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COVID contact - how happy are you?

9 replies

namechangenumber2 · 22/04/2020 12:49

Hi

I'm fed up of arguing with my ex over this, and wondered if I could talk to other parents about it?

DS is 16. He usually sees his Dad once every 4 weeks. Prior to the lockdown he hadn't seen him for 7 weeks ( Ex's choice - busy etc). I say that just to show what sort of Dad he is generally. He's generally a fairly " rules don't apply to me" kind of person which means I struggle trusting him.

DS and I both have asthma - not shielding but being extra careful ( shopping deliveries if possible etc )

Ex lives 1.5hrs away. He also has two other children who live with his ex wife ( who he sees the same weekend).

So he saw him 4 weeks ago. I wasn't comfortable about it at all, and told Ex this, but he turned up anyway. DS came back 2 days later and was fine.

Two weeks later he wanted DS again to make up for the 7 weeks he didn't see him. Again I wasn't comfortable but acknowledge ( to him) that I can't stop him just turning up. He decided not to come.

So again he starts the conversation yesterday with regard to this weekend. " what's your thoughts?". Again I'm not comfortable - nothing has really changed regarding the virus, but nothing I can really say " oh well, I'm coming anyway"

I accepted that, but asked if there was anyway to split the children's weekends up. Not ideal I know, but I felt it might reduce the risk ( the other children's mum is a key worker - education). He initially said no, then said he'd look into it which I said I really appreciated. He then came back to me saying that it could be a possibility for this weekend.

Today I've asked if he's made plans yet - in other words is he having DS as normal, or has he found a way to see them separately.

His response was - I'm fed up of arguing. You're saying unless I split them I can't see DS (I'm not saying that!), so until you say you are happy for me to see him then I won't. So I'll wait till then.

I'm pissed off at this. The whole time I've made it clear I'm not happy but I don't feel I can say no. Of course I'm not happy! Is anyone happy at the moment?! I do however realise I have to suck it up. I'd just like, if possible, it to be done with minimal risk.

I feel angry that he's expecting me to say I'm happy about all this. Of course I'm not, I have no idea how DS and I will fair if we get the virus.

I know DS is 16, normally I'd leave him to it, however he's taking little interest in what's going on in the world currently so I feel I have to intervene - esp as health is involved.

Am I expecting too much?

OP posts:
namechangenumber2 · 22/04/2020 15:28

Bump

OP posts:
RandomMess · 22/04/2020 15:31

Your ex is an ex for reason, being selfish and a lazy parent must be two of the reasons...

He is playing at being victim isn't he?

namechangenumber2 · 22/04/2020 17:47

Yeah he's generally pretty good at doing that. He's had more than his fair share of issues in the past, never his issue though.

So I've now spoken to him. Apparently he's told his Mum who told him to back off and leave DS until I'm happy - cultural thing he says?! . I don't know what to think about that?! I don't want him to not see DS, DS would of course like to see him, but I begrudge pretending that I'm happy to keep the peace. I just wanted us to work together to find a solution if possible.

I don't know why I'm surprised we've always struggled to work together as parents Sad. I actually thought my days of dealing with him were over

OP posts:
RandomMess · 22/04/2020 17:52

It would be more sensible and safer for your DS to go for a week when his other DC aren't there and he can you know have the nights they've missed Wink

namechangenumber2 · 22/04/2020 18:08

I know, but he can't afford the cost of feeding him. He can barely feed himself. I've already tried that one!

OP posts:
namechangenumber2 · 22/04/2020 18:17

I know, but he can't afford the cost of feeding him. He can barely feed himself. I've already tried that one!

OP posts:
namechangenumber2 · 22/04/2020 18:17

Oh annoyingly it posted twice!

OP posts:
RandomMess · 22/04/2020 18:20

In other words he isn't bothered but wants to blame you...

namechangenumber2 · 22/04/2020 18:26

Oh and also he's got back with his ex wife ( younger children's mum) and she's been visiting him with them! I can't decide if he should be doing that or not

OP posts:
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