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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

He's died... AIBU to feel bitter

44 replies

golf7 · 04/02/2025 03:16

When i was growing up my dad or the man I thought was my dad worked away alot. I woke up one night when I was little and heard my mum in bed having sex with someone. I knew my dad was working away . To this day I can still remember the feeling of fear panic and terror hearing what was happening.

When I woke for school next morning this man was folding up blankets on the sofa . He was My mums friend and he had stayed over. Only I know he didn't.

I can't explain how or why but it planted this seed of doubt in my mind. When I reached my teen years my older brothers who had moved out and were adults told me this friend was likely in fact my father. My dad who worked away was a married man leading a double life with my mum and had a vasectomy before I was born. He knew I wasn't his but played the role of 'dad' when was able.

Wind forward many years and both of these men disappeared from my life without so much of a backwards glance. And I began looking for them to establish paternity. Asking my mum just resulted in lies , bullshit and more questions that it answered.

I tracked down both and it turned out actually neither was My father. The search went on and 2 more men entered the frame. One was my brothers boss and another was my mums old employer. Turns out it was him who was mu dad. He died when I was a child seemingly not knowing I exited. (I did dna testing with his other children so no issue with paternity )

Essentially 4 men in the frame. I was given the first name of one last name of another. Middle names of a third. 3 of the ones who knew about me. 1 knew ibcouldnt he his. The other 2 thought I probably was but did nothing to find out. Then abandoned me and pissed off. It took me looking for them.

Well the last one of those men died today. He's the one I heard with my mum in the night.

My memories are of a teddy and certain piece of jewellery he brought me. My mum would burn incense when he had been round to hide the smell of his aftershave. He picked me up from school once. I can picture him standing against his car smiling at me. The other 2 memories are hearing him that night and seeing him all over my mum through a slightly open door.

But he's died today.
I feel sad. Sad for that inner child. That little girl.

I also hope he died alone. Alone the way he left me. Alone and I felt abandoned. I have all my life. I have an anxious attachment style. I ended up in an abusive marriage. My husband would punch and beat me and say my dad never f*ing wanted me .

He left me alone in life. Now he's left me in death. They all have now. All of those men.

He's the last one. It's opened every wound. And horrible thoughts. Nasty thoughts.

Someone handhold x

OP posts:
Smittenkitchen · 04/02/2025 03:23

I'm so sorry you've been through that, OP. It's no wonder you have so many conflicting feelings about these figures in your life and about your mum too, I'm sure. It must have been so confusing and destabilising for you as a child and still as an adult. Hand holding here with you OP. You are worthy and loveable and didn't deserve any do that.

golf7 · 04/02/2025 03:28

Because of how my mum was my brothers got out when they could and I didn't see much of them as I grew up. I re established contact as an adult. They are my half brothers. They all have the same dad. I didn't.

My mum clearly had her reasons. All the men she got involved with were married. She was a single mum raising 3 teen sons alone. She was probably lonely . She's alone in life now and I feel very sad for her . I just want her to say sorry and I would put alot of it to bed. But she won't.

I messaged one brother tonight to tell him as they all knew this man. He asked patiently how I felt. And he said he was sorry for not being there as I grew up. He had his own issues.

I cried when I read it. It mattered someone's said they are sorry.

It's led me to so many issues. I never feel I fit in anywhere and I have an intense obsessional fear people will leave me. That I will be alone.

It's awful really.
I am 40 this year and it never goes away. Guess its just under the microscope today

OP posts:
Giggorata · 04/02/2025 03:35

Wow, handhold here. 💐 What a mix up. I am so sorry that you had all that to contend with as a vulnerable child.
Please know that not one of these men were worthy of you.
Including your arse of a husband.

I had the sort of birth mother that I would never get any truth out of too, still less an apology. I felt about her much as you do about yours, I think.
I'm so glad one of your brothers understands a bit.

You write with great courage and insight about your childhood experiences, and I hope that at some point, maybe when the acute pain of all this has quietened a little, that you might consider therapy, to help you deal with the memories of each of those who let you down, maybe address your anxious attachment style, and realise that you are deserving of love and friendship.

lovemyboyz247 · 04/02/2025 03:41

You have been through a lot and I'm glad you felt you could reach out to one of your brothers and he has acknowledged your feelings.

Have you had any counselling? If not, would you consider it? It may help you to speak to someone professional about this to help you process your feelings.

