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Divorce/separation

Here you'll find divorce help and support from other Mners. For legal advice, you may find Advice Now guides useful.

Exh thinks I should coordinate play dates

84 replies

helplesshopeless · 08/01/2024 07:26

Hi all, I'm going round in circles with my abusive exh so need some clarity on a point.

As a very brief background, he's always been very unpleasant to me on and off according to whatever mood he was in. Verbally and emotionally abusive especially when my Dd arrived and he struggled with her bad sleep etc. I made the horrible choice of having an exit affair which I regret daily - I posted about it all at the time under this username. So there's lots of animosity in our split and he's clearly very angry with me still which is understandable. Just giving that perspective so I'm being balanced.

Anyway, we now Co-parent 50/50, obviously I hate that but my 6yo DD is amazing and thriving. She is safe at his, he's horrible to me but loves DD and is a very involved and caring dad. We live very close together and her best friend happens to live on the corner of exh's road. I am close friends with the mum of that little girl. I haven't particularly given much detail on what happened in the marriage or that I had an affair, but I did make a few very brief comments when we split up about him being very aggressive and threatening towards me, so she probably recalls that.

Anyway, DD has on several occasions asked exh if her friend could come round to his to play - each time he's emailed me to ask me to arrange, I've then messaged her mum to ask if it's ok and have given his number to her to get back to him directly. Each time (latest one was last night) she's said they're busy and asked me to let him know. That's completely fine by me and up to her if she doesn't want her daughter going to his house.

Anyway last night this turned into a huge rant from him (the usual abuse thrown in over me being a freeloading dosser whore) over how it is my fault that DD doesn't have friends over to play at his, it's more difficult for him as a male to arrange with other mums, and I should be facilitating, and the fact that I'm not shows that I'm trying to get in the way of it happening so that DD enjoys being at my house more (as we have friends over to play).

Exh has just as much opportunity as me to strike up convo at the school dates, or message other mums who's numbers he does have to arrange friends to come round. I've pointed this out to him and said it's not my job to coordinate at his house and he's so angry with me and making out like I'm being completely unreasonable. He said that I've clearly turned my 'grim little mums group' against him by spouting 'nonsense' about him being aggressive and abusive (I haven't, but he is), that it's more difficult for him to arrange as it's usually mums that sort those things, and that I'm not acting in DD's best interests by telling him that he needs to sort this out himself.

I honestly don't know what he expects me to do, I always pass on messages when he asks me to and half the time he treats me like his bloody PA which I do sort for DD's sake, but I don't know how he expects me to suddenly be facilitating play dates at his out of the blue.

He ended his last email with 'this is a which is a huge shame for DD when she lives so close and would love to play. But dont worry about it you just focus on you same as you always have and always do I will figure something out myself.'

I guess I'm just looking for some perspective here - fair enough it might be a bit awkward for him approaching other mums to arrange for play dates but I don't see what my role should be!!

As usual I'm now worried about dd and feeling sad that she's always knocked back at his when she asks if her friend can go round Sad

As a side note the friend in question is already booked in to come and play at mine after school tomorrow Smile

OP posts:
TealSapphire · 08/01/2024 07:31

Haha no.

He can sort everything on his time. I'd be cutting communication to the bare minimum too.

TeenDivided · 08/01/2024 07:33

I'd chat with the other mum and see if she has concerns or is turning down out of loyalty to you. Then step back.

NotDoingOk · 08/01/2024 07:36

I think lots of mums would feel less comfortable sending kids to play at a single dad's house unless they knew him very well. It's probably not fair but it's true.

LoudSnoringDog · 08/01/2024 07:38

She probably doesn’t want her DD in his presence because of him being an angry arsehole

ask her

LaurieFairyCake · 08/01/2024 07:40

"You're quite right, it should be you facilitating any play dates at your house. I will leave this all now to you".

Do not do ANY PA stuff and only respond to what you need to.

JohnLapsleyParlabane · 08/01/2024 07:41

For me, the fact that you are being used as a go-between to schedule playdates at his home on his contact time would put me off. That's because if he can't be arsed to put himself out there and make effort for the sake of his own child I'm not convinced he would make any effort for mine. And at 6 my children would still need adult guidance at a playdate e.g. toilet reminders and checking in that the play is going well.

helplesshopeless · 08/01/2024 07:43

I'll be speaking with the mum today - thought it would be better in person so I can make it clear I don't blame her for whatever decision she's making. Don't want her to feel stuck in the middle!

I think that friend is a lost cause but I don't see why he can't arrange for other friends to go round...

OP posts:
2Old2Tango · 08/01/2024 07:46

NotDoingOk · 08/01/2024 07:36

I think lots of mums would feel less comfortable sending kids to play at a single dad's house unless they knew him very well. It's probably not fair but it's true.

👆 This

CuriousGeorge80 · 08/01/2024 07:50

Honestly I wouldn’t even engage with him on these sorts of things. There’s plenty of reasons people may say no, not your problem - and honestly your daughter will get plenty during your time. Not your job to sort his time with his daughter. Set your very clear boundaries to look after yourself.

Nicole1111 · 08/01/2024 07:55

When he asks for you to arrange a play date you can reply with the facts, “she has said she is busy”. If he queries again or pushes it, second response is “as I said ……”, sticking to the facts. Third response on the situation is a straight ignore. You can use this on any subject that needs no further discussion. Don’t reward his behaviour with attention, time or energy.

gregtile · 08/01/2024 07:58

I wouldn't get involved in organising play dates.

I would be making clear to the mum's that he isn't a threat to their children and can be trusted to look after them - if that is the case?

I wouldn't send my child to the house of someone I knew to be abusive and if you've told them that then of course they won't agree to play dates. By saying he is abusive you've made it difficult for him to organise play dates. Now of course if he can't be trusted and is likely to be abusive in front of children then he shouldn't be hosting play dates anyway.

NewYearNewCalendar · 08/01/2024 07:59

Step back, his contact time is his contact time and it is up to him to arrange. Don’t let him control you.

I would not be wary of my child going to a single dad’s house. I would be wary of them going to any house of a parent who I didn’t know. There is no way I would arrange a play date at your ex’s if it was you facilitating (or vice versa!) - if he cannot even contact me to make the arrangement then I am not happy that he would be able to supervise my child suitably.

StillWantingADog · 08/01/2024 08:00

Urgh he sounds like a complete arse.
my DCs have friends with split up parents and I have successfully organised playdates via the dads in the past - whereas it’s true that most play date organisation is via mums, mums are perfectly able to engage with dads on the matter too!

however if he does have a “reputation” of course that would put other mums off the idea. I would have a word with the mum in question and say “he’s an arse to me but just so you know I wouldn’t have any concern whatsoever for your dc during a play date-he’s an excellent dad” or similar. But not push it, it’s her decision.

Reugny · 08/01/2024 08:01

If your DD's friend has a dad (or other male carer) then there is nothing stopping him sorting out a playdate with that dad/male carer.

That's what my brothers and now my DP does.

Some women don't feel comfortable sorting out playdates with other fathers/male carers and vice versa.

You need to start ignoring his rants.

Hopefully he will keep putting them in writing.

BoxOfCats · 08/01/2024 08:01

It's nothing to do with playdates, and everything to do with him still wanting you to dance to his tune. The play dates are just a means of him doing that - if it wasn't a play date it would be something else.

Don't give it any headspace, just tell him he's right that he should crack on and sort it out himself. Your best strategy is not to show him that it bothers you, because that is ultimately the reaction he is looking for.

AlisonDonot · 08/01/2024 08:05

'Yes, figure it out like everyone else has to. Well done, you got there eventually'.

3sausagedogs · 08/01/2024 08:05

Don’t even mention it to the mum. She clearly has her own reasons! I wouldn’t want my daughters at a single Dads house unless I knew him really well - that’s just the world we live in! Also I’ve had this and then the Dad has come on to me!! I wouldn’t even ask her as you’re putting pressure on her. If she wants to talk to you and tell you she would and she’s got no problem with you as the daughter is coming to yours. ignore the ex. Stop replying to ranting emails and texts and record how he speaks to you at hand overs. Swearing and abusing you is a police matter and i’d report it! Don’t put up with that crap.

welcometothnuthouse · 08/01/2024 08:07

Another who would have turned the playdate down when mine were young. A male with and being a known arsehole with an attitude problem? I wouldn't have done it even if he had a wife /partner who was called Mother Teresa living with him.
Mim contact is the way to go, esp. on the grounds of his abuse towards you.

romdowa · 08/01/2024 08:08

Honestly I think you need to stop engaging with him so much. If he makes unreasonable requests then just ignore it or just respond with a simple no sorry that doesn't suit. Any email that is aggressive from him doesn't get an answer. You need to grey rock him. Giving him excuses and engaging with him is giving him a reaction which is what he wants.

DollyBantry · 08/01/2024 08:09

I remember your previous threads about this horrible man.

I know you carry huge guilt about the end of your marriage but you need to let this go and stand up for yourself more. He is a revolting bully, he is cruel and vindictive and lashes out at you every opportunity he gets.

His only redeeming quality is that you say he is a good father to your daughter but even so, he can’t resist bitching at you in front of her. So therefore, not actually a great Dad.

Maintain as much distance from him as you possible can in the circumstances. He is an abusive arsehole who will carry on treating you like this for as long as you allow him.

DollyBantry · 08/01/2024 08:14

I should add - you have always come across as a lovely, reasonable, considerate person who does not deserve to be treated in this way. Go grey rock and look after yourself x

Theunamedcat · 08/01/2024 08:19

Single out his last sentence about sorting it out for himself agree this will be the best solution ignore the rest

I had many a ranting message from my ex husband usually went along the lines of I was a whore im a bitch shouldn't be working hate my own children he will take me to court he is going to be late collecting the children I would say "ok I will let the kids know your going to be late" that was the only part I addressed if he asked about the school I would send him a link to the website I once offered information about the kids school report only for him to say he knew as he was on the mailing list only to contradict himself a week later screaming he hadn't had their school report

It's draining parenting with a high conflict person

helplesshopeless · 08/01/2024 08:21

Thanks everyone and thank you so much @DollyBantry for your kind words - your post made me cry!

I think these kind of situations highlight the difficult circumstances that I've created for my daughter through my actions, which is why I struggle with them so much.

I don't know what the answer is re the best friend's mum, I've tried to reassure her in the past about him being perfectly safe and capable of looking after her daughter. I would rather just ask her to confirm my suspicions that she doesn't want her daughter to go there/doesn't want him to have her number, so I know to stop asking her and putting her in the same situation.

Agree with you all that I need to step back and grey rock, he's amazingly good at saying outrageously irrational things that suck me into debate!

OP posts:
AbbeFausseMaigre · 08/01/2024 08:24

"But dont worry about it you just focus on you same as you always have and always do I will figure something out myself."

"OK"

SquishyGloopyBum · 08/01/2024 08:28

Don't ask the mum. It will just put her on the spot.

He needs to figure this out himself.

And this isn't your fault, even with how it ended. He'd be like this even if you hadn't had an affair. He's an arse.