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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Ainu to not want to buy step kids Christmas present

465 replies

Mamana127 · 15/12/2024 11:51

I have two step daughters one if now 27 and the other one 25 I have known them for 13 years and each Christmas ever since I met them i have bought them presents, nice girly things which they love.
They are now working with really good jobs one earning 150k a year and another 70k. They have been working for over 3 years now. But I have never received even a slicked Carrot from them. They buy their dad presents and nothing for me and my kids. During their birthdays my kids make them crafts and I buy them presents but I’ve never received any for my birthday either or the kids birthday either.
This year while wrapping presents my husband asked me where their presents were? I said I’m not buying them any as they have never got me anything not even a Christmas card. He got really mad and said I’m older I should behave better and two wrongs don’t make a right.
I asked him if he has ever asked them why they don’t buy me anything he said they are old enough to make their minds. Ok and I’m not old enough to make my mind?
when we go on holiday I buy them stuff and they sometimes accept or reject that they don’t like, it I spoke to my MIL about this and she said to me they to stop trying to buy them that they don’t like you.
i have never done anything to these beautiful girls, I met their dad way after he had split frozen their mum and had been in other relationship before me.
I haven’t been trying to buy their love I’ve just been trying to be nice to them. So this year I decided to heed my MIL’s advice, and it blew up into a big argument between me and DH. Mind you DH gets them gifts too so I suggested he writes that it’s from both of us and refused. I’m I right or I’m I being petty.
I mean having to take that decision was hard for my heart but I felt I needed to do it.

OP posts:
Fraaances · 20/12/2024 03:05

Put him in a home now

Justsayit123 · 20/12/2024 03:12

Get divorced and get 50% of the house and assets!

Mamana127 · 20/12/2024 07:43

Fraaances · 20/12/2024 01:00

You have to understand that there is every expectation that you are going to nurse this man his old age to his deathbed whilst they guard every single financial resource “their inheritance”, leaving you and your kids with sweet FUCK ALL. He is utterly complicit, which means he does not see you as a wife but a bedmate, a maid and a future nurse. You are a staff member who is not paid, ergo - an Indentured servant. This is so fucked up. Seek legal advice asap.

@Fraaances Yes there is a big expectation very entitled too. MIL the soul of the family passed away in July and now I was asked if FIL can come and live with us I said yes because he is still very mobile and strong. But now I’m wondering what happens when he is even “older too” my former self would have done it happily, with love and compassion, especially as the culture I come from, this is a norm.
We live with our extended family forever and look after them, I found this normal and easy to agree with. But in this case I would be taken advantage of for nothing.

Anyway update. Ive been to a solicitor and she has given me advice on what things I need to ask, to ask them one by one and record the answer secretly.
So I did. I asked for question 1. A full financial disclosure of our finances. ( yes I don’t know anything about our finances) 😬 I just contribute to the bills.
He asked me why I’m asking that question. I said because we are now married and should act as one, it’s safe for both of us if we know about that side of things.
He said he doesn’t mind if we don’t because he had a bad experience with the ex about money, and he doesn’t want a repeat. I calmly said I’m not his ex.
He suggested we open a joint bank account where we both have access and each transfer money into it for bills etc. (He has been asking for this for a while anyway)
I said no! in that case we both just close our personal accounts and open new one together? He said no he doesn’t want a joint bank account due to his experience.

As he said no to my request for a full financial disclosure I had been advised to stop there and start thinking about a divorce, the solicitor has given advice on my rights and was shocked I didn’t know any of it. Anyways if he can’t answer that simple question honestly and openly then he won’t answer the rest.
I’m so scared! How do I start. I sold my home quite cheaply to create a life with him. I really wished I’d insisted on renting it the way I wanted to.
I want to just leave right now with my kids and go home to my family for a hug.
I haven’t been home for three years due to being told we can’t afford it, I asked in November if we could spend Christmas with my family this year as I’ve not done that in forever. I used to have Christmas with my family every year and afforded it fine.
His answer was no- we can’t afford it, we have his dad, and his girls are coming over on the 27th, he can’t separate or cancel seeing them. I said I have separated from mine for years? He said it was my choice to move to England, I asked if can just go with my girls and his response was oh so you are just going to leave your husband to spend Christmas alone? We are married now if it hasn’t occurred to you yet. I left it.
My anxiety is through the roof. What is he hiding? How can I be this stupid? So who leaves the house me or him? Where do I start?
He owns majority of the house.

Right now he is busy doing things he NEVER does because his job is so demanding and every single minute is usually taken.
Things like taking kids to school and picking them, cleaning my car, fuelling my car, asking me to guess what I’ve got for Christmas. Being extra 100% kind, cooking dinner, he even asked if we can have Christmas next year with my family, I just said yeah!… I’ve seen it all before anyways it usually lasts a week until I’m happy.