Giving you a handhold x

Smittenkitchen · 04/02/2025 03:41

It shows you have a lot of empathy that you can imagine that your mum had her reasons for engaging in behaviour which hurt you so much. I'm sure it's true but that doesn't negate how it effected you. It sounds like it could be valuable for you to continue and strengthen your relationship with your brothers. It can be really grounding and comforting to have a good relationship with siblings, I think, even when parents have been lacking, or especially then. It completely makes sense that this recent death has brought it all up for you. It seems like he represented something for you that you've been longing for. I wonder if you've ever had any therapy? I'm sure this start in life has shaped you in a way that probably can't be undone but I think the right kind of help could bring you a sense of acceptance and peace.

golf7 · 04/02/2025 03:48

I had PND when I had my first child at 20. I spent 14 weeks in hospital so therapy was part and parcel. But I had only began a tentative search so there's been more since. Therapy probably has its uses at various different stages of life's path.

I am older now. I now know who my dad is. They have all died now
My family of my own kids is complete. My marriage ended . So maybe with all that age and some wisdom now it would be more beneficial. I am mature with enough insight and life to really get rhe benefit. Maybe I will have to sort my finances in a few months and go back into therapy now some of this chapter has come to its own natural conclusion.

The poster mentioning my empathy and my mother. Yes her dad left when she was little
I believe these married man represented him to a degree. She was lonely they sensed that and exploited it to a degree. She played them too make no mistake
But she subconsciously probably wanted one to pick her. The way her dad didn't.

It's a pattern I have seen played out myself but I appreciate I could be wide of the mark with my theories

OP posts:
KittenPause · 04/02/2025 03:54

Sounds about right OP

Although you'll never really know

It's good you're in touch with your brother and he has responded positively

He might need you as much as you need him right now maybe

mumedu · 04/02/2025 04:49

I am so sorry OP.

Whistledown2 · 04/02/2025 05:07

My heart goes out to you OP. A plethora of emotions there having to unpick each one.

The inner child made a lot of sense to me some years ago (I don't feel I fit in either) it may help you to get some counselling now around that subject.

Your Brother seems to have some empathy, and has probably also lived with thoughts and feelings that were uncomfortable for him.

I hope you find inner peace OP I really do.

RedHelenB · 04/02/2025 05:11

That man wasn't your father though? As an adult now, surely you can see that he owed you nothing?
It's shit not knowing your parents but don't allow it to define your future. Have the relationships you want, if they're not working out then move on.

malificent7 · 04/02/2025 05:26

Well he owed it to the op not to have sex with her mum in the next door room loud enough to wake her really.

Whistledown2 · 04/02/2025 05:30

@RedHelenB I think that is a rather harsh, very black and white post. There is nothing black and white about the OPs post, if only it was.

Devon24 · 04/02/2025 05:39

Op I am so sorry. The loss is a real feeling. Now they have all died, there is no chance of having that need met.

if your mother can not see the pain this has caused you, it might be best to talk to a counsellor again.

Have you tried CBT? Working on acceptance and abandonment issues. You can take care of that inner child now you are an adult. You can provide safety, security and self love for yourself, but you might need some help learning how to do it. You have never been shown.

They have taken a lot from you already in terms of time and energy,I hope you can find a way to leave the past in the past, nurture the little girl inside of you and give her the best possible future -she deserves to be loved and cared for.

The neglect you experienced as a small child is very sad op, but try to enjoy what you do have now. So you can be free of the past.

golf7 · 04/02/2025 05:46

He owed me an apology for abandoning me like I was nothing when he thought he 'probably' was my father. His words. Not mine.

He didn't care enough to even find out. Simply left assuming I was his child.
Scum of the earth really

A sorry would have been sufficient.

OP posts:
Devon24 · 04/02/2025 06:04

golf7 · 04/02/2025 05:46

He owed me an apology for abandoning me like I was nothing when he thought he 'probably' was my father. His words. Not mine.

He didn't care enough to even find out. Simply left assuming I was his child.
Scum of the earth really

A sorry would have been sufficient.

And maybe he was sorry at the end, maybe he lived with regret and thoughts. He may not have shared his private thoughts, but it doesn’t mean he didn’t have them. I am sorry op for a while he was a father figure to you.

