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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Need a shake.....

32 replies

Cuppatea2sugars · 16/06/2012 22:08

Ah, where to start. Got a bit of background, but will briefly explain...

Me and dp have a 6 month old ds. My dp also has a 4 year old dd who lives an hour away. He also has 2 elder children who live an hour and half away.

Dp has had a habit of eloping his eldest dd the ins and outs of our relationship, or rows at least. He has a habit of doing the whole woe betide me thing though when telling them....believe me, he's done some shit things and has put me thru hell....but that is past and I am trying putting that behind us. Anyway, after arguing explaining that I didn't agree with him discussing stuff with his dd, that it makes me feel isolated when he wants me to go u there knowing that he's been slating me, and that after all, it's his dd and I didn't think it was appropriate, he agreed that he wouldn't discuss in future. There was a period where we split up, a brief period. I told dp that I was removing his family from Facebook before he gives them the woe betide me story and I am on the back end of a lot of abuse. However, I decided against this and removed myself with the view that when the dust had settled I'd hope things would be amicable, after all, our ds is their family. Dp and I reconciled. I reactivated my Facebook account and thought things were fine. However, his dd blocked me. I asked dp if he had discussed anything. He said no. I text his dd and asked if she'd come offmfacebook (I knew fine well she hadn't) or had she blocked me. Said I hopedive not upset her and I hope she's ok. She didn't respond. My dp says he spoke to her and she was unhappy that I had deleted her off Facebook and our ds is her db. I hadn't deleted her, however, had told dp that I would be deleting his family to avoid backlash and he had told her this. I text her saying that dp had explained, I can see her point of view. It was nothing personal, too, myself off as was dreading back lash. Didn't want anyone hearing half a story and me being on end of any shit. I'm sorry for upsetting you. I didn't hear anything. Days later dp says he'd spoken to his dd and everything was fine. We'd been playing a game, and she resigned from it which I thought was odd. Messages her saying you resigned? Couldn't handle the pressure haha. I'm guessing that it's not that and you are upset with me. I am sorry I upset you. I hae apologised, not sure what else I can say. I hope you calm down and forgive. I wasn't being horrible, honestly. If there is something that's really bothering you would like t talk. Do t want to fall out. Didn't hear anything back. Weeks passed, dp again told me everything was fine, she'd calmed down. I ask her for advice on ds, as she also has a ds. I asked her if her ds went off milk whe. He was teething as ds was doing so and didn't know whether it was teething or what. No reply. Message again days later saying you still pissed with me, man you get your stubbornness from your o,d man :) come on, what have I done, is is really unsortable? Don't want to fall out. If I have done something to justify this, would like to talk and sort things out. Expecting this to be ignore, won't bother you again. Hope you and little man are ok. No response.

All this started on 3rd may. I thought we got on.....obviously not that well. Dp has visited alone. She has now tod him that she didn't want to get involved in anything so she ignored me and she'd have ignored him too if she could but he's her df. I'm confused as to what she means by this as at no point have I attempted to get anyone involved in anything. She told dp that she would contact me.....she hasn't. I'm leaving the ball in her court. Short of begging her, I don't see anything else I can do.

Anyway........that's the brief background. So it's fathers day tomorrow. Dp had arranged to pick up youngest dd at 10.30am, get back here at around 11.30am......I had arranged a meal at 3pm. Eldest dd rings him today to ask him what he wants for fathers day. I ask if the elder dc are coming tomorrow. He says no, that he was meant to be going over there but has decided not to as picking youngest dd up late and skins (we had just put deposit on prof photos and he said that they'd expect to be taken out for a meal and he can't afford) I said, do you it think you should tell her. He rang her and she was understandably disappointed. She said that her ds was looking forward to seeing his dd, they are around the same age and wee play buddies, that her ds's dad has let him down and they are the ones always getting dropped. Apparently he'd been telling her all week he was coming then leaves it til last minute to cancel. I didn't know anything about this arrangement, he hadnt even told me. I said I can see exactly where she is coming from, not first time he's cancelled last minute. I said I was angry at the way in which he'd dealt with it. He said he didn't tell me coz he feels uncomfortable, like piggy in the middle. I have done nothing for him to feel this way. He said he thought I could be adult. I said I've been adult by apologising repeatedly to knowing what I've done to upset her and short of begging I'm not sure what he expects. I tell him I'll cancel what I had planned. He said you've got fuck all planned, nothing, you've got nothing planned. Starts swearing. Basically he messes up and it's my fault. He says he wants to take ds which I'm not happy with as he would be sat in car from 9.30am till 12.30pm. He's due lunch at 12pm and naps from 12.30 til 2.30pm, has a bottle and dp would need to set off just before 3pm as ds has swimming lesson at 4.30pm and his dd needs dropping home. On top of that ds does not like the car one bit, refuses to sleep in it unless he's screamed himself to sleep, I just think that out of 7 hours he'd be travelling for 4 and half hours and that would pretty much be spent screaming, he wouldn't sleep. I wouldn't however, stop him from taking ds on fathers day. He then tells me he'd bring ds back "when he was ready and not before"

I told him things were over.......god I was so angry, didn't mean it at all. I don't know what I'm more upset with...the way he handled his mess up or the fact that he feels he can't talk to me about stuff...... :(

He has a habit of trying to please everyone, says yes yes yes to everyone and I think that's what's happened here. I just don't know what he thinks I would have said if he'd have told me weeks ago that he was going to hull......if he thinks I'd say no you're not, he doesn't know me at all....that hurts so much

OP posts:
EclecticShock · 16/06/2012 22:14

I'm sorry you're having a tough time. I really don't mean to be a pain but your post is so long and detailed, it might get more responses if you break it up a little, especially at this one of the evening. Sorry, I know that's not helpful to you right now, but it's quite a tough read to follow...

