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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To have said no to parents at christmas

68 replies

scarfonthestairs · 10/12/2024 06:12

I need to untangle all of this from my head and I am (I think) prepared to be told ibu but would like advice if you think I am.
TW- talk of csa.

This year I had a breakdown after years of coping with childhood sexual abuse.
My parents were aware of childhood sexual abuse and my dad at the time "dealt" with it by having a chat with the person and saying it was sorted. It wasn't it continued afterwards. I bought it up years later and he called me a slut. We've never spoken about it since.
They saw I'd had a breakdown (see me several times a week) but never once asked why or offered support other than the minimal. I self harmed dreadfully through this time which I eventually told them but they've never supported me about.
Every year since we've had children they've come for Christmas Dinner. They've never contributed. Our children love them coming.
Thus year after a huge amount of therapy I've realised that my dad has been emotionally abusive all my life to me and my mom. I decided along with dh that I didn't want them coming for dinner. We approached this when they asked saying due to breakdown just wanted us and children for Xmas Dinner but could come in morning or evening for a bit. Like inlaws do.
My mom said it was fine. My dad told my daughter before we'd been able to and was passive aggressive about the whole thing saying he could die before next Xmas, they'd be eating on there own having beans on toast (they wont) and other things to upset her.
I have also got another sibling who lives over an hour away and never invites them.
Last week dad got pneumonia. They're also looking at cancer for him. I feel now so guilty. What if this is his last Christmas? Also he has no idea that I'm aware of emotional abuse, this is a bolt from the blue for him really as he's lived his life like this and suddenly I've started to remove ourselves and have a more "normal" relationship.
I feel so dreadfully guilty and don't know what to do. I know whats right for me and what's right for me to do for everyone else.

OP posts:
YSianiFlewog · 10/12/2024 06:17

You are not responsible for his illness or for the way he's treated you. Look after yourself and your immediate family.

I can't believe he called his own daughter that name. I'm so sorry you've been treated this way.

Falseshamrok · 10/12/2024 06:27

You have nothing to feel guilty for.

he has everything to feel guilty for.

what a truly dreadful man.

DisforDarkChocolate · 10/12/2024 06:28

Stay strong

Don't excuse him about the emotional abuse, he knew what he was doing. He's now using your children to do it too.

Eyresandgraces · 10/12/2024 06:37

Don’t feel guilty feel angry.
Your df is trying to manipulate your dd. How dare he.
As for illness, lots of people get ill as they get older. I’m one of them, doesn’t mean I can behave badly and guilt trip my family.

Look after yourself op.
You have feelings too and deserve to enjoy your life.

TipsyCoralOtter · 10/12/2024 06:38

I feel for you OP - I have a Dad like this, called me a slut as a child and threatened to smash my phone because a boy was texting me. Spent his whole life treating me like either his best friend or like crap on his shoe. Never really told me he loved me or he was proud of me, launghingly talks about how he never hugged us as kids and still finds it uncomfortable to hug us now.

Was shocked when I asked a female relative to give a speech at my upcoming wedding and not him (he also hates public speaking), so has since ignored me and told me I've betrayed the family and would be deleted from his life forever if I wasn't his daughter. Not even messaging me when we completed on our first home or when I passed my PhD.

Just because they're stuck in their own ways doesn't mean that you need to be stuck their with him. They'll deny and downplay their behaviour because they'll never hold themselves accountable for how they make other people feel, and expect the world to bend to them. I know it's hard, but don't let him guilt you - he knows exactly what he's doing. You have a whole life ahead of you to treat people the way you wanted to be treated as a child. Sending solidarity and hugs x

thepariscrimefiles · 10/12/2024 06:38

You have absolutely nothing to feel guilty for. He was complicit in your abuse as he didn't go to the police and allowed it to continue. He is disgusting to call his own abused daughter a slut.

Do not feel sorry for him. Why should you care if it's his last Christmas? You have built your own lovely family despite his terrible treatment of you and he does not deserve another second of your time or attention.

Cakeandcardio · 10/12/2024 06:39

But your needs aren't less important than his.
Would you treat your children the way he treated you?
You deserve better OP. Stay strong.

scarfonthestairs · 10/12/2024 06:40

Thank you so much. I was beginning to think I was in tje wrong.
As I was writing this I thought how sad ot was that my sibling also doesn't invite them. Then I thought obviously that shows a reason!

OP posts:
User820825 · 10/12/2024 06:43

Good god woman you are certainly not being unreasonable.

Ohshutupalan · 10/12/2024 06:43

What parent would treat a child like this? A monster. If most parents found out their DC had been sexually abused you would do everything in your power to help your DC - neither of your parents did. You have NOTHING to feel guilty about, they do.

Enjoy your Christmas with your family.

SENMUMwhatnext · 10/12/2024 06:44

He is emotionally manipulating your children, it may not to the positive influence on you that you think. X

jupiterhigh · 10/12/2024 06:49

I am going to be harsh, but it's with love. If he is doing that to your daughter, do you not just watch him emotionally abuse her? Protect her, in the way you weren't protected, stick with your plan but remove yourself further. They should be begging at your feet for forgiveness.

GreenBadger · 10/12/2024 06:49

Please don’t feel guilty.

His abuse has controlled you into feeling this. He’s now trying it with your daughter.

Being ill doesn’t make him a nice person. He’s brought this on himself and if it is his last Christmas and he doesn’t spend it with you then that is a result of his own actions. Not something for you to feel guilty about.

His happiness is not more important than yours.

He and your Mum are adults they can cook full Christmas lunch or eat beans on toast - that’s up to them. Don’t let them guilt you or you daughter.

Fraaahnces · 10/12/2024 06:53

Your dad is an utter prick. He doesn’t deserve access to your kids. What he did to your daughter was abusive too. Please cut ties.

mammaCh · 10/12/2024 06:54

You have absolutely nothing to feel guilty about. Your dad sounds like an evil man. I wouldn't let me child be near him.

scarfonthestairs · 10/12/2024 07:09

Thank you for your msgs. @TipsyCoralOtter your story touched a nerve, yes he's either lovely and funny or horrible so i never know where I am.
I worry that maybe I'm building this up. What if he's not as bad as in making him out to be?

OP posts:
healthybychristmas · 10/12/2024 07:12

But he is just as bad as you are building him up to be. I wonder whether they are exaggerating his symptoms now to gain your sympathy because they know that you are a nice person. Stay strong though.

Swivelhead · 10/12/2024 07:13

Your mother could have left him decades ago.

You, dear little child, did not have that choice.

He wouldn't be anywhere near my kids with his poison.

PortiasBiscuit · 10/12/2024 07:15

How old are your children OP?

ttcat37 · 10/12/2024 07:16

The way that he treated you as a child was abhorrent. And your mum, for standing back and allowing it. They did not protect you. Just imagine that they treated your daughter that way, imagine she was in their care and they allowed that. Does that make you angry and put things into perspective? You were just a child, like your daughter. You deserved so much better. Time to put yourself first. You will never be able to explain or reason with you because they have trodden all over you for so long. They don’t need to agree though for you to put your foot down. Protect yourself and your family from both of them.
You can still report the abuse to the police if you wanted to. It will still be investigated.

Cynic17 · 10/12/2024 07:19

OP, you don't have to see anyone you don't want to see. Doesn't matter that it's Christmas. Doesn't matter that they're ill. Just keep saying "no".

dunroamingfornow · 10/12/2024 07:21

Swivelhead · 10/12/2024 07:13

Your mother could have left him decades ago.

You, dear little child, did not have that choice.

He wouldn't be anywhere near my kids with his poison.

Yes, stick up for that little girl who had no power then but does now.
Please do what feels right for you.

He's guilt tripping you to get his own way. Sadly he's unlikely to change, but you can and are now big enough to tell him no !

Sussurations · 10/12/2024 07:24

Please, take care of yourself. Take all the time you need to recover from your breakdown, focus on your own family, and on getting support in your healing journey. Do not allow your abusive parents to continue damaging your health and happiness.

Your dad’s ill. So are you. It doesn’t sound like your parents have lost much sleep over your illness. It will be hard, but you should do whatever you can to put yourself and your family first, and protect your children and your inner child.

Pandasnacks · 10/12/2024 07:27

YANBU, your dad is guilty of abuse and your mum of the same by ignoring what was happening to you and not getting you out of that situation. I'd cut them both off

Mouswife · 10/12/2024 07:28

Cut contact ! This man is an abuser and he continues to do so with his manipulation. He knew you were being sexually abused, and did nothing. Why are you letting him near your kids ?!