Whydoyoucarewhatido · 04/02/2025 06:12

Agree with @Devon24 What happened to you is truly awful and no child should suffer that. But therapy can help you process the damage done to you. None of this was your fault, but if you can reach a place of acceptance (not forgiveness, I think that’s a whole other thing) but acceptance that this happened when it shouldn’t have, you might be able to let go of some of the negative and very painful feelings around it which are affecting you now. You deserve some peace op. Sending a big handhold xxx

Semiramide · 04/02/2025 06:18

lovemyboyz247 · 04/02/2025 03:41

You have been through a lot and I'm glad you felt you could reach out to one of your brothers and he has acknowledged your feelings.

Have you had any counselling? If not, would you consider it? It may help you to speak to someone professional about this to help you process your feelings.

Giving you a handhold x

Totally this.

@golf7 - counsellings will help you. Don't try to get to grips with your childhood trauma on your own.

Bagladygirl · 04/02/2025 06:35

golf7 · 04/02/2025 03:28

Because of how my mum was my brothers got out when they could and I didn't see much of them as I grew up. I re established contact as an adult. They are my half brothers. They all have the same dad. I didn't.

My mum clearly had her reasons. All the men she got involved with were married. She was a single mum raising 3 teen sons alone. She was probably lonely . She's alone in life now and I feel very sad for her . I just want her to say sorry and I would put alot of it to bed. But she won't.

I messaged one brother tonight to tell him as they all knew this man. He asked patiently how I felt. And he said he was sorry for not being there as I grew up. He had his own issues.

I cried when I read it. It mattered someone's said they are sorry.

It's led me to so many issues. I never feel I fit in anywhere and I have an intense obsessional fear people will leave me. That I will be alone.

It's awful really.
I am 40 this year and it never goes away. Guess its just under the microscope today

I feel for you. I can identify with that push and pull feeling of intense fear you will be abondoned coupled with pushing everyone away to avoid being hurt, And subconsciously choosing partners who are trash and will play on your trauma.
im 44 and after having to cut off my whole
family to save my mental health and not feel like a piece of crap I decided I'm going to build my own family and network. We can still break that chain xx

ladycarlotta · 04/02/2025 06:36

RedHelenB · 04/02/2025 05:11

That man wasn't your father though? As an adult now, surely you can see that he owed you nothing?
It's shit not knowing your parents but don't allow it to define your future. Have the relationships you want, if they're not working out then move on.

Oh that's that sorted then, glad you were here to set OP straight at last.

illegalSausage · 04/02/2025 06:36

Was paternity testing an option at the time? It's remarkable you find empathy for your mum, I'd be livid at her. She had multiple men coming and going, loud sex with children at home, shagged married men, lied and continues to lie about your dad. I hope in time you find the empathy for your dad as well. The times were different and your mum is largely to blame tbh. It's good that guy tried to pretend to have been sleeping on the sofa. Lonely doesn't excuse your mums behaviour, this tangled mess is mum's fault.

illegalSausage · 04/02/2025 06:41

ladycarlotta · 04/02/2025 06:36

Oh that's that sorted then, glad you were here to set OP straight at last.

But the poster is right. Why is it on a random cheating man who wasn't faithful to his own family to look after his mistress's child? This is the mum's responsibility and wrong. The mum opened their home up for sex with married men and got pregnant by random men, deceived the op as to who her father was that the older children had to tell.

illegalSausage · 04/02/2025 06:45

golf7 · 04/02/2025 05:46

He owed me an apology for abandoning me like I was nothing when he thought he 'probably' was my father. His words. Not mine.

He didn't care enough to even find out. Simply left assuming I was his child.
Scum of the earth really

A sorry would have been sufficient.

Ok but maybe he thought this once and then didn't, some new information or behaviour was seen and he was doubtful or changed his mind, maybe your mum told him to leave you both. There would be more you didn't know of their dynamics but you are siding too much with your mum.

Inthebleakmidwinter1 · 04/02/2025 06:45

It’s very strong of you to give your mother the compassion empathy and understanding she deserves. I hope you can do the same for yourself x

milveycrohn · 04/02/2025 07:00

If this man was not married to your mother, and he was not your biological father, then he had no rights to continue to see you, and your DM may have made things very difficult for him to remain in contact. No one seems to have thought of the effect on the OP though, which has obviously had a lasting effect on the OP's life.

Craftyfloral · 04/02/2025 07:07

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