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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To have reacted like this to my parents?

36 replies

User1033 · 29/01/2025 18:58

I am late 30s. I have a 3 year old. When I was five months pregnant my partner left me. He didn’t see our daughter until she was 14 months. I had to chase him to pay via cms. I was understandably very distressed by all of this, I struggled to cope with my pregnancy as I never planned on doing it alone and it was horrendous giving birth and taking my baby home without their father.

My parents know that ex sees dd once a week since he met her when she was 14 months. He has chosen not to have her to stay over (though does live a considerable distance so it wouldn’t be easy at the moment). Last week my dad said he thought it was shame we didn’t all integrate together and that I don’t want ex to be present with them (my parents) even though I am sometimes with dd with ex. I was appalled he said this and was immediately defensive, asking why he would want to be around a man who did that to me and why would I want that? He said what about birthday parties in the future and I said ex can celebrate with her and I will always ensure she has a party with me and my parents. My dad said dd would question that when she grew up and I said it was entirely reasonable for me to have this boundary that I don’t want my parents and ex spending time together. I was extremely upset and called him an awful father to expect this of me and that I didn’t really have any idea why he would even want that after this man did what he did to me.

we haven’t spoken now for a week. I have been horrendously upset by it all and although I am usually quick to want to sort out any conflict, I can’t face even speaking to them after this. I haven’t heard from them. Aibu?

please be kind (even if honest!) with responses as I am very fragile.

OP posts:
Princessconsuelabananahammock9 · 29/01/2025 19:43

I don't think calling your father an an awful dad is ok.

In the future for school events and birthdays it is nice if everyone can be there for your dd.

My ex was abusive. He's still my son's Dad though and we have to co-parent a lot.

allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld · 29/01/2025 19:46

@User1033 I am actually at a loss as to why your father would think this was remotely possible!!! his loyalty is supposed to be to you and your child. definitely not supposed to show any loyalty to the nasty sperm donor!! pretty shocked also at the audacity of the sperm donor showing up when your dc was 14 months old!!! totally missed out on all the hard work!!!

W0tnow · 29/01/2025 19:48

allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld · 29/01/2025 19:46

@User1033 I am actually at a loss as to why your father would think this was remotely possible!!! his loyalty is supposed to be to you and your child. definitely not supposed to show any loyalty to the nasty sperm donor!! pretty shocked also at the audacity of the sperm donor showing up when your dc was 14 months old!!! totally missed out on all the hard work!!!

Edited

I suspect his priorities are going to his grandchild.

Purinea · 29/01/2025 19:53

YANBU for not wanting them to spend time together, but YABU for how you handled it.
in fairness to your dad this ex spends time with DD and even you spend time with him. So maybe he’s thinking if you can accept it for DDs sake then this is the same.

Calmhappyandhealthy · 29/01/2025 19:54

Your Dad suggested that as DD is seeing HER Dad (your ex) it might be nice if sometimes you, ex, DD and grandparents did things together

All you needed to say was "that wouldn't work for me, Dad, because ex treated me really badly and I find being around him very challenging"

Why all the drama?

Barrenfieldoffucks · 29/01/2025 20:06

TidyDancer · 29/01/2025 19:31

It sounds like you're reacting out of understandable hurt but your dad hasn't said anything massively unreasonable, it didn't sound to me like he was desperate to spend time with your ex, just that for your DD's sake he was floating the idea of it which isn't terrible. I certainly don't think he deserved to be called an awful father for it.

Your ex behaved appallingly but it doesn't mean he was abusive.

I think the best thing you can do really is give yourself time to calm down, apologise to your dad and explain you're still feeling very hurt by what happened with your ex. I'm sure he'll understand.

Agreed. Your ex was a shit, but your dad isn't wanting to be his mate and go to the pub together, he wants everyone to be grown ups as and when the circumstances arise that it might make sense for them to be in the same room.

I don't really understand the drama and awful dad comments? It would make more sense if you were refusing to see him or whatever, but your boundary is that you don't want your parents to see him? Odd.

StepAwayFromGoogling · 29/01/2025 20:12

Calmhappyandhealthy · 29/01/2025 19:54

Your Dad suggested that as DD is seeing HER Dad (your ex) it might be nice if sometimes you, ex, DD and grandparents did things together

All you needed to say was "that wouldn't work for me, Dad, because ex treated me really badly and I find being around him very challenging"

Why all the drama?

Yep, this.

user123212 · 29/01/2025 20:57

I get what you're saying, your ex doesn't deserve a happy gathering with family.

However I'm sure your dd would love it and would create nice memories for her. I think this is what your father was suggesting. He clearly didn't realise how awful it would make you feel.

Maybe just pick up the phone and talk with him?

Enko · 29/01/2025 21:07

@User1033 my parents divorced wheb I was 5. I haven't spend a birthday with my father since then and I was 28 and a mother myself before I spend a christmas with again. It did not make or break our relationship it was just the norm.

Haveyouanyjam · 29/01/2025 21:46

Honestly, as much as I understand your hurt, I would prefer my parent was open to being civil with my ex for the sake of my DD than held a grudge and never wanted to be around them, as if you can deal with it, then so can they. It sounds like he was just wondering and it also sounds like you aren’t ready for that. Which is also okay.

Hollyhocksandlarkspur · 29/01/2025 22:02

OP I completely understand the hurt you must feel at your DH not understanding how traumatic your horrible experiences with ex were at a very vulnerable time. You were there for your DC while he just opted out and treated you appallingly.

He certainly does not deserve to be included in your own family gatherings as if he is a lovely involved caring dad. If ge wants to give DD parties and celebrations he can do so with his own family. Your DD doesn’t have him around most of the time so it will just be normal for her, especially as he was completely absent for that first year plus.

You are being pretty gracious to even put up with being with him once a week. Maybe when the dust settles you can talk to your parents and find out what your DF thought by his suggestiin and then ask him to try to understand what you went through and how you need strong boundaries now. I hooe he can understand. What does your DM say?

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