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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Well am I? My ex is an absolute arse.

225 replies

Mostlywilliow · Yesterday 15:03

My ex is still outraged that I divorced him and then later met someone else AND kept the house AND am much happier. He is a study of coercive control and finally left when the police removed him.
The kids are 17, 16, 15 and he refuses to communicate with me at all about when he is seeing them. Doesn’t attend anything school or education related ever ever and pays just under the bare minimum CSA amount despite being on £150k conservatively. You get the picture. He’s moved an hour away by car.

I booked a holiday well over a year ago, before the term dates came out and got an amazing price because of the Early Bird element and a clause that said absolutely no changes, refunds, postponements, nothing.

Turns out the kids are in school that week so rather than lose the fortune it cost to book this for me and my partner, I have booked a DBS nanny/babysitter who has minded them before, to move in for the week.

This is apparently disgusting, awful, I’m a terrible selfish parent, etc all relaid via DC3 direct from his dad. He’s also started making what I consider to be vexatious complaints to social care, about whether I’m feeding them junk or home cooked food, why they get the bus to school (2 miles) instead of me driving them, why I redecorated one of the kids’ rooms as a surprise (which to be fair he hated), and now this. Apparently the kids are too young to be left with a “stranger” and are very upset and I should cancel. He won’t EVER tell me when he’s having the kids so I can’t plan things usually. I know he’s being utterly unreasonable by interfering in this way but he’s managed to upset the kids who are now complaining non stop about how they don’t want to be looked after by anyone. And yet if I left them home alone, which I wouldn’t do, that would be wrong too. Fed up.

OP posts:
Lmnop22 · Yesterday 15:08

Tell his it’s none of his business and if he doesn’t want them to be looked after by this babysitter, he can have them that week!

TheSandgroper · Yesterday 15:14

Well, you cannot control anything he says.

Sit down with your dh and make yourselves a bingo card of anything and everything you think he might say. Keep it inside your wardrobe door or somewhere otherwise it’s not fair on your children. As exh comes up with something, cross it off your card.

You and dh each pick a date by when you think you will have everything crossed off. Whoever gets closest to the date gets to choose a nice dinner. Or something.

Mostlywilliow · Yesterday 15:14

I’ve said this. But it’s too far to get them into school unless I pay a taxi which is £80 each way x 5 plus trains for oldest.

OP posts:
Summerhillsquare · Yesterday 15:14

Social services will practically laugh in his face.

Time for a come to Jesus conversation with the kids? They're old enough.

To be fair many 16 and 17 year olds are left at home alone by holidaying parents. If he doesn't like it he's got two choices really hasn't he.

Vinividivici · Yesterday 15:16

It's difficult, but just try to step back. The only things that need to concern you are actual legal risks. If you have a DBS approved babysitter lined up, the social services officer is likely also to find the complaint vexatious.

Tillow4ever · Yesterday 15:19

Were you planning to take the kids with you thinking it was school holidays originally? If not, I don’t understand why the plan for caring for them will have changed due to term time.

At their ages I would expect all contact to be between the kids and their dad to be honest.

I would have messaged and asked him if the kids could stay with him that week and if he hasn’t replied or said no, then booked a sitter - he can hardly complain if you asked him to have them!

He sounds like a dick. You need to grey rock and ignore him. If he sees that he gets a response from you, it will get him what he’s after - your attention.

Zebracat · Yesterday 15:19

Don’t rise. He’s a twat. I would have left them alone at that age. I’d just tell him, and them, once that I am taking this holiday, and then I would refuse to engage.

Mum2Fergus · Yesterday 15:19

He’s a twat, don’t engage (I’d take the kids out of school regardless, but that’s just me).

Neemon · Yesterday 15:26

Why on earth would you go without them? 😳

harriethoyle · Yesterday 15:29

I would be tempted, at 15, 16 and 17, to explain to the kids that you parent how you think best, their dad does the same and you don't want to hear his views on your choices...

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · Yesterday 15:30

Neemon · Yesterday 15:26

Why on earth would you go without them? 😳

Because parents are allowed time away from their kids…

Thundertoast · Yesterday 15:38

Neemon · Yesterday 15:26

Why on earth would you go without them? 😳

Because no child on earth has been traumatised from their parent having a holiday away from them in an otherwise loving household.
Its your job as a parent to teach them resilience and independence.
If they are upset a parent is having a holiday without them then its a great opportunity for them to learn the world doesnt revolve around them. They wont die. The relationship wont be destroyed forever.
Because taking your kids everywhere with you would actually be bad parenting because they dont learn to be away from you??
Honestly, what a question.

Neemon · Yesterday 15:38

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · Yesterday 15:30

Because parents are allowed time away from their kids…

Wow I had no idea 🙄 They’re old enough to be fully aware they were meant to be going away. How cruel to just go oh well, we’ll just leave you at home and go without you!

Neemon · Yesterday 15:39

This reply has been deleted

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PippaToryFripp · Yesterday 15:40

Absolutely no changes? So how are you going to pretend you have three teens with you, when just two of you rock up?

harriethoyle · Yesterday 15:40

This reply has been deleted

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Well, that escalated quickly... Name calling is never a good look, @Neemon

TedDog · Yesterday 15:41

Wait a minute, you’re leaving your kids in the house with a stranger (yes, a DBS checked childminder but still a bloody stranger!) for an entire week?!?!? Your poor kids. They’re not pets

Thundertoast · Yesterday 15:42

Neemon · Yesterday 15:38

Wow I had no idea 🙄 They’re old enough to be fully aware they were meant to be going away. How cruel to just go oh well, we’ll just leave you at home and go without you!

They arent 5!!
If a teenager thinks OP should lose money rather than find a compromise then this is a great opportunity for that teenager to learn that sometimes these things happen and its good to make the best out of a situation... thats good parenting surely. If its an otherwise loving household a bit of disappointment will not traumatise them forever will it!

TedDog · Yesterday 15:42

Neemon · Yesterday 15:38

Wow I had no idea 🙄 They’re old enough to be fully aware they were meant to be going away. How cruel to just go oh well, we’ll just leave you at home and go without you!

Exactly! Like they’re goldfish…

WallaceinAnderland · Yesterday 15:44

How did he even know about it if he has no contact with you at all?

TedDog · Yesterday 15:45

WallaceinAnderland · Yesterday 15:44

How did he even know about it if he has no contact with you at all?

It says in the bloody OP! “All relayed by DC3”

WallaceinAnderland · Yesterday 15:46

So the whole argument is via the children?

Lulu89x · Yesterday 15:47

Mostlywilliow · Yesterday 15:03

My ex is still outraged that I divorced him and then later met someone else AND kept the house AND am much happier. He is a study of coercive control and finally left when the police removed him.
The kids are 17, 16, 15 and he refuses to communicate with me at all about when he is seeing them. Doesn’t attend anything school or education related ever ever and pays just under the bare minimum CSA amount despite being on £150k conservatively. You get the picture. He’s moved an hour away by car.

I booked a holiday well over a year ago, before the term dates came out and got an amazing price because of the Early Bird element and a clause that said absolutely no changes, refunds, postponements, nothing.

Turns out the kids are in school that week so rather than lose the fortune it cost to book this for me and my partner, I have booked a DBS nanny/babysitter who has minded them before, to move in for the week.

This is apparently disgusting, awful, I’m a terrible selfish parent, etc all relaid via DC3 direct from his dad. He’s also started making what I consider to be vexatious complaints to social care, about whether I’m feeding them junk or home cooked food, why they get the bus to school (2 miles) instead of me driving them, why I redecorated one of the kids’ rooms as a surprise (which to be fair he hated), and now this. Apparently the kids are too young to be left with a “stranger” and are very upset and I should cancel. He won’t EVER tell me when he’s having the kids so I can’t plan things usually. I know he’s being utterly unreasonable by interfering in this way but he’s managed to upset the kids who are now complaining non stop about how they don’t want to be looked after by anyone. And yet if I left them home alone, which I wouldn’t do, that would be wrong too. Fed up.

Were you planning on taking the children with you? If not then what difference would it make if they were in school or not?

Tell your ex to fuck off. The "kids" are grown teenagers, they will survive.

RocketPanda · Yesterday 15:49

Theres one bad parent in this scenario and its not the OP.

willitevergetwarm · Yesterday 15:49

Neemon · Yesterday 15:26

Why on earth would you go without them? 😳

Why not?

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