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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think DH is insane to suggest this

585 replies

onion88 · 16/11/2024 08:31

My husband blind sided me with this yesterday. Aibu to think he's insane?

My husband and his ex-gf share two children. They have been separated for 10 years (kids are early teens).

We have been together for 6 years and share a child who is 3.

Husbands ex has been in a relationship for the last 6/7 years. Unfortunately this has just ended.

I need to add that they have not always gotten along, DH and ex. There were some really awful times, abusive messages, difficulties agreeing to contact schedules, being awful about me etc... I rarely say more than the odd hello to her.

Right now, they co parent pretty well and it's relatively calm because DSC can mainly contact us/ their mum by themselves now so not much need for contact but it's by no means been an easy or stress free road. I am glad that we mainly need to have nothing to do with her anymore.

Anyway, due to her relationship ending, ex has said to DH that she'll be keeping the children all of Christmas day as she'll be by herself otherwise. Usually they split the day so one has morning, one has them for dinner and changes each year. It was DHs turn for Christmas dinner this year so he's understandably gutted. She has a habit of thinking decisions are hers to solely make and just informing him of what's happening. He doesn't fight her enough imo on this. They share custody completely equally.

DH has now been saying how Christmas will be rubbish now, won't even feel like Christmas, cant even be bothered with it now blah blah blah. Which I've told him is ridiculous seen as we also have a child so he needs to get a grip for their sake at least!

But anyway, he's just blind sided me yesterday saying that he's going to suggest to his ex that either she comes here for Christmas dinner with DSC (my family usually comes so that will be nice and awkward) or alternatively he wants to take our child to her house to see DSC in the afternoon on Christmas day, leaving me at home without our child on Christmas day.

I don't want either of those and think he's utterly insane for suggesting them. If he wants to see DSC on Christmas he needs to tell ex that her being alone on Xmas day isn't his problem and he wants DSC as previously arranged not expect all of us to adjust our day and me to be without our child to appease her. Imo if he doesn't want to argue with her on it, he should just accept seeing DSC on boxing day instead this year.

Aibu to argue this and say no? If he really wants to drop in to see DSC and can't just wait until boxing day then he can but I don't want our child going or her coming here.

OP posts:
Lotsofsnacks · 16/11/2024 09:02

BlueSilverCats · 16/11/2024 08:56

The day is normally split anyway, and this year the ex would have them in the morning and him in the afternoon. Because she's now single she wants them ALL day and changed the rules.

Yes it’s unfair to change the agreement, and he needs to grow a backbone and stand up to her, not changing the usual plans for one person. She can go visit one of her family members/friends while the DC are at yours surely? Does he always give in to her demands? Unfortunately these scenarios often come with blended families.

DeepRoseFish · 16/11/2024 09:03

Sounds like my ex husband. Didn’t give a shit about our children together.

PullTheBricksDown · 16/11/2024 09:04

It's also not thoughtful to propose taking a 3 yo - prime 'magic of Christmas' age - off for part of the day to what is, to them, some random's house. Ex is not her step mum, and I can't imagine she'd rather be with her teenage siblings - who she'll see the next day anyway - and dad, over her mum, grandparents and her new toys to play with in her own home. That's just a selfish bit of this plan from the husband and I'd have none of it

healthybychristmas · 16/11/2024 09:04

No don't let your three-year-old go to his ex-wife's house for the afternoon. There's no way I would let that happen. I wouldn't have your husband go there either. I'd have him go and pick up the kids and bring them back for tea and take them back after two or three hours. If she's got them in the morning afternoon and later in the evening then that's fine.

badmoon23 · 16/11/2024 09:04

There's nothing wrong with him popping to see them for a few hours in the afternoon. It will give you a few hours to decompress after a hectic day. Not sure why he needs to take your the youngest, but if she'd enjoy seeing her siblings I would allow it. If she's not bothered keep her home with you and go for a nice walk or something while he's out.

However I think I the main issue here is his ex thinking she can just change the rules based on her own wants and circumstances. It isn't your problem that she's broken up with her partner and presumably if she hadn't then you wouldn't be having all this change of plan. Your dh really needs to be standing up to her instead of pissing you off on Christmas Day.

LoneStar7 · 16/11/2024 09:06

healthybychristmas · 16/11/2024 09:04

No don't let your three-year-old go to his ex-wife's house for the afternoon. There's no way I would let that happen. I wouldn't have your husband go there either. I'd have him go and pick up the kids and bring them back for tea and take them back after two or three hours. If she's got them in the morning afternoon and later in the evening then that's fine.

You’d “have him”? Are you in charge?

PullTheBricksDown · 16/11/2024 09:06

LoneStar7 · 16/11/2024 09:06

You’d “have him”? Are you in charge?

No, it's clearly his ex who is in charge

Princessfluffy · 16/11/2024 09:07

Move your Xmas day to Xmas Eve.
Then for SDC they go to their mums for Xmas day but it's effectively Boxing Day for them.

helpfulperson · 16/11/2024 09:07

WhyNotUsehis · 16/11/2024 08:46

So you're okay with him not seeing his DC on Christmas Day, but you object to missing a couple of hours with your joint DC while they go with their father to see their siblings?

