Does anyone ever feel it's just all a bit unfair??!!

[makemineamalibuandpineapple]

How the partner that leaves just often leaves without a backwards glance assuming that the partner that stays will pick up the pieces and be the responsible one? I mean, what if the partner left behind just thought, "oh bugger this, I'm off too". Then where would the poor children be?

It's just the irresponsibility of it and the assumption that someone else will do it. To be honest, this even applies to men/women who pay maintenance because in my opinion they have the easy job. They just pay the money and don't have to deal with the day to day slog.

In many cases, mine included, there isn't even any maintenance to be had. I am just expected to support our child single handedly. My ex-husband however, now plays daddy to 3 kids who are not his own (he also has another bio daughter who he has left in similar circumstances to us).

Anyway, RANT OVER If anyone else fancies a rant then feel free!!

At the end of the day when a couple splits up they both have to understand that they cannot control what the other one does or says and the best thing to do is not to care.

My ex has done quite a few of unforgiveable things (and she follows it up with more ones from time to time) but I treat her the same way I would if it started raining: I put my raincoat on and carry on regardless.

She quite clearly hates me, won't move on and is out to punish. I can't begin to understand how much it clearly blights her life and to be honest the best thing for her (and everyone else) is to move on and be happy. And I hope she is, but I fear she isn't.

I'm not spending a large chunk of my life being miserable because I made the mistake of having a kid with the wrong person.

I do feel that like sometimes but not very often anymore (DS is now 2 and a half and I went through pregnancy alone etc so it's been ages now).

I try very hard not to let myself go down that path though as it just makes you feel worse.

You picked up the responsibility because you're a decent human being and your kids are lucky to have that, even if there's only one of you.
The Ex is missing out more than they'll ever know.

Yes, it's damn well hard & unfair sometimes but they'll never know how proud you can feel as the parent who's done the time & put in the effort, love & sacrifice. It really is very much their loss

I'm not spending a large chunk of my life being miserable because I made the mistake of having a kid with the wrong person

Totally agree lostdad

You sound like a brilliant dad & I hope that your kids see that as they get older & things improve for you

Yes, this really annoys me too.

XP and I have a DD whom he doesn't see because he's too busy looking after his g/f's DS while his g/f works. They work at the same place but split their shifts so g/f's DS is looked after without needing to pay for childcare. He works full time, yet pays nothing towards DD.

If I thought I would get away with it, I would name and shame him at his works, but knowing my luck, I'd get in trouble.

XP complains incessantly about my parenting skills, apparently I don't possess any, yet he can't be bothered to spend time with DD.

What really annoyed me this week was when I discovered he had been spotted out with his girlfriend and was buying virtual strangers drinks, yet he can't afford to spare a few coppers for his DD.

I heard that from an extremely reliable source btw.

DD has quite severe behavioural issues and a break once in a while would be much appreciated.
How nice it must be to be able to go to work, and earn a decent wage while your b/f is looking after your child, and then to have the weekend to go out and let your hair down while your son's father takes your son for the weekend.
That's what happens to xp's g/f, yet DD doesn't get a look in.

Not that I blame her, but it just seems so cruel and unfair that another child is getting the attention of 2 father figures and DD gets none.

It makes me hate him and I don't want to waste my time hating, but DD has such severe problems and it has all been left to me, he doesn't even check in.

Considering he doesn't believe DD has issues, because of course it's all down to my crap parenting, this is not the reason he doesn't bother either. DD's issues are becoming more and more apparent the older she becomes, and he hasn't seen her for a while, nor do I discuss her issues with him. He would only use them as another weapon to beat me with.

Totally agree about the abandoned parent having to be the one who steps up to the mark. When my STBXH ran off after 22 years of marriage and several affairs he ended up with a woman who was pregnant when he met her and is now living with her and is a doting dad to her baby (he showed our 11 year old DD the pictures of the caesarian birth last time she visited him - her comment was "there was a lot of blood"). I'm told he does all the things for her child he never did with ours. Obviously he wants to reinvent himself and I don't care about that, but I do think its a darn good thing that I still put our children first and didn't bugger off with the first man who winked at me! I do get mild satisfaction from the fact I don't believe he traded up...

The way I look at it what goes around comes around in the next life (I am a strong believer in reincarnation)so these exes who are at fault and live the life of riley after the break-up will get their come uppance then.

Not sounding bitter or malicious but I do believe in karma which totally helps me!

My Dds father has ignored her for a while now

I've shopped him to the CSA

Now who has the upper hand

My ex-husband, after hiring a private detective to find me (he knew where I lived btw) as it was in the local newspaper is now not exactly keeping to his side of his arangements re. seeing DS. We had mediation last November and he made a big song and dance about wanting him every 2 weeks. He has had him twice since then. I have not prevented him, it's just that it hasn't been convenient.

He had him last weekend but now can't have him for 4 weeks. The next time he was due to have him was on the weekend of his gf's birthday but he has put that above seeing his son. The following weekend is no good as it is their childfree weekend (her 3 kids go to their dads). The next time he sees DS, it will be 4 weeks since he saw him. Allegedly, he will be seeing him twice in May but I'm not holding my breath!!

OP well put!!

Quick rant as I need to get it out.

X told me yesterday that I was lucky to have help from my DM (I am grateful for this) and that he pays me too much . He lives with his parents and pays no rent or bills, earns a decent wage and sees DS 4 times a fortnight (2 overnights). I had told him how worn out I am (DS is 2...) and his reply? "All children are challenging and you have a better time of it than most".

He then said he would swap places with me tomorrow and be the RP. He wouldn't last 2 seconds, he complains how shattered he is after spending 1 day with him.

I hate having to keep things civil and all happy in front of DS when I want to scream at him (X, not DS!).

Thanks for the opportunity to rant, which is great because I was having a bit of a "moment" today.

ExP rarely sees DD, and in holidays I have to beg for an odd day here or there. The rest of school holidays I have to juggle my annual leave with kids clubs.

I do think it's unfair, as I am stuck in a job I hate, and can't go for jobs I would really like and be good at, because I have to organise my life round DD and her start and finish times at school

My only hobby I am having to give up, because my only babysitter is no longer available.

I would love to go to the gym after work, I would love to even work a bit later some nights instead of having to tear up the road to pick DD up from kids club.

I would love to join colleagues for a quick drink after work.

I would love to have some time to myself

ExP does whatever he wants and takes new wife and HER daughter abroad twice a year.

So, I agree it is all a bit unfair