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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is it me or is this horrific behaviour?

16 replies

Ubafop · 02/01/2026 10:14

I almost feel embarrassed writing this. Ex DP left me in pregnancy and got round to seeing our daughter around a year later. By the time she was two we had tried to have a relationship, he still wouldn’t commit properly. He kept saying he wanted another dc, then delaying. Saying he wanted to move in, then delaying. I got my shit together a few months ago and drew a line. He sees her once a week and takes her out, never overnight. Over Christmas he stayed nearby in a hotel and I also wanted to spend time with DD as I work full time too. We had a couple of days out and he has muttered under his breath (he did this loads in the relationship), when I’ve said I would prefer to go to a different place he’s complained about the expense (he’s on a lot of money and dropped thousands on his hotel stay, he can afford his ticket and I didn’t expect him to pay for mine), he says it’s all about me, it’s my way or no way, I’m full of myself… etc etc. I don’t give DD fast food but he saw an empty mc Donald’s wrapper in my car the other day and told me I shouldn’t eat that stuff… I rarely eat it and have a healthy diet with exercise. In contrast he’s overweight and drinks heavily, I would never comment on his appearance.

He’s even started saying I am trying to alienate him from DD, no basis for this at all, and this is despite me totally supporting his relationship with her even when he didn’t see her for months after she was born.

I’m not perfect, I know that. I call him out on not seeing DD as much as he could, I often tell him he has less money (when he raises it) because he opted out of being a family unit. If I ever make these comments he tells me I’m always thinking about money or makes some sweeping statement like I’m ‘starting again.’

Obviously I am well aware that days out even over holidays are not going to work and this holiday will be the last that we do it. I struggle so much with him as he twists everything I do or say.

OP posts:
Cherrysoup · 02/01/2026 10:18

In your position, I would draw a line, stop encouraging a relationship between him and your dd, let him make the running. Do you really want him back? Think about what he did and consider if you want an unreliable arse in your life.

upperlowerallover · 02/01/2026 10:18

He’s a complete arse. You also need to work on your self esteem if you honestly considered a relationship with someone who left you when pregnant and popped up again a year later.

You cannot role model such a low bar for your DD.

Garroty · 02/01/2026 10:19

He sounds like an arsehole. No more days out with him - you don't have to put yourself through that.

PPAP · 02/01/2026 10:21

Why are you hanging about with him? You are seperated and he is disrespectful to you.

You may think it will be better for DD to see her parents together but kids are incredibly intuitive and she will know (and learn) that is how he treats you.

It's upto you to install boundaries. From now on he picks DD up and spends his time with her alone.

MylipstickiscalledHugMe · 02/01/2026 10:26

Be aware a lot of his criticisms of you, are the truth about HIM. This is a dangerous personality trait that distorts reality. I'm concerned for you spending any time with him, and what he might be like with your daughter.

I'd protect myself and DD from him as much as possible if I were you.

Tinsles · 02/01/2026 10:29

Why are you having any contact with this arsehol beyond the absolute bare minimum.

MyLimeGuide · 02/01/2026 10:32

Honestly your kid will grow up not respecting you if you stay with this man.

jeaux90 · 02/01/2026 11:03

OP it’s better he picks her up and you do not confuse the situation by doing stuff together. I would get a CAO in place though establishing yourself as the RP, this also ensures he can’t control things like permission for your to take her for holidays etc out the country.

HK04 · 02/01/2026 11:09

Don’t blur the lines. You’re separated and for very good reasons. Comments like he’d have more £s if a family unit etc are irrelevant. If you are over for good draw a line instead.

Arrange visitation and then enjoy some relaxing me time when he has her. Just say to him we seem to rub each other up the wrong way when we do ‘family’ things so going forward think it will be best for everyone if we both enjoy time with DD separately.

OriginalUsername2 · 02/01/2026 11:14

Classic arsehole. Stop the forced family time, let him see your dd if he offers to, but otherwise forget about him. Create a nice life for you and dd without his muttering and moaning.

Cyclebabble · 02/01/2026 11:28

There is a gap between the man you thought you had a relationship with and the man he actually is. It is time to see this now as a professional co-parenting relationship rather than an ongoing relationship between the two of you. I would be facilitating his (poor) one day a week visitation. I would also tell him that how you parent (which you are doing alone), is up to you and you do not require his comments. I would not do joint things together with him unless they were unavoidable (school plays, meetings etc), but even then I would put distance between you.

Cleikumstovies · 02/01/2026 12:29

Is he paying decent child support?

TFImBackIn · 02/01/2026 12:32

Come on, OP, this man is a complete and utter prick. Don't even try to have any kind of relationship with him.

Ohcrap082024 · 02/01/2026 13:03

Drop the rope.

Message him and tell him that moving forward, contact with your DD will not involve you. Make this a gradual change if needed. But the goal is that your DD has set times/days for contact with her father on her own.

If he doesn’t want to do the is then that’s on him. If he’s not happy with your proposal, he can arrange mediation.

And apply for CMS if you haven’t already. She’s 2, it’s time to formalise the situation.

BadgernTheGarden · 02/01/2026 13:08

Hardly horrific behaviour, but unpleasant. You don't need to be so involved with him you just co-parent and that's it. You don't need to spend any time together except at hand over. Make sure he is paying proper child support if you are the main carer.

matchboxmum · 02/01/2026 13:09

Sounds like he has complete and utter contempt for you. Focus on you and your daughter.

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