Anyways I’ve found tickets for me and my kids I didn’t sleep spent the whole night sweating about booking them. I’ve reserved them until this evening. I need to go home to breathe, cry first and think. I’ll deal with this next year. I need to have a big think!
Now the task ahead is to tell him I’m going home for Christmas with the kids. I’ve thought about creating an emergency with my family so he doesn’t get alarmed but I feel terrible about using them. We are supposed to go Christmas shopping today for “ the visitors” as he calls them 😬😬😬😬😬

OP posts:
ACatNamedRobin · 20/12/2024 08:32

Best of luck OP!
Don't let him emotionally blackmail you!
And keep your cards close to your chest.

How long have you been married?

Pensionswew · 20/12/2024 08:43

Well done OP.
He knows that you are not happy so is being nice to get you in line.

He is highly abusive.
Did he pressure you to sell your home?
If he did, that is coercive control.
He won't show you finances, financial abuse.

He keeps telling you you can't visit your family, coercive control.

This man is committing crimes and you are an abused woman.

Women's aid will help you.
Get home to your family.
Educate yourself on Coercive control.

Abuse isn't only physical.
He will move FIL so you can be free skivvy carer, saving them loads of money.

Agree to nothing.
You can do this.
Keep posting.
We are all here for you.

ChristmasinBrighton · 20/12/2024 08:52

Definitely go home for Christmas. You need to stand up to this bully.

Mamana127 · 20/12/2024 08:55

ACatNamedRobin · 20/12/2024 08:32

Best of luck OP!
Don't let him emotionally blackmail you!
And keep your cards close to your chest.

How long have you been married?

@ACatNamedRobin we have been married coming up to two years. But been together for 13 yrs.

OP posts:
Mamana127 · 20/12/2024 09:01

Pensionswew · 20/12/2024 08:43

Well done OP.
He knows that you are not happy so is being nice to get you in line.

He is highly abusive.
Did he pressure you to sell your home?
If he did, that is coercive control.
He won't show you finances, financial abuse.

He keeps telling you you can't visit your family, coercive control.

This man is committing crimes and you are an abused woman.

Women's aid will help you.
Get home to your family.
Educate yourself on Coercive control.

Abuse isn't only physical.
He will move FIL so you can be free skivvy carer, saving them loads of money.

Agree to nothing.
You can do this.
Keep posting.
We are all here for you.

@Pensionswew
No he didn’t force me or maybe he did at this point I don’t know, as we couldn’t move in together until I sold mine to chip in to buy the bigger house as we needed with spare rooms for his girls and dad, His dad doesn’t live with us full time yet he comes and goes a lot. But the plan is that he moves in full time soon as he struggles to be alone since MIL passed. His dad is nice I have to say and really helps with the kids reading, maths, gardening etc he is not a free loader.
What crimes is he committed under law?

OP posts:
Pensionswew · 20/12/2024 09:22

So you sold your house to contribute for a new larger house that is now to be left to his children, not you? What about your contribution?

Read up on coercive control which is a relatively new crime.

Its about the control of money, making it difficult to see family so you are isolated, dictating your life.
The finances are a huge one.

He knows that he is doing wrong and is trying to distract from it by helping you, something he doesn't normally do.

Go to your family and take space.
Get all the legal advice and don't spare the solicitor.
Tell all the details of how he controls the money.

If you divorce him, he will absolutely try and screw you, but you need to protect your children and get every penny you can, for them.

Good men do not behave like this.

Fraaances · 20/12/2024 09:26

Coercion

Mamana127 · 20/12/2024 09:26

@PyongyangKipperbang,
I honestly believed my MIL that things were the way they were because we lived separately, then we moved in together nothing changed, she claimed it’s because we are not married he doesn’t feel a sense of responsibility towards me and if we were to marry he would shift his thinking to me and the kids more, We got married it’s nearly two years, some things changed, but not much. I have never wanted him to stop loving his kids or forget them or mistreat them, I just wanted fairness. I thought we could be a family. But I guess I will never get it, I’m not equal and never will be,
to them I’m a second class promoted servant who doesn’t get paid. I’m boiling inside I just want to scream at myself for how stupid I am and have been,

From my solicitor visit I can see how I have left myself so financially vulnerable because I was in love. Stupid stupid one sided love. I know nothing, even the fact that he “said” that is something happens to him I’d be allowed to stay in the house I’ve got no proof of that.
it took forever for us to find a house that could fit all of us in, it was too expensive as far as I was concerned, I said the same, but he refused said it’s a great investment. The girls hardly ever stay here, they come and go back to their mums, they each have a bedroom reserved for them that nobody goes into, kids aren’t allowed in there incase they break or loose anything. It’s hardly used I just clean it and it’s closed until they come. So stupid!
mid rather take on a stranger to look after than this lot and for once I’m rising and taking my place that I deserve.

OP posts:
SkylarkKitten · 20/12/2024 09:30

Whilst I think giving gifts is not about expecting anything in return, I feel your step daughters are incredibly rude and deliberately hurtful.

I'm now old enough to realise that being nice sometimes means people expect you to be walked all over and never say anything in response. Enough is enough!!

Being a lovely person - which you and your children seem like - doesn't mean your feelings shouldn't matter. If your DH is too chicken to speak to his daughters about your feelings, then he has no right to tell you how to behave.

Don't give a gift. Don't even insist he adds your name to his. If they care enough to wonder why they got no gift, they should be adult enough to have an amicable relationship with you and your children.

Oh, and don't listen to your DH comments about being an adult, two wrongs etc. It's just another way of laying guilt on kind people so they toe the line.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas x

Mamana127 · 20/12/2024 10:02

Pensionswew · 20/12/2024 09:22

So you sold your house to contribute for a new larger house that is now to be left to his children, not you? What about your contribution?

Read up on coercive control which is a relatively new crime.

Its about the control of money, making it difficult to see family so you are isolated, dictating your life.
The finances are a huge one.

He knows that he is doing wrong and is trying to distract from it by helping you, something he doesn't normally do.

Go to your family and take space.
Get all the legal advice and don't spare the solicitor.
Tell all the details of how he controls the money.

If you divorce him, he will absolutely try and screw you, but you need to protect your children and get every penny you can, for them.

Good men do not behave like this.

@Pensionswew,
I was told that my % of the house is what I’ve contributed and that’s my share of it I signed paperwork for that matter I rem. If anything happened to him first I would be allowed to live in the house until I’m able to buy the girls out or sell, take my %age, and they get theirs. If something was to happen to me my girls get my share.
I thought this was fair. But they didn’t factor in according to my solicitor all the running I do for him and our child or anything else. My solicitor will ask him for the full disclosure when I’m gone.
My job is to try silently pack now and leave tomorrow.
I’ve talked to my ex and his Mrs and they will take me and the girls to the airport. I know he won’t want to, he will try and convince me to stay, this will involve crying and saying he thinks he is on some sort of spectrum that’s why he behaves the way he does and not take any responsibility at all. His girls can finally have him I’m done. alI haven’t told him yet that I’m traveling I’m going to pack at my friends house.
I’ve talked to my sister who will call him and pretend we have an emergency of some sort. This is so messed up.

OP posts:
ThePoliteLion · 20/12/2024 10:08

OP, I think you are doing all the right things. Go to your family for Christmas as soon as you can with your children. It sounds like you have a good solicitor. You are right - you can’t stay with this man. Sending you strength and a hug. X

Sauvblanctime · 20/12/2024 10:36

Good luck op ❤️ he’s taken the absolute piss out of you, and so have his daughters!

Pensionswew · 20/12/2024 11:58

OP, he used coercive control to force you to sign those papers.
Forced you to contribute to a bigger house that would increase in value for his daughters.
Did you get separate legal advice before you signed those papers?
Did you have a solicitor look over the papers to advise you?
If not then that is all coercive control.

You need to be very very clear in the narrative you tell your solicitor.
He told you that you would be looked after if you invested your money in the house and that is what you did.

Stick to your story.
You have been used by him.
Let you solicitor get every penny they can.
What age are your children?
How long are you living together?
2 years married and he got you to sign shit away.
He's a manipulative pig.

HagathaChristi · 20/12/2024 12:35

Op, as I read your post I felt filled with rage and then I wanted to cry. This man has taken such advantage of you. So glad that you seem to have had good advice from MN (I haven't rtft) and - more importantly - that you have acted on it. Please keep us posted. We may be strangers, but the fact that many of us have similar experiences means that we have a bond. I don't have any advice to add. Except to say that when you get released from this prison of a relationship you will never look back. Sending you hugs and best wishes.

wizzywig · 20/12/2024 16:31

Oh things have suddenly gathered pace. Glad the solicitors appt was worthwhile

Floralnomad · 20/12/2024 17:26

I hope you and your children have a lovely Christmas with your family @Mamana127 , you are absolutely doing the right thing .

TheCanaryInThePurpleSkirt · 20/12/2024 22:34

@Mamana127 This will be difficult for you and yet, there really is no alternative.

🌺🌺🌺

Fraaances · 20/12/2024 22:55

Well done you. I’m so proud of you.

Codlingmoths · 20/12/2024 23:13

I’m so glad you’re going home. Have a wonderful Christmas!

TheCanaryInThePurpleSkirt · 20/12/2024 23:41

Good grief, @Mamana127 Have just read the bit about the % of your contribution to the house. I spent too many years being threatened by my ex, who six months into a marriage, presented me with a spreadsheet and piece of printed paper (his version of what was “mine”). He wanted me to sign it and leave (I had nowhere to go, having sold my home and paid off a chunk of his mortgage, shortly after our wedding). For a further 13 yrs, he swung between wonderful husband to “I want a divorce” because his daughter, an adult, objected. Each time, he told me what I could hope to get; what he, in his largesse would give me.

In the end, much as I loved him, I gave him the divorce he threatened me with, year in, year out. The law took a very different view of his “calculations” and it cost him a small fortune.

I am not proud but when I think of all those years he and his two kids treated me “less than”, I feel vindicated. I was and wife and loved him. I could do no more.

TheCanaryInThePurpleSkirt · 20/12/2024 23:43

Good luck, OP. We are here, when you need us.

Balloonhearts · 20/12/2024 23:44

They're adult women who have made it clear they don't do gifts with you. Absolutely not unreasonable.