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Legal matters

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Children’s father can’t commit to a routine

5 replies

endangeredmum · 14/06/2025 17:44

Hi all,

My finance got another woman pregnant last year, whilst still sleeping with me. We have two little ones together who live with me. I was at home looking after them when he got her pregnant.

Prior to this, I had been the sole carer for nearly 7 years as their Dad was never in the country. I did (and still do) everything. Including school runs, school holiday planning, food, dentist, haircuts, uniforms, new clothing, new shoes, doctors appointments, clubs, swimming, family visits, car seats, trips away, play dates, school admin…. EVERYTHING. All of this whilst running a business. Their Dad never took them out for ONE day - not in nearly seven years.

Since I discovered his new baby - I have decided to have limited contact with him. He was mentally and physically abusive when we were together and even came home high on drugs to our first child when he was an infant. So this last piece of disrespect was the straw that broke the camels back.

This man is still leaving the country every month for work - but has now put a child arrangements order in to the courts (we had one mediation session and he refused to sign the separation agreement). The only outcome was that he forced me to put the family home on the market (the home is next to the boys school and he has a piddly amount invested)

Has anyone else been through this process and can give me some advice on what to expect? In his court order, he slags me off on every page, whilst saying nothing about what he actually wants. He has no plan - has just been out of the country for 8 weeks, has a newborn baby girl, no fixed abode, has done his leg in so he can’t drive (we live in the rural countryside) and cannot commit to anything. Meanwhile, I run a successful business, have bought up two INCREDIBLE boys completely alone (I also had the family dog on my own for five years with them), have a new partner who absolutely adores me and the boys and look after my elderly parents. Someone please tell me how he can have a CMO without any commitment in any area of his life?

I’m also very tired of the abuse that keeps coming. He’s only 37 but he’s an old school misogynist. He has told CAFCASS that I’m ’mentally unstable’ and therefore the boys are in danger. Meanwhile, I’m running my business and loving my boys and enjoying a relationship and friendships - whilst he flits of to South Africa, Palma, Cannes, The Alps…. For 8 months of the year!

OP posts:
endangeredmum · 14/06/2025 18:00

Just to add…

As much as he has abused and disrespected me, I respect he is their Father and sorted out a family album to upload pictures and videos too whilst he is away so that we don’t have to be in contact but he can see what the boys are up to…

He hasn’t logged in for over a month.

OP posts:
Needanadultgapyear · 15/06/2025 11:01

As a mum and someone who went through a messy divorce I would counter this with a sensible child centric suggested contact schedule. Show that you know that the children’s relationship with their dad is important, but also consistency, structure and certainty is as important. Be calm and rational.

Cocomelonhauntsme · 15/06/2025 12:09

You say fiance so youre not married yet, this isnt a divorce but child arrangements and asset splitting correct?
How has he forced you to put the home on the market? Is it actually court ordered as in has been approved and signed by a judge or hes just requested it through the courts? Are you joint tennants orbin common? Has he been paying for the house for the last 7 years?
Are you in the uk? Do you claim CMS? Has any of his abuse been documented by the school or a gp?
In terms of arrangements for the boys what has he asked for and where is it in the court proceedings?

Sorry for all the questions and totally understand if you would prefer not to answer. If you have a solicitor they will obviously be best placed to advise as all of the above makes a big difference.

Anyone can have lawyers send pretty much anything in a letter and applying for something in court doesnt mean they will get it. General advice is to grey rock him. He hasn't had interest before so work out what you would offer ie a consistent timetable of supervised contact, and then refuse to engage further outside of court. Dont be drawn in. The way youve described him, he has no interest in being a father and will get bored once he realises he doesnt control you.

pikkumyy77 · 15/06/2025 12:15

This makes little sense. You aren’t married so how is he forcing the sale? What ties you together, aside from the children?

Shinyandnew1 · 15/06/2025 12:39

The only outcome was that he forced me to put the family home on the market (the home is next to the boys school*

The location of the boys' school isn't relevant. What is the situation with the house-is it in joint names? I think if you are splitting up,selling it is the sensible decision and you can live completely separately.

Get your solicitor to deal with everything related to the children,

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