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Parenting

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3 year old won't stay at mummy's house

262 replies

Aoak96 · 03/05/2026 20:06

Hi

I have recently split from my husband and moved out. We have a 3 year old son. He has started to refuse to stay with me (mum) at my new house to the point he is screaming and crying to go back to daddy's house. I now live with my new partner and we have my son 4 night where as his dad has him the rest. I don't know what to do he's started to say mummy makes him sad and he doesn't want mummy he just wants his dad any help appreciated

OP posts:
MCF86 · 04/05/2026 18:27

2chocolateoranges · 03/05/2026 23:04

You’ve recently split with you husband and moved in with your new partner, no wonder your little ones head is all mixed up!

however a 3 year old doesn’t get a chalice with contact, they do as they are asked. You are the adult in this, act like you are.

And a lot of kids from "broken homes" don't have great relationships with at least one parent as a result

catlover123456789 · 05/05/2026 18:15

He doesn't want to stay with a man he doesn't know. Would you?

JJMama · 05/05/2026 18:44

Why didn’t you stay in your house so that your son had a bit of normality? A new man who is not his dad - of course that’s an issue!

You have your son 4 days and his dad has him 3 - do you have his old toys etc at yours?

Is he scared or unsettled with your new boyfriend? Sorry but your focus should be on your child, not a new man!

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SisterMidnight77 · 05/05/2026 18:48

His instincts are good.

Thisismynewname23 · 05/05/2026 20:23

Aoak96 · 03/05/2026 20:13

I wasn't looking for judgment here this is my situation and I'm asking for help he has known my new partner well over a year previous to us being together as we were old friends

If they are uncomfortable staying listen maybe take a step back and have just you and your child at home for a while, whether they knew your partner before or not if they aren’t comfortable listen, I had to live with step parents as a child and hated it, sometimes with good reason

user1476613140 · 05/05/2026 20:26

Put your son first, and still see your partner out of the home. Why does he need to be moved in really fast?

Living apart from your partner would provide more stability for your son.

Crazylady80 · 05/05/2026 22:11

You know it’s hard for a 3 year old to verbally articulate what’s really going on in their head but you can see from his actions he’s frustrated and not happy. I would try to let him guide you if that’s at all possible.

E.g. Is there any way you can move back to your old house for those 4 days he’s normally with you until he settles?

Could you bring him to yours for less days initially until he gets more used to it?

Can your new partner move out those days your child is there so you can see if there is an issue there?

I wouldn’t rush your child into any new arrangement if they’re not ready as this could leave a lasting mark on them.

Goodluck, it can’t be easy but as others have said, try to prioritise your child’s needs right now and your new partner as well as father should all want what’s it’s the child’s interest first too.

Ifallelsefails · 06/05/2026 02:31

I did more or less the same when DD was just under 4. We were in a domestic abuse situation and needed an escape route. DD was protected from it all so she wasn't aware as such that anything was wrong as I distracted her constantly. My life was directly threatened once and that was once too often, on top of the rest which had happened intermittently over the years.

To cut a long story short, a fairytale began - a man on a white horse came to rescue us, took fair maiden and DD to safety and left the nasty abuser crying in a pile just like he fecking deserved.

We all lived happily ever after except the nasty abuser started emotionally abusing DD during contact time - we listened to every word when she came home, she spilled everything in total innocence that her dad had said to her and how he'd treated her.

So in my experience it's not necessarily anything you & your partner are doing, it might be what is being said and done when he's at the other house.

I have taken on board everything DD has said since she started talking, ex is an evil manipulator who, when confronted, always says she's lying.

Be observant, listen and re-assure him xx

Ifallelsefails · 06/05/2026 04:56

It could also be because he's had chicken pox and feels rubbish but he can't tell you that - he may just feel off bless him. Worth exploring though.

MNTouristhere · 06/05/2026 07:51

How does the issue time with the new house and does Dad live in the old more familiar house? If both of you in new houses, is one more like the other or does it contain more of his familiar things? It may be the closest to familiar that he is seeking rather than either of you personally.

AllieJayP · 06/05/2026 09:47

Geppili · 03/05/2026 23:18

Get your partner to move out. Protect your tiny son.

I don’t know why people keep saying that the new partner should move out.
It is probably his house and mum has moved in with him.
I don’t know enough about the mother’s situation to be judgemental.

PoppinjayPolly · 06/05/2026 19:59

Ifallelsefails · 06/05/2026 02:31

I did more or less the same when DD was just under 4. We were in a domestic abuse situation and needed an escape route. DD was protected from it all so she wasn't aware as such that anything was wrong as I distracted her constantly. My life was directly threatened once and that was once too often, on top of the rest which had happened intermittently over the years.

To cut a long story short, a fairytale began - a man on a white horse came to rescue us, took fair maiden and DD to safety and left the nasty abuser crying in a pile just like he fecking deserved.

We all lived happily ever after except the nasty abuser started emotionally abusing DD during contact time - we listened to every word when she came home, she spilled everything in total innocence that her dad had said to her and how he'd treated her.

So in my experience it's not necessarily anything you & your partner are doing, it might be what is being said and done when he's at the other house.

I have taken on board everything DD has said since she started talking, ex is an evil manipulator who, when confronted, always says she's lying.

Be observant, listen and re-assure him xx

How is this the same?! Are you saying ops ex h must be abusive and her new partner is a superstar hero who rescued them?! 🤨

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