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Apple ID all under ex's control.

11 replies

Florizelloid · 29/09/2024 18:00

My ex and I have two kids. We separated 5 years ago, and at present have only one major beef, that of the Apple ID our kids use. When we separated, he kicked me out of the Apple Family, so I no longer had any say over the children’s ID. He was the ‘family organiser’ so I had no say on this. He did eventually agree to let me take the children’s IDs over, however when we tried to do this it didn’t work. I ended up setting up separate IDs for them to use at my house, where they spend most of their time. He works for Apple and they got free Apple watches as part of some trial that was not discussed with me. These are under his apple family ID. When our eldest started secondary school he bought her the iPad she needed, and put it under the ID she has at his house. Again with no discussion. This means I can’t do screen time or app control. He didn’t want her to get a phone because she had the watch, but she really wanted one, as she was starting secondary it seemed appropriate. I found a decent second hand phone for her to use, which she put under my ID. Her dad has now given her a new phone, which is under the ID at his house, so now everything is under his control. This is not acceptable to me, but he just says this is her choice and nothing to do with him. He is happy to buy them apps, Roblox money etc and earns a good deal more than I do. The only thing I feel I can do is confiscate the phone, which at least she doesn’t need for school.
I have tried talking to him, he says it is nothing to do with him, just her choice, and that I am being unreasonable. Am I being unreasonable? What can I do?

I should add I'm writing this because she stormed out and walked over to his house over it this morning, and hasn't come back. He is saying I'm being unreasonable, and it is all my fault. He won't bring her back, and I don't know what to do..

OP posts:
BellesAndGraces · 29/09/2024 18:03

How old are your children and what are the contact arrangements?

sunsetsandboardwalks · 29/09/2024 18:05

As infuriating as it is, I'm not sure you can do anything - he has just as much right to buy them stuff and install apps/controls as you do.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 29/09/2024 18:07

I would be grateful that someone else was footing the bill! As long as he is safeguarding them.

Missionimprobable · 29/09/2024 18:11

Sounds like a fight for control between you and exh with your dc stuck in the middle.
I'm not surprised dd walked put, she's probably sick to the back teeth of it.
Why do you need control if exh has it, he can monitor apps etc.
It's not hill I'd die on personally

Ozanj · 29/09/2024 18:13

Contact Apple. They have an employee policy about exactly this situation.

Florizelloid · 30/09/2024 07:35

Kids are 10 and 12, and generally although I think they are safe at his house, they spend all day on their screens and often are up quite late there, playing online games. I really don't trust him to police the screentime or what apps they use.

OP posts:
Mickey79 · 30/09/2024 07:52

So ex has provided all the tech for the kids and has connected the devices to an id that he controls. I’m not sure why you’re insisting it should be you in control of them. Most importantly, the petty arguments are affecting your child, who has walked out and gone to her dad’s. For the sake of your relationships, let it go.

memyselfi · 30/09/2024 14:23

He's as much their parent as you are.
I get that you're frustrated at this being out of your hands but he's well within his rights.
Make peace with it .

MissSkegness1951 · 30/09/2024 14:25

Mickey79 · 30/09/2024 07:52

So ex has provided all the tech for the kids and has connected the devices to an id that he controls. I’m not sure why you’re insisting it should be you in control of them. Most importantly, the petty arguments are affecting your child, who has walked out and gone to her dad’s. For the sake of your relationships, let it go.

This 100%

MikeRafone · 30/09/2024 14:35

This isn't parenting on his side of things, its doing the Disney bit as its what suits him. DD knows you will want to police screen time so of course she asks to go on his Apple ID where she knows her screen time will not be monitored or restricted.

It like trying to parents with the candy man stood behind you offering all the nice things that parents have to at times restrict.

The fact that he hasn't brought her back either speaks volumes - to him this could be one unmanship - I don't know him so difficult to say from a few paragraphs on screen.

What can you do about it

You have your home and your rules, be consistent with them and if the Apple ID is not known then the phone has to be handed over instead.

Its such a shame when one parents won't cooperate to parent together. The only thing I can suggest is to remind him - in the future you may have different rules they like better and how is he going to fid it when you refuse to back him up

mumtotwo11 · 30/09/2024 14:40

Florizelloid · 30/09/2024 07:35

Kids are 10 and 12, and generally although I think they are safe at his house, they spend all day on their screens and often are up quite late there, playing online games. I really don't trust him to police the screentime or what apps they use.

At those ages, you should be able to control their screen time etc when they are with you.

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