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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Worried grandma, son meeting up with new gf, leaving behind his 3 y/o dd for up to 5 days at a time. Sole custody. Other end of country.

63 replies

Starpigeon · 04/11/2025 18:19

So my adult son has a 3 y/o daughter who he has sole custody for. Mother walked out deciding she didn’t want to be mum and has gone no contact with child. Very sad for all involved. He was evicted from his home as had to give up work to care for her alone. Had to stay in hotels in a different town for around 6 months then moved to a parent and child shelter in home town before finally being accepted for social housing. So granddaughter especially has had very unsettled time this last year. He has now been in new house for around 4 months, he’s messy, won’t let anyone in so knows he has an issue but won’t do what he needs to do. I understand he’s probably overwhelmed. I myself raised 3 children in my 20’s alone after suffering dv from their dad. And am raising another 3 as a 40 something 2 teens (1 with significant special needs,)and a 9 y/o. I help where I can mostly but sometimes it feels like it’s expected of me regardless of how I feel. My son has started to date a lady down the other side of the country he met online. The first time he met her he took gd with him. I had a pop at him and said if I did that to meet a man off the internet with a baby with me there would be uproar and there’s nothing different in regards to risk because he didn’t at that point know for certain who he would be meeting. So the next time he went (3 days) I had grand daughter, he came home a day late after dropping her to mine with minimal belongings and clothes, I went shopping and spent £300+ on clothes and essentials for her. No thanks off dad for that. Then he wanted to go again a month later I said no as I’d already had a convocation with him regarding him demanding for me to look after her while he worked, he wanted me to have her overnight during the week for the whole week, so essentially I look after her for 5 days a week full time and he will pop by before work and have her on the weekends. I did have her a few nights a week at the start of summer hols but had already booked a week away camping with my own children so told him I couldn’t do those weeks, I got the feeling he was expecting me to take her but I said no. That was planned for my own children. He started having his dad look after her, which in itself is a real concern as the man was very violent with me when we were together and had been on and off drugs (anphetamines) for at least 20 years so has periods of psychosis, we have been split up for 20+ years but he tries his hardest to find out where I live. Has told my kids he’s got trackers on my car ect over the course of the last 18 months yet my son deams him suitable to leave granddaughter with him while he goes off for between 4 and 7 days at a time. I’m at my wits end and honestly scared for my granddaughters overall wellbeing. It’s getting to the point I feel like social services should be involved but I don’t want to be the one to make that call. I don’t know what else to do. I have said all of this to him but he doesn’t seem to see the issues. I’ve even had a frank conversation with him about the fact he doesn’t seem to with his actions be a father and told him as much as it would break all of us if that’s what it is he needs to do what’s in her best interest. He cried but nothing improves. I just don’t know what to do anymore.

OP posts:
FeliciaFancybottom · 04/11/2025 18:24

You have to ring social services, what other choice but taking her on yourself do you have?
Her safety has to come before all other concerns imo.

OvenChick · 04/11/2025 18:27

Poor girl 😢 she's been abandoned by her mother and now by her father. In your shoes I would absolutely contact social services but would do everything in my power to keep her with me if I could give her a reasonably stable and loving upbringing. However, you have a lot on your plate already and not sure what it's like in your home for a little one. I suppose the only alternative would be for her to go into care.

Wedonttalkaboutboris · 04/11/2025 18:29

You have to contact social services. If anything happens to her you will be partly responsible because you were aware of the situation. How would you live with yourself? You need to make a decision in the best interests of the child. Someone needs to put this child first! Poor little girl.

REDB99 · 04/11/2025 18:29

You must contact social services. Your GD is at risk.

Fluffybydesign · 04/11/2025 18:29

Social Services should definitely be told about this. It may just be what your son needs to get support and realise the impact he is having on his daughter. Social Services can be supportive and not a bad thing.

Starpigeon · 04/11/2025 18:30

Deep down I know this and I’ve really tried to help as much as I can, I can’t take her on unfortunately, my situation means I’ve a lot going on myself so wouldn’t be able to give her the quality of life she deserves but selfishly I don’t want to lose my granddaughter too and that would be the inevitable outcome. His siblings and myself have tried to get through to him but he’s not hearing us.

OP posts:
Wedonttalkaboutboris · 04/11/2025 18:31

Starpigeon · 04/11/2025 18:30

Deep down I know this and I’ve really tried to help as much as I can, I can’t take her on unfortunately, my situation means I’ve a lot going on myself so wouldn’t be able to give her the quality of life she deserves but selfishly I don’t want to lose my granddaughter too and that would be the inevitable outcome. His siblings and myself have tried to get through to him but he’s not hearing us.

It doesn’t mean you would lose access to her. You would still have contact.

Canonlythinkofthisone · 04/11/2025 18:32

That poor girl. Actually breaks my heart.
If you're not in a position to take her in yourself (and I'm not saying you should if you can't), then social services is the only route.
Disgraceful that he thinks getting his dick wet is more important than his own DD. What a "man". 😑

Crazyclover · 04/11/2025 18:32

I am a children's social worker and you absolutely have to ring your local services - they will put support in for him - they will not turn up and take her away (unless there is a definite need to such as abuse). He sounds like he has lost interest in her and wants to live the life he had before she came along.
Please call your local council, its not 'grassing' or telling tales, its finding him support and helping your grand daughter.

MatildaTheCat · 04/11/2025 18:33

At very best he need more support and assistance with parenting his child. Please contact SS with your concerns. Have they not had any input so far given the history?

How is your GD doing? Does she attend nursery? Is she well nourished and have essential needs met? SS are the people to assess this. If you genuinely can’t face reporting him directly then contact the HV and they will go down that route. However be aware, the thresholds are pretty low. If he will accept support that could make such a difference.

YodasHairyButt · 04/11/2025 18:33

Make the call, there is no other choice.

Katflapkit · 04/11/2025 18:34

Ring them, you know what is happening to her is not right.

AmberSpy · 04/11/2025 18:34

For God's sake, of course you need to call social services immediately, before her father or grandfather cause her really serious harm.

CeciliaMars · 04/11/2025 18:50

Would you be willing to look after her full time? If not, social services is the only way to go. Poor kid - what a mess.

Inapickle3012 · 04/11/2025 18:56

My heart hurts for that little girl

CantBreathe90 · 04/11/2025 18:57

Your son is an absolute waste-man, sorry OP. Not much you can really do about that. You MUST call social services, to protect your poor, vulnerable granddaughter. Either adopt her yourself, or encourage your son to put her up for adoption by someone else, who can give her the safety and stability she needs. I think at 3, she still has a good chance of being homed with someone. It's no life being neglected and damaged the way she is.

Peridoteage · 04/11/2025 19:00

Social services.

Threads like this make my heart bleed, multi generational dysfunction producing more and more poor children who aren't well cared for to go on and become functioning adults.

Dartmoorcheffy · 04/11/2025 19:02

That poor child. This situation needs to be sorted out immediately. Hes a shit father and will never be any different. The best course of action would be for this child to be adopted into a loving family befoe she grows up with irreparable mental health issues.

The1990club · 04/11/2025 19:02

This post has made me so sad for that sweet little child. I hope you do the right thing OP.

AQuickWord · 04/11/2025 19:06

Your son is a victim of his childhood, and this poor girl will become a victim of hers. Please get some external support for this child asap.

NerrSnerr · 04/11/2025 19:09

Please make the call. Your granddaughter deserves so much better than this the poor thing.

Peclet · 04/11/2025 19:09

Is your GD in nursery?

He would have the maximum funded hours available to him.

Social care need to be involved. You know it.

what man leaves his child for 5 days. And what woman wants to date him!!!

im sorry. But this is very serious. Do what needs to be done. Please.

Jollyjoy · 04/11/2025 19:09

You’re in an awful position but like you say, deep down you know what you need to do. Have you spoken to your son that you are thinking about this? How do you think he will react?

crappycrapcrap · 04/11/2025 19:10

You need to make that call before something awful happens, she is not your son’s priority and is being emotionally and physically neglected. Don’t be complicit in this.

Danioyellow · 04/11/2025 19:11

Crazyclover · 04/11/2025 18:32

I am a children's social worker and you absolutely have to ring your local services - they will put support in for him - they will not turn up and take her away (unless there is a definite need to such as abuse). He sounds like he has lost interest in her and wants to live the life he had before she came along.
Please call your local council, its not 'grassing' or telling tales, its finding him support and helping your grand daughter.

Exactly what I was going to say, he needs help, even if it’s pressure along with support to make him do things. I can’t even imagine how awful her living conditions are if his own mum is banned from witnessing the mess in his house. That little girl needs saving. At the very least he’ll be forced to provide the basics for her, which it sounds like she’s not currently getting