I agree with this. You sound like you don't think it's a big deal for him not to see all his children on christmas day. You see the two children he has with his ex wife and the one he has with you as separate but to him they are just all his children.

Daleksatemyshed · 16/11/2024 09:09

If your family are coming at Christmas then you wouldn't be alone Op but would they be upset if your DP takes your DC out?
I'd keep in mind that if his EX doesn't meet anyone else she may want her DC every year and this could be an ongoing problem, so the solution has to be one you and your,DP are both comfortable with.

Pat888 · 16/11/2024 09:10

Have an amazing Xmas day on Xmas Eve - turkey stuffing the lot. Beat her to it.

Sugarcoldturkey · 16/11/2024 09:10

It really sounds as if he's prioritising his ex and their kids. I'm sorry, OP. In yours shoes it would put my whole relationship in doubt.

Have a serious talk with him, no shouting or drama, but asking him why he prefers you to miss out on your child over his ex missing out even a couple of hours with hers.

And why is Xmas ruined for him when he has a 3 year old daughter at home who's just discovering the magic of Christmas?

SacreBlue · 16/11/2024 09:11

He could discuss with the teenagers if they would like to do Epiphany/Kings day on Jan 6th instead of Christmas on 25th.

Christmas/Santa is more fun for the 3yr old and teenagers might appreciate double the amount of presents for the same money (Jan sales)

TheYearOfSmallThings · 16/11/2024 09:11

I don't see any reason he shouldn't take the 3 year old over to see her half siblings for an hour on Christmas afternoon. As for being left all alone...the OP's family will be there and it will probably be chaos as Christmas day usually is.

MsKellie · 16/11/2024 09:12

He's managed to somehow make Christmas all about himself. He needs to have a conversation with the ex. Focussing on Christmas being ruined if he doesn't see them on Christmas Day is ridiculous when you are not together with your child's other parent. This was always going to happen sooner or later.

Separated parents make Christmas worse when they are focused on their "turn". There are plenty of ways to make Christmas special and they don't need to be on that one day. Just make it special on Boxing Day or whenever he does have them. I've often not had my kids on 25th December. I just did a 2nd version when they did come home. Honestly, he needs to get a grip.

onion88 · 16/11/2024 09:14

helpfulperson · 16/11/2024 09:07

I agree with this. You sound like you don't think it's a big deal for him not to see all his children on christmas day. You see the two children he has with his ex wife and the one he has with you as separate but to him they are just all his children.

I do think it's a big deal. But no I don't think it's down to me and DD to miss out to solve it.

I have no problem with him going if that's what he wants to do. He can see them, I am not stopping him.

Or he could grow a backbone and tell his ex he wants them here still, even if it's just for a few hours. I'm apparently fine without DD for a few hours so ex should be fine for DSC to come here for a few hours too.

I just don't see why I should be the one being messed about because his ex has made a demand and he doesn't want to fight her on it. Again.

OP posts:
Ihatelittlefriendsusan · 16/11/2024 09:14

Sorry, but why is his all about what you think is acceptable and what you want. You aren't at any point considering his children.

Why can't his ex and kids come for dinner? Surely you cam all be grown ups and get along.

My ex and I have an ok co-parenting relationship. It's not best mate level but we are friendly. He has no family outside of my dsc and our shared dd. It was my Christmas with dd last year. He would have been on his own.

He came to us along with my dsc.

Christmas should be about being nice and kind, bot point scoring and being mean.

onion88 · 16/11/2024 09:15

TheYearOfSmallThings · 16/11/2024 09:11

I don't see any reason he shouldn't take the 3 year old over to see her half siblings for an hour on Christmas afternoon. As for being left all alone...the OP's family will be there and it will probably be chaos as Christmas day usually is.

My family don't get here until later afternoon so I would be alone when he's proposing he takes DD.

OP posts:
Warringstars · 16/11/2024 09:15

I would love a couple of hours to myself on Xmas day - take one of my new books, glass of fizz, run a bath, watch crap on telly.

RosieLeaf · 16/11/2024 09:16

Op, he’s telling you where you fit in to his priorities… as in, you don’t.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 16/11/2024 09:17

He can easily pop up for a couple of hours if he wants but not take your joint DD. Done. Both sides treated equally with neither mother being without their children for any part of the day. That’s the equitable solution.

LoneStar7 · 16/11/2024 09:17

RosieLeaf · 16/11/2024 09:16

Op, he’s telling you where you fit in to his priorities… as in, you don’t.

This is a bit unfair without knowing if there is a history of this.

He’s probably just angry and reacting. I’d be gutted not to see my kid on Christmas Day and I’d react angrily too.

PonyPatter44 · 16/11/2024 09:17

He sounds like a bit of a wet wipe, tbh. He and his equally wet ex both need to pull themselves together and start acting like adults.

BlueSilverCats · 16/11/2024 09:18

@helpfulperson then he should've said no when the ex changed arrangements and stuck to their usual one.

OP doesn't care if he goes to see his kid, she just doesn't want him to take the little one too.

WaitingForMojo · 16/11/2024 09:18

I don’t see anything wrong with his suggestions.

Where he is wrong is dismissing your child (and you) as unimportant in saying that there’s no point without his other dc.