 16:37

Why bother even replying to him? Do you need to have any contact now your DC are adult (unless you have younger ones?). If not, then block his number and email and enjoy the peace and quiet. Now you are divorced, his opinion is of no interest to you any longer.

fortygin · 28/06/2024 16:49

unfortunately I have also a 16yo and a 12yo. I have very limited contact now but unfortunately I’m expected to still bow down to his parents because they help out

OP posts:
Motomum23 · 28/06/2024 16:51

Just reply thank goodness your feelings don't matter to me in the slightest and leave it at that x

Maddy70 · 28/06/2024 16:52

Tbh for your daughter 18th. I probably would have invited her grandparents too but its definitely ok not to

fortygin · 28/06/2024 16:55

Maddy70 · 28/06/2024 16:52

Tbh for your daughter 18th. I probably would have invited her grandparents too but its definitely ok not to

in normal circumstances, I agree, but considering my parents haven’t spoken to his parents for 7 years, is that fair to an 18 year old to have to deal with the awkwardness?

OP posts:
Bridgertonne · 28/06/2024 16:56

It’s up to him and his parents to arrange their own 18th celebrations, they can’t get in on what your parents have organised.

fortygin · 28/06/2024 16:57

And for that matter, should I be offended that I wasn’t invited to my father-in-law’s (who I’ve known since I was 15) 70th party as the woman who blew up my family would be uncomfortable?! You make your choices and live with them

OP posts:
FictionalCharacter · 28/06/2024 16:59

Bridgertonne · 28/06/2024 16:56

It’s up to him and his parents to arrange their own 18th celebrations, they can’t get in on what your parents have organised.

Absolutely.

Prawncow · 28/06/2024 17:03

No advice but happy birthday to your DD and when the divorce finally goes through I think you should have a party. With ‘Thank fuck that’s over’ balloons.

Sunshinethrumywindow · 28/06/2024 17:11

You don't owe this dickhead any explanation, clearly he wasn't that bothered as he went on holiday and they didn't plan anything for her which is on him . He's just using it as an excuse to have a go to get some attention. Give him silence he won't expect that. Don't give him any of your energy. Good luck with the divorce bet you can't wait.

diddl · 28/06/2024 17:15

but unfortunately I’m expected to still bow down to his parents because they help out

In what way do they help?

If it's you they help can you do without?

Screamingabdabz · 28/06/2024 17:22

“I got a text last night from ex advising me that I was ‘rude, selfish and ‘unmannered’ for not opening the invite to him and his parents given how they give lifts etc to the dc.”

I would just click delete. Let him rant away to a grey rock. What a prick.

fortygin · 28/06/2024 17:22

diddl · 28/06/2024 17:15

but unfortunately I’m expected to still bow down to his parents because they help out

In what way do they help?

If it's you they help can you do without?

God no. On his days with the younger two they may give lifts to school but on my days I insist they get the bus,
since the separation, I’ve been very inclusive of his parents as I know it wasnt their fault, but as the years have gone on, and I’ve seen how easily I was replaced, I have stepped back.
ive been polite but haven’t invited to Xmas etc like I would have done six years ago.
they think I should have ignored the infidelity as he was coming home to his family and see me as ‘breaking up the family’ because I asked him to leave after his mistress informed me of the affair.

OP posts:
Equivo · 28/06/2024 17:29

What did your daughter want? Her birthday her choice. I'm sure your parents can behave like adults and be polite for the sake of their grandchild's birthday, if your daughter would like to see everyone.After all, the grandparents aren't responsible for their adult son's behaviour.

That said, if he and his parents wanted to join you the time to say so was before the meal. Being nasty after the fact because you didn't read his mind is not ok.

Equivo · 28/06/2024 17:32

fortygin · 28/06/2024 17:22

God no. On his days with the younger two they may give lifts to school but on my days I insist they get the bus,
since the separation, I’ve been very inclusive of his parents as I know it wasnt their fault, but as the years have gone on, and I’ve seen how easily I was replaced, I have stepped back.
ive been polite but haven’t invited to Xmas etc like I would have done six years ago.
they think I should have ignored the infidelity as he was coming home to his family and see me as ‘breaking up the family’ because I asked him to leave after his mistress informed me of the affair.

I cross-posted with your latest update. I don't blame you for disliking them, if that's their attitude.

fortygin · 28/06/2024 17:32

Daughter is ND and didn’t really want any fuss. She’s not good around large crowds and tbh even my dad don’t go.

OP posts:
Hatty65 · 28/06/2024 17:37

I'd have texted back, 'Unfortunately my parents think you are 'rude' 'selfish' and 'unmannered' because you violated your marriage vows and slept with another woman behind my back. They hate you and don't want you in their home. Happy to clarify that'.

fortygin · 28/06/2024 18:02

Hatty65 · 28/06/2024 17:37

I'd have texted back, 'Unfortunately my parents think you are 'rude' 'selfish' and 'unmannered' because you violated your marriage vows and slept with another woman behind my back. They hate you and don't want you in their home. Happy to clarify that'.

He’s such a narcissist, he would say my parents are unreasonable. My dd was told by her grandmother today that I had offended her by not inviting her. I think too much is expected of me given the circumstance.

OP posts: