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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Shared bedroom on holidays with new partner - 8yo not yet met partner

18 replies

Momof1g · 10/07/2025 04:31

I am having a really hard time communicating with my ex on this topic, and most topics tbf. My daughter is 8, she just learnt about our split almost a year ago now. We split 05/24 after a 9 year relationship and he was in a new one the next month. Despite being in a new relationship he refused to move out of our rental property until just March this year, so 4 months ago. We made agreements early on that it should be a year before any new partners would be introduced to give child time to adjust to separation and relationships should be at least 6 months before any intros. I did not expect to have to live with him for another 7 months after. He is now twisting the narrative and stating the wait of one year was the relationship length and he has waited a year, no concerns for her emotional readiness or that this is still so fresh for her. Doesn't seem to understand that they are two totally separate things.

So we're now 4 months living separate and I just learnt through daughter that for their upcoming holiday in November that her dad's 'friend' would be sharing a room with them. I was not informed about this when I agreed to holiday. I have expressed my concerns that even intros are a bit soon since he only recently moved out and she is still adjusting to that and the possibility that the cohabiting may have caused confusion that there was hope for the relationship to rekindle. I've asked that initial intros should be delayed. She's started with a play therapist and I've asked that he at least waits a few weeks to see where she is at emotionally based on professional feedback. He is refusing to await feedback on her readiness and is in a huge rush to introduce. I'm guessing this is because deep down he knows the therapist will say it's too soon and will play dumb when she confirms that and say 'well it's too late now'. He has mentioned that between now and November he will 'slowly' introduce with small playdates and overnight stays in a campervan (essentially sharing the one room). I am not in anyway comfortable about even planning for overnight stays or holidays when the child has not even met partner and we have no idea how she will react. And I think it is far too soon and incredibly inappropriate to be sharing a bedroom with her dad and his partner. I've let him know I am not in agreement to the holiday with the gf joining, I feel like he's using the holiday as a way to emotionally bribe her with this exciting trip and slipping the gf in there in the process. I don't want to have to pull the plug on it because she is really excited because her cousins are going. I just can't understand why he couldn't just enjoy this time with her without adding this discomfort. The new partner will be another big adjustment in a short time, which is more reason for why it should just be her and her dad enjoying this quality time. He is totally disregarding my concerns and just responds with personal attacks - instead I'm jealous, insecure, petty ect. I've never been more happy and content in my life since I left him. To him the topic is not up for discussion and he thinks he can work away without my agreement, which obviously is not the case when it comes to travel abroad.

Apologies on the lengthyyyyy post. But I'm interested to hearing thoughts on the introduction timeline and the shared sleeping arrangements, I want to ensure I am being reasonable and I'm willing to be challenged on it because I want to do what's best for her.

Oh and to add, this man is a social care professional who has studied child development!

OP posts:
SDmdzMn · 10/07/2025 04:40

What's best for her is a strong healthy bond with her father. You just have to trust him.

Largestlegocollectionever · 10/07/2025 05:03

You’ve advised, he’s not listened, there’s nothing more you can or should do.

YABU if you try and block or stop the holiday.

SaintGermain · 10/07/2025 05:14

If they are going away in November, instead of delaying an introduction you should be encouraging an introduction so that child and her fathers partner can form a bond before going away.

Thingyfanding · 10/07/2025 05:16

YANBU but there is nothing that can be done unfortunately. I’ve been with my boyfriend for 2 years and he hasn’t met my children yet,
I’m always amazed how quickly people introduce their children to ‘new partners’
I’m sorry he’s such a dick, Hopefully the new partner is kind and your daughter will have a nice time.

FlowersandElephants · 10/07/2025 05:18

Honestly I think you’re causing more issues here.
He has a few months before November to introduce them, kids are good at adapting (excluding any SEN etc) and like meeting new people.
Seems like you may have been hoping for a reconciliation and now he’s moved out and is planning holidays with his partner you know that won’t happen.

JMSA · 10/07/2025 05:24

I just can’t understand why he couldn’t just enjoy this time with her without adding this discomfort

Because he’s selfish and weak. In my experience, men find it harder to be on their own.
Unfortunately, OP, resisting the inevitable will be a waste of your energy. You’re going to have to work with him instead, for the good of your child (as difficult and annoying as that is).
Good luck.

Perrenial · 10/07/2025 05:26

I agree with you but there’s nothing you can do. I asked my ex to wait 3 months to introduce his new GF, he couldn’t even manage that & did what he wanted anyway.

All you can do is be there for your daughter & talk to her about any worries she has.

Secretsquirels · 10/07/2025 05:39

I agree with the other posters that unfortunately you can’t do anything about this, and that if he’s going to introduce so early and plan holidays (which I wouldn’t like either) that his plan of slowly getting them to know each other is the best of a bad choice. They may have broken up by November anyway!

If she’s going away with cousins is there any way she can share a room with cousins instead of with Dad?

I think I’d be tempted to change tack and say to Dad “I am trying really hard here to prevent you damaging your relationship with X but discussing it with you doesn’t seem to be working. It is, of course, your decision so I’m going to step back and leave you to make it. But I want to be clear that if this action stops X wanting contact with you now, or in the future, it will also be your responsibility to fix that and I won’t get involved or force her”.

That sort of approach sometimes works better with my kids dad than trying to get him to agree something where he feels like I’m telling him what to do.

Needspaceforlego · 10/07/2025 05:49

Op November is months away introducing her slowly makes sense.

Do you think she was on the scene before you actually split?

@Secretsquirels Assuming the cousins are also children not really appropriate for them to be sharing a hotel room without an adult.
And her being in with the cousins probably means their parents sharing with the Ops Ex and Partner, which just isn't going to happen.
Many hotel rooms are set up for 2 adults in a double and 2 kids in bunks.

Zanatdy · 10/07/2025 05:53

I agree with you completely, but unfortunately if he won’t listen there isn’t much you can do.

whynotmereally · 10/07/2025 05:53

You are separated , you chose how you parent and he choses how he parents. Better if you are on the same page but thet can’t always be the case. What you need to do is accept this is happening and support your dd best you can in making it a positive experience

Moonnstars · 10/07/2025 05:54

I agree that he needs to start the introductions now. It sounds like a messy situation in that you were separated for longer than you felt simply due to being stuck living together.
I am not clear on how long her has actually been with her.
I think the more he brings gf along when he has DD the better, as if she isn't interested in kids then I am sure she will drop out of the holiday.

Chickychickybye · 10/07/2025 05:56

I’ve been the ‘step partner’ before on a holiday where we all had to share a family room. I was nervous about it and my main thing was making sure the kids felt happy and settled. I ended up on the sofa bed and both kids in with Dad in the big bed. We were all fine in the morning! #somestepmumsarenice :)

Climbinghigher · 10/07/2025 05:57

Agree he’s not prioritising her. Quick introductions risk multiple separations/losses which is where the damage lies. Unfortunately you can’t do much except be the stable parent who prioritises her.

Springtimehere · 10/07/2025 06:00

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

MiddleClassProblem · 10/07/2025 06:03

Is there any way she can share a room with her cousins?

doglover92 · 10/07/2025 06:03

You asked for a year and I might be wrong but it’s been a year?! Just because he didn't move out for whatever reason, he’s still been with her for a year? Surely it is plenty of time for him to introduce her now slowly and then go on the holiday. It sounds like there will never be a ‘right time’ for him to introduce them in your opinion.

Step5678 · 10/07/2025 06:10

I would be very uncomfortable with it too, OP. Ask him how he would feel if the situation was reversed and it was your new boyfriend?

I've been the child in this situation, wheeled out to put on a happy family show for the new girlfriend and it's awful. He should be prioritising your daughter's needs, and listening to the play therapist would be the decent thing to do. He should also want to bond with his daughter 1:1 on holiday rather than making it about a new family setup.

In terms of what you can actually do about it... i guess you don't have any formal custody arrangement yet so you can just say no and tell your daughter that the trip will happen another time.

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