Cuppatea2sugars · 16/06/2012 22:15

Ee I know.....I'm on my phone and everything is just falling out. Sorry it's tough to read.

OP posts:
Cuppatea2sugars · 16/06/2012 22:16

I know there's loads of typos too, and my auto spell has confused things even more

OP posts:
EclecticShock · 16/06/2012 22:19

I think I got the just. You've fallen out with your dps eldest dd, because he tells her your problems? She's not speaking to you... He promise to see her tomorrow and cancelled a late notice? She's annoyed.. He wants to take your young ds to see her, it's a bit awkward due to your ds routine? He was rude to you? You're pissed off? Is that kind of the order of things?

EclecticShock · 16/06/2012 22:24

Im on phone too and loads of typos, so not just you :)

Xales · 16/06/2012 22:28

That sounds really frustrating. I would stop contacting his daughter and leave him and her to sort out their relationship between them for now. It is really pissy when people only get one side of a story during arguments but I think it is best you leave her well alone.

Can you and your P get some external help to try and resolve the issues?

If you have a read it is not wise to leave little babies in car seats for that length of time. I am not sure at what age it becomes safer. If your DS is going to be upset and cry for 3 hours while is father is driving will he pull over and take a break? Is he going to pull over and deal with his nappies and feeding? Sorry you just haven't said how involved on a day to day basis he is with a baby's needs.

I really don't like when he says He then tells me he'd bring ds back "when he was ready and not before" what about when a little 6 month baby needs his mother rather than putting himself first. That is very threatening during an arguement Sad

I think DS would be better at home on this occasion.

Rowanhart · 16/06/2012 22:44

I've got to say that you are engaging with your step child as if you are equally. As if she is not the child and you the grown up.

My advice? Stop giving her power and pleading with her. Ignore her. Either she'll come round or not, but at the moment she must be loving the feeling of you begging and cajoaling.

Cuppatea2sugars · 17/06/2012 07:49

eclectic - more or less, although I don't know why she's seen her arse with me if I'm honest, I don't even think she does anymore. I don't know whether dp has told her things, he says not, but don't understand reason for ignoring me. I'm pissed Because he didn't tell me about these plans. It was an off the cuff well I was meant to be going but I'm not.....at 6pm last night. But yes, he was rude, I'm annoyed.

xales I have left his dd well alone. I left the ball in her court to contact me when she felt ready and that I wouldn't contact her again. Dp wouldn't pull over and take a break if he was screaming as ds would stop screaming ur then as soon as back in the car would recommence. Ds due lunch at 12pm but if I'm honest, I think dp would get to his elder dd before feeding him. He would, however, pull over to deal with nappies. He said that he would hope I would be grown up and come as he's having to deal with 2 kids, one of which has the car. I dont understand the reason for him taking ds, well I do, but I think it's completely selfish. He's not going to be spending any quality time with him, he's going to be stuck in the car for 4 and half hours and the 2 and half hours that he's due at his elder dd, he's meant to be napping...l.he will only take this long nap in a bed but they will be going out = one very tired and stroppy baby for mum to deal with. Dp will drop him off at swimming at 4.30pm, then drop his other dd off meaning he will be back at 6.30pm......right before baby's bed.

It was at that point that I said "that's it, it's over" when he said that he would bring ds when he was good and ready. I just thought you selfish twunt, not only do you want to take ds for a scenic route of the country so you can spend "quality time on fathers day" but you also want him to miss out on his swimming to suit you. Bearing in mind, I knew nothing about his visit and had been talking about swimming with ds all week....he never mentioned a thing.

rowan dp's dd is 5 years younger than me, dp is much older than me. She isn't has has never been treat as a sd as such, I doubt she would appreciate it much and I treat her as an equal as does she with me. I haven't contacted her since last time when I said I wouldn't do so again.

I have spoken to dp last night. He said he was annoyed as dd had said that they're always being dropped, he got defensive and took it out on me. But still managed to do the whole woe betide me. I explained that I would never stop him from taking ds on fathers day but I don't think it's in his best interest and he wouldn't be spending any quality time together, ds would be ratty, wouldn't sleep and it wouldn't be enjoyable for ds, dp or his family dealing with tired ratty baby expected to travel 4 and half hours for a 2 and half hour visit which falls right over his dinner and nap time as it is. He agreed and so ds is staying wih me today but he's saying "it's always me that loses" now my view is, if he'd have told me, we could have celebrated fathers day yesterday, done something special, but he didn't and he's only got himself to blame for that. He says that he'd hope I'd just come with him as dealing with 2 kids hard.

I suppose im just wanting to be told that I am doing the right thing and not going somewhere where I'm going to feel completely uncomfortable and isolated just so dp doesn't lose out.

I don't understand why, on fathers day 2 grown ups couldn't jup on train to see their df. Dp will be travelling for 7 hours today. I don't know what time be will be leaving his elder kids now as he doesn't need to rush back for ds's swimming lesson, