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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:
1HappyTraveller · 23/12/2024 22:17

Serene135 · 15/12/2024 17:06

I understand why you are annoyed, OP. Although I do think that if it was possible to choose a different wedding date then it would have been better to. Some people stay over in hotels for a wedding and it was her birthday the next day. She might have felt that you chose that date on purpose to be passive aggressive. On the other hand I think you have realised that they don’t really like you or care for you and you have finally decided to stop caring about them too. They are adults so I don’t think their attitude towards you is ever going to change. You’re doing the right thing by stopping the presents and the cooking for them since they don’t like you enough to reciprocate. I think your DH is in the wrong too. He can buy his daughters’ gifts himself. Maybe he feels that you no longer buying them gifts etc is the final nail in the relationship ie when you are buying and cooking for them there is a chance that you can win them around (even though this is highly unlikely).

The step-daughter is a grown woman and needs to get a grip!
It was the day before her birthday. So what if she needed to stay in a hotel and wake up on her birthday to breakfast being made for her? 🤷‍♀️
She didn’t even turn up to her dad’s wedding. She sounds selfish and spiteful!

1HappyTraveller · 23/12/2024 22:21

Mamana127 · 16/12/2024 10:11

Well yes he said his will leaves everything to his girls plus one of mine that is his split equally. My daughter is young. I put some money into the house purchase. I will be allowed to live in our home as long as I want or buy them out if I can. I’m not originally from the uk so this inheritance thing is new to me. I work very hard and earn well but he earns more than me, we were living together as partners for along time until my MIL told me I need to be married otherwise I’m not protected I said I’m very traditional and marriage should be for love and the man should ask blah blah.. she wont have any of it saying he will never ask because the “forces” wont allow him to remarry 😂 anyway I said why not and insisted we got married and we did, with this comment maybe I can look at my rights as wife to see how I’m protected. Honestly with this post I realise how naive I am and how open eyes I need to be to protect myself from being taken advantage of. Maybe it’s time to rethink things a lot.
Thank you.

Unless you signed a pre-nup my understanding is that provided you are legally married then half of the property is yours. He can
choose what to do with his half but what you do with yours is up to you. Please seek legal advice on this.

1HappyTraveller · 23/12/2024 22:32

Okay…. So ended up reading aaaalllll of the comments after I posted my comment m. Took me a while so I can’t edit that last comment, I’ve seen that you have sought advice. The rest of the thread escalated more than I had realised. I can’t believe how utterly selfish your husband has been during your relationship, your ‘D’SC are awful. I’m also sorry for the loss of your MIL, she sounded like a wise woman and a great support to you.

Best of luck @Mamana127 with everything! In the meantime I hope that you have a lovely Christmas with your family 🫂

WickedWitchOfTheEast87 · 23/12/2024 23:36

Mamana127 · 23/12/2024 20:29

Yes i have. He has listened and won’t come I hope. He said he will wait for us to return and wishes my papa quick recovery, meaning that he has not received my solicitors letter otherwise the begging would have been on a top notch at this point.

@Mamana127 you've handled this brilliantly. Reading about your husband made my jaw drop that it was nailed to the floor for a week in shock at how he has allowed and enabled his vile daughters! I would have been breathing fire at him long before now.

Don't you dare give into his begging he has only himself to blame for the situation he's in. He has allowed his horrible, nasty, entitled daughters treat you and their sister appallingly and he accepts this! Wtf has his will got to do with his ex thats a red flag so large even bloody Stevie Wonder could see it 10 miles away! His response should have been "that's not your business don't ask again"

Don't let him off with anything he needs to treat your dc together as equally as his other two brats and don't let him wear you down and rethink the divorce he has had plenty of chances to change and to stop their behaviour and he didn't.

He was quite content to allow you to be hurt, upset, disrespected and expect you just suck it up rather than find his spine. If my DP was spineless like yours it would turn me off, my vagina would be dryer than the desert!

Tanjamaltija · 24/12/2024 13:31

They are being nasty to you... and your husband is supporting their stinginess and bad manners. So - no, you are not doing anything wrong. If they look at you expectantly, tell them that since they never said they like the gifts, let alone thanked you for them, you assumed they don't want anything from you.

Fraaances · 25/12/2024 12:34

@Mamana127 I hope you had a happy Christmas with family who love and respect you, and none of the SD’s dramas. I hope your solicitor manages to sort things out with DH soon and you and your kids find yourselves in a safe and emotionally supportive environment where you are not expected to be the skivvy or the kicking post for anyone ever again.

Christmaschildcare · 27/12/2024 23:33

Really hope you and children are ok @Mamana127 x

Mamana127 · 28/12/2024 09:22

Thank you all, Christmas was lovely and chilled, you won’t believe it but where I come from we don’t do presents at all just food music and dance.
My kids forgot about presents too they haven’t asked. there is no Christmas tree either. But their presents are back in England waiting for them I couldn’t carry them. They are outside from am to pm playing with cousins.

UPDATE. my DH received my solicitor’s email and was shocked that I had decided to get a solicitor rather than speak to “my husband” like all married couples do. I told him I’ve tried talking to him but it’s in vain. He never listens to anything I say, my job is just to say yes as far as he is concerned.
Ive said he should provide everything the solicitor asked for then we start from there, he said he won’t but he is happy to show me when I get back.
Said his Will leaves everything to his 3 kids and I get the spousal pension and his life insurance benefits.
He said he has been supporting the ex financially a little bit and that’s why he keeps saying he is broke when he earns 6 figures.
I asked why he is supporting her when their kids are working and earning more than me, she works too on a very senior role so her pay won’t be low.
when they divorced she kept everything they owned and he kept his pensions only, as that is what she wanted and he had agreed as eventually his kids would inherit from her. they also made a financial order in court for a clean break.
he was paying for the girls up until they all started working.
since they divorced he got a different job earning way more than he earned when they were together and she feels entitled to his salary, he got this job after we had started living together, she refused to sell the house to downsize, and now the house is dilapidated and needs constant repair so the money he is giving her is for maintaining the house for the girls.

He constantly goes there to fix things and clear the house, he once spent a whole week cleaning and preparing her house ready for selling.
she never sold the house after that and got into a snit because we got engaged and she wasn’t told, she still hasn’t sold the house and expects money to maintain it which she has been getting.
I asked how much and he said it’s too small to even mention.

I’m so angry I pay everything 50/50 in our house and save very little yet. I’ve been taken advantage of on a larger scale than I even thought.

I’ve said to him unless he sends EVERYTHING to my solicitor I will not return I will find somewhere to go and start the divorce process. I’ve blocked him, until I return because the phone calls were getting ridiculous. He was phoning everyone including my dad to speak to me. Blocked everywhere. I just don’t know how I can be in this marriage again. I really don’t.

As usual he received his Xmas gifts and cards from his girls, my FIL also received gifts from them nothing for me or their my DD. Which is ok but at least we didn’t have to sit there and spectate as the ooohhsss and ahhhhsss they opened their gifts.

my FIL in law was so stressed he went back to his home yesterday, he said it’s the worst Christmas he has ever had, he missed his wife terribly, he missed me and the kids terribly that my DH was stressed and anxious 24/7 especially when the girls were coming.
I’m sure he missed being looked after and waited on no doubt about that. He asked me what was wrong and I said nothing I just went to see my family. they can all to hell!!!
no point talking to him he will only take his side and never ever hear me out.

so yeah I’m busy trying to find a place to stay when I get back. I’m stressed but I feel good because when I confronted my hubby about the whole situation I really told him my piece of mind. All he kept saying is that I can’t just be upset because of presents it’s silly that he put both our names on the presents anyway. Apparently his DD missed their sister very much 🙄🙄. I told him it’s not about presents anymore it’s the unfairness of my marriage.

OP posts:
1HappyTraveller · 28/12/2024 09:33

Mamana127 · 28/12/2024 09:22

Thank you all, Christmas was lovely and chilled, you won’t believe it but where I come from we don’t do presents at all just food music and dance.
My kids forgot about presents too they haven’t asked. there is no Christmas tree either. But their presents are back in England waiting for them I couldn’t carry them. They are outside from am to pm playing with cousins.

UPDATE. my DH received my solicitor’s email and was shocked that I had decided to get a solicitor rather than speak to “my husband” like all married couples do. I told him I’ve tried talking to him but it’s in vain. He never listens to anything I say, my job is just to say yes as far as he is concerned.
Ive said he should provide everything the solicitor asked for then we start from there, he said he won’t but he is happy to show me when I get back.
Said his Will leaves everything to his 3 kids and I get the spousal pension and his life insurance benefits.
He said he has been supporting the ex financially a little bit and that’s why he keeps saying he is broke when he earns 6 figures.
I asked why he is supporting her when their kids are working and earning more than me, she works too on a very senior role so her pay won’t be low.
when they divorced she kept everything they owned and he kept his pensions only, as that is what she wanted and he had agreed as eventually his kids would inherit from her. they also made a financial order in court for a clean break.
he was paying for the girls up until they all started working.
since they divorced he got a different job earning way more than he earned when they were together and she feels entitled to his salary, he got this job after we had started living together, she refused to sell the house to downsize, and now the house is dilapidated and needs constant repair so the money he is giving her is for maintaining the house for the girls.

He constantly goes there to fix things and clear the house, he once spent a whole week cleaning and preparing her house ready for selling.
she never sold the house after that and got into a snit because we got engaged and she wasn’t told, she still hasn’t sold the house and expects money to maintain it which she has been getting.
I asked how much and he said it’s too small to even mention.

I’m so angry I pay everything 50/50 in our house and save very little yet. I’ve been taken advantage of on a larger scale than I even thought.

I’ve said to him unless he sends EVERYTHING to my solicitor I will not return I will find somewhere to go and start the divorce process. I’ve blocked him, until I return because the phone calls were getting ridiculous. He was phoning everyone including my dad to speak to me. Blocked everywhere. I just don’t know how I can be in this marriage again. I really don’t.

As usual he received his Xmas gifts and cards from his girls, my FIL also received gifts from them nothing for me or their my DD. Which is ok but at least we didn’t have to sit there and spectate as the ooohhsss and ahhhhsss they opened their gifts.

my FIL in law was so stressed he went back to his home yesterday, he said it’s the worst Christmas he has ever had, he missed his wife terribly, he missed me and the kids terribly that my DH was stressed and anxious 24/7 especially when the girls were coming.
I’m sure he missed being looked after and waited on no doubt about that. He asked me what was wrong and I said nothing I just went to see my family. they can all to hell!!!
no point talking to him he will only take his side and never ever hear me out.

so yeah I’m busy trying to find a place to stay when I get back. I’m stressed but I feel good because when I confronted my hubby about the whole situation I really told him my piece of mind. All he kept saying is that I can’t just be upset because of presents it’s silly that he put both our names on the presents anyway. Apparently his DD missed their sister very much 🙄🙄. I told him it’s not about presents anymore it’s the unfairness of my marriage.

Thank you for the update OP. I can’t believe that he has continued to support his ex-wife financially on top of all of this!!!!

Sending you positive thoughts and strength throughout all of this. Enjoy the rest of your time with your family. Make sure you have the absolute best lawyer/solicitor to ensure you receive your true fair share. He doesn’t deserve you.

WickedWitchOfTheEast87 · 28/12/2024 09:35

Mamana127 · 28/12/2024 09:22

Thank you all, Christmas was lovely and chilled, you won’t believe it but where I come from we don’t do presents at all just food music and dance.
My kids forgot about presents too they haven’t asked. there is no Christmas tree either. But their presents are back in England waiting for them I couldn’t carry them. They are outside from am to pm playing with cousins.

UPDATE. my DH received my solicitor’s email and was shocked that I had decided to get a solicitor rather than speak to “my husband” like all married couples do. I told him I’ve tried talking to him but it’s in vain. He never listens to anything I say, my job is just to say yes as far as he is concerned.
Ive said he should provide everything the solicitor asked for then we start from there, he said he won’t but he is happy to show me when I get back.
Said his Will leaves everything to his 3 kids and I get the spousal pension and his life insurance benefits.
He said he has been supporting the ex financially a little bit and that’s why he keeps saying he is broke when he earns 6 figures.
I asked why he is supporting her when their kids are working and earning more than me, she works too on a very senior role so her pay won’t be low.
when they divorced she kept everything they owned and he kept his pensions only, as that is what she wanted and he had agreed as eventually his kids would inherit from her. they also made a financial order in court for a clean break.
he was paying for the girls up until they all started working.
since they divorced he got a different job earning way more than he earned when they were together and she feels entitled to his salary, he got this job after we had started living together, she refused to sell the house to downsize, and now the house is dilapidated and needs constant repair so the money he is giving her is for maintaining the house for the girls.

He constantly goes there to fix things and clear the house, he once spent a whole week cleaning and preparing her house ready for selling.
she never sold the house after that and got into a snit because we got engaged and she wasn’t told, she still hasn’t sold the house and expects money to maintain it which she has been getting.
I asked how much and he said it’s too small to even mention.

I’m so angry I pay everything 50/50 in our house and save very little yet. I’ve been taken advantage of on a larger scale than I even thought.

I’ve said to him unless he sends EVERYTHING to my solicitor I will not return I will find somewhere to go and start the divorce process. I’ve blocked him, until I return because the phone calls were getting ridiculous. He was phoning everyone including my dad to speak to me. Blocked everywhere. I just don’t know how I can be in this marriage again. I really don’t.

As usual he received his Xmas gifts and cards from his girls, my FIL also received gifts from them nothing for me or their my DD. Which is ok but at least we didn’t have to sit there and spectate as the ooohhsss and ahhhhsss they opened their gifts.

my FIL in law was so stressed he went back to his home yesterday, he said it’s the worst Christmas he has ever had, he missed his wife terribly, he missed me and the kids terribly that my DH was stressed and anxious 24/7 especially when the girls were coming.
I’m sure he missed being looked after and waited on no doubt about that. He asked me what was wrong and I said nothing I just went to see my family. they can all to hell!!!
no point talking to him he will only take his side and never ever hear me out.

so yeah I’m busy trying to find a place to stay when I get back. I’m stressed but I feel good because when I confronted my hubby about the whole situation I really told him my piece of mind. All he kept saying is that I can’t just be upset because of presents it’s silly that he put both our names on the presents anyway. Apparently his DD missed their sister very much 🙄🙄. I told him it’s not about presents anymore it’s the unfairness of my marriage.

Omg @Mamana127 he has been financially supporting his ex whilst making you pay 50/50 in everything including buying his ungrateful brats presents with not even a bloody card! Good for you for standing your ground what a selfish thoughtless bastard

Tanjamaltija · 28/12/2024 09:46

So, he divorced his wife in deed but not in finances. Ugly. She is using the daughters as a carrot for him, and a whip for you. Uglier. He is trying to play you for a fool. Ugliest.

LePetitMaman · 28/12/2024 09:59

I can tell you something right now. He hasn't been giving the ex a "small" amount.

You'll be shocked when you find out. He's literally been using you to pay bills so he can bankroll three other adult women. He's scum. And I hope you absolutely ruin him xx

Floralnomad · 28/12/2024 10:09

LePetitMaman · 28/12/2024 09:59

I can tell you something right now. He hasn't been giving the ex a "small" amount.

You'll be shocked when you find out. He's literally been using you to pay bills so he can bankroll three other adult women. He's scum. And I hope you absolutely ruin him xx

Totally agree that this will be the truth , keep strong @Mamana127

Mamana127 · 28/12/2024 10:21

It’s sad because I promised my MIL I’d fight for my marriage. I’m also never money focused as such. But I’m waking up to the reality that everyone is at 100% money focused and nothing else.
Ive just been wondering why this man married me. Was it because he didn’t want to pay for our child? Because it’s not because of love. Me believing that the crumbs I got from was him being nice is painful for me to bear!

I don’t know what Im going to get out of this my Solicitor says I should go for everything 50/50 but I’m so nervous about the whole thing, I know it’s not my money and feel bad asking for it especially the inheritance money he got from MIL. My MIL gave me money when my daughter was born without telling anyone and made me promise I would never tell. I don’t know if he knows. She said that was my “rainy day gift” and I’ve invested that. She also publicly left abit of money for my DD as a gift on her will.
My conscious just isnt liking the idea of taking money off him and him starting allover again as he did with the ex wife, that crippled him financially.
When we met his parents were supporting him financially a lot. Then they sold their home which was beautiful and gave him money to start allover again.
I just feel like I should leave and take what belongs to me and leave him to it, if I work out from what his salary is what he will pay for CM for our DD it’s a lot of money and I feel that should be enough. 😢
My solicitor says it’s my money too and I’m money naive. 😢 but there is more to life than money really and it causes so much hurt 😢

OP posts:
CandidHedgehog · 28/12/2024 10:57

If you won’t go after the money you are entitled to for yourself, you should do it for your daughter. Your (not so) DH has demonstrated she will always come very much behind her half-siblings. After all the ways you’ve been lied to and financially exploited by this man, I suspect the only way she will get any sort of inheritance from her father is if you get money in the divorce and invest it for her.

FreebieWallopFridge · 28/12/2024 10:59

Your solicitor is right.

And your MIL did an absolutely masterful job of setting you up to replace her as his new emotional support human. She’s manipulated you so much that you can’t even see what she’s done.

You owe your MIL nothing.

Listen to your solicitor, stop being naive, and stop thinking your husband or his family had your best interest at heart. None of them did before, and none of them do now.

Mamana127 · 28/12/2024 11:05

CandidHedgehog · 28/12/2024 10:57

If you won’t go after the money you are entitled to for yourself, you should do it for your daughter. Your (not so) DH has demonstrated she will always come very much behind her half-siblings. After all the ways you’ve been lied to and financially exploited by this man, I suspect the only way she will get any sort of inheritance from her father is if you get money in the divorce and invest it for her.

@CandidHedgehog,
This is true and my Solicitor has said the same, I just wish deep inside I can feel this and be ok with it without feeling any guilt. I know it’s the right thing to do but my conscious is really heavy on it. I don’t want to feel this way, I feel rage for the way he has treated us and I also know he will never be fair or treat me any better, even though he is promising now that he now realises how unfair he has been and things will change.

OP posts:
1HappyTraveller · 28/12/2024 11:24

Mamana127 · 28/12/2024 10:21

It’s sad because I promised my MIL I’d fight for my marriage. I’m also never money focused as such. But I’m waking up to the reality that everyone is at 100% money focused and nothing else.
Ive just been wondering why this man married me. Was it because he didn’t want to pay for our child? Because it’s not because of love. Me believing that the crumbs I got from was him being nice is painful for me to bear!

I don’t know what Im going to get out of this my Solicitor says I should go for everything 50/50 but I’m so nervous about the whole thing, I know it’s not my money and feel bad asking for it especially the inheritance money he got from MIL. My MIL gave me money when my daughter was born without telling anyone and made me promise I would never tell. I don’t know if he knows. She said that was my “rainy day gift” and I’ve invested that. She also publicly left abit of money for my DD as a gift on her will.
My conscious just isnt liking the idea of taking money off him and him starting allover again as he did with the ex wife, that crippled him financially.
When we met his parents were supporting him financially a lot. Then they sold their home which was beautiful and gave him money to start allover again.
I just feel like I should leave and take what belongs to me and leave him to it, if I work out from what his salary is what he will pay for CM for our DD it’s a lot of money and I feel that should be enough. 😢
My solicitor says it’s my money too and I’m money naive. 😢 but there is more to life than money really and it causes so much hurt 😢

It is your money too.
I bet your MIL would encourage you to go for half - especially knowing how sh*tty his kids have been to you. If she’d have known about the financial support to the ex-wife I also suspect she’d be livid!

You’ve got this!!!! 💪🏻

rainingsnoring · 28/12/2024 11:39

If it helps, reframe the 50/50 as doing it for your DD. You need to support her. Who knows what tricks your STBXH will play along the road.

LePetitMaman · 28/12/2024 12:28

My conscious just isnt liking the idea of taking money off him and him starting allover again as he did with the ex wife, that crippled him financially.

@Mamana127 calm down and think. I know your world is reeling right now. The pain of realising you've been used is hard to see past.

Let's look at that sentence. Your conscience isn't liking that you'll cripple him like the ex. Do you mean the ex he's been handing voluntary money to behind your back every month? Oh how awful he must feel towards her, so awful he's handing her free money. While you pay his bills.

How's your conscience now?

Mamana127 · 28/12/2024 14:24

I will do the right thing by my daughter and myself.

OP posts:
asthecrowdwaschantingmore · 28/12/2024 17:18

Do right by your daughter and yourself. Take what you're entitled to take.

You've come last in your entire marriage. You've been shat upon in your marriage. Your own DC came last with you, too, frankly. Note the no presents for them unless you sorted it ... just the older DDs. At least start over with everything you're entitled to.

Mymymble · 28/12/2024 18:43

Commiserations on your awful experience.
Am I right that you, your children and your wider family are currently living in one country and your husband in England? If you’re in different countries how will 50/50 custody work? Is your youngest excpected to take flights twice a fortnight? You need to take lots of advice over this.
even if it’s a medium large distance over the UK it’s a factor.

1HappyTraveller · 28/12/2024 20:08

Mymymble · 28/12/2024 18:43

Commiserations on your awful experience.
Am I right that you, your children and your wider family are currently living in one country and your husband in England? If you’re in different countries how will 50/50 custody work? Is your youngest excpected to take flights twice a fortnight? You need to take lots of advice over this.
even if it’s a medium large distance over the UK it’s a factor.

OP is visiting family for Christmas. Made a last minute trip. She hasn’t been home for years because her husband refused and prioritised only his family. They are currently there.

saffronspices · 28/12/2024 20:54

First consideration is where do you fit in if he were to die - he's left the house to his 3 daughters - that doesn't cover you.

Secondly, why on earth is he contributing to the upkeep of a property he has no financial interest in?

I'm glad you've had some time away with your family, space to think and get the girls away from that awful situation. Your husband needs to grow a pair - he sounds a nightmare, his ex is a leech as are his 2 daughters.