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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Ex BIL ignored my kid

11 replies

Tackleton · 03/11/2024 11:09

Apologies, this is long.

My STB ex left me earlier this year, when our youngest was 4 months old. It’s been pretty awful since then, e.g. he’s been in the house when I’m out to root through my things, he’s threatened to withdraw financial support/hide money from CMS, he’s called me an incompetent mother because my mum was coming over to help me (he watched on ring doorbell but wouldn’t give me the login info, so I replaced it with my own and he covered it with tape after coming back here when I was away). When I tell him these behaviours are out of line, I’m labelled insane or controlling, I get the “see, I was right to leave” line. I also get accused of stopping contact with the children when I’ve allowed him here all the time to see them, and invited him along to special occasions, parents evenings and days out. He’ll often ignore messages about the kids and plans with them. In all this time, I’ve had contact with some of his family but none with his brother.

Anyway, I was out with the kids and my sister recently, and we crossed paths with his brother. The brother approached us on the same pavement, turned his entire body as far around as he could, and tried not to look at us. I said to eldest DC (4), say hello to uncle X, and she shouted hello. He muttered hello and carried on walking, not looking at her. If I’d not said anything, he would’ve not acknowledged her. This is the third time something like this has happened with him. The second she was calling out to him from the car and he ignored her, she balled her eyes out as they have always had a good relationship. Each time I’ve told my ex, and been told I’m trying to cause conflict and am lying. I’ve said if he can’t keep his opinions to himself in front of her and is willing to upset her, they shouldn’t have any relationship at all as she’s young enough to forget him. I’m also pissed off that ex sees this as a me issue, when he should be sticking up for DD. AIBU, and if so what would you do?

OP posts:
SleepyRedPanda · 03/11/2024 11:14

I’m not sure what your AIBU is about but your ex BIL will have his brother’s versions of events and has shown you that he has taken sides. Don’t put your children through the rejection by pointing their uncle out to them.

Can you move house? I am assuming you and your ex-husband own where you live but it’s clearly not amicable or working out for you to both have access to the property.

WaitingForMojo · 03/11/2024 11:15

There’s nothing you can do except protect your dc. I’d have distracted her instead of encouraging her to shout hello.

You’re not going to get your ex to support your dc so don’t try.

my sister made a disagreement between the adults about the dc and punished both my dc and hers for it. I won’t forgive her for it, and it tells me that engaging with her in the first place was a mistake.

Just let them get on with it and focus on your relationship with your dc, not trying to control theirs, and just make your dc’s lives full and happy without them.

Noseybookworm · 03/11/2024 11:22

Your Ex sounds vile and who knows what he's been saying to his brother about you? He's probably told him you're mad, controlling etc etc! Just ignore him when you see him and distract the children, he's not worth getting upset about. And I wouldn't raise it with your ex either, he's probably the reason why your BIL was so off with you!

Tackleton · 03/11/2024 12:21

Thanks for the replies and advice. Yes, I think the best bet is to distract/change course/cross the road if similar happens again. Just find it infuriating that a grown adult would do that to a small child - and I know I’ll be given a hard time if I do what I feel I must to avoid DC feeling rejected. It’s exhausting.

OP posts:
Tackleton · 03/11/2024 12:22

SleepyRedPanda · 03/11/2024 11:14

I’m not sure what your AIBU is about but your ex BIL will have his brother’s versions of events and has shown you that he has taken sides. Don’t put your children through the rejection by pointing their uncle out to them.

Can you move house? I am assuming you and your ex-husband own where you live but it’s clearly not amicable or working out for you to both have access to the property.

I would love to move but can’t afford to stay in the area if I do, which means pulling DC out of school. That’s not to say I have ruled it out - I’m on mat leave so hard to make big decisions at the moment.

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sprigatito · 03/11/2024 12:23

I think any upset caused to your daughter was on you, I'm afraid. He'd already shown discomfort and turned away when you told her to say hello to him. You shouldn't be using her to try and force an interaction with someone who doesn't want it. If you hadn't done that your child wouldn't have been upset.

MrSeptember · 03/11/2024 12:30

He's taking sides and tounhave a crazy ex who will be telling him.about how YOU are the crazy one. Ignore him in future ans start protecting yourself. I'd start by getting the police involved if he's coming into.your house amd damaging your property.

Tackleton · 03/11/2024 12:33

sprigatito · 03/11/2024 12:23

I think any upset caused to your daughter was on you, I'm afraid. He'd already shown discomfort and turned away when you told her to say hello to him. You shouldn't be using her to try and force an interaction with someone who doesn't want it. If you hadn't done that your child wouldn't have been upset.

Yes I suppose you are right. I’ve just found it difficult to know how to handle this, as their side of the family expect her to visit or spend time with the uncle almost weekly, for family get togethers (which I’ve facilitated). She spends a lot of time with him so she’s going to notice him passing her on the street

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Maria1979 · 03/11/2024 12:35

Don't put your DC up for being disappointed. Tell her to ignore BIL, just say he's got problems and can't say hello to anyone so she won't be hurt.

Tackleton · 03/11/2024 12:36

MrSeptember · 03/11/2024 12:30

He's taking sides and tounhave a crazy ex who will be telling him.about how YOU are the crazy one. Ignore him in future ans start protecting yourself. I'd start by getting the police involved if he's coming into.your house amd damaging your property.

Yes I know he’s taken sides, I don’t really care about that tbh as we didn’t really have a relationship before anyway. I don’t care if he doesn’t speak to me but I don’t want DC being treated like she’s done something wrong. You’re right though, I think best bet is to ignore and avoid whether I’m with the DC or alone
Can’t get police involved as it’s jointly owned, don’t really want to escalate things unless absolutely necessary either

OP posts:
Tackleton · 03/11/2024 12:36

Maria1979 · 03/11/2024 12:35

Don't put your DC up for being disappointed. Tell her to ignore BIL, just say he's got problems and can't say hello to anyone so she won't be hurt.

Nice succinct (and accurate) way to explain to her 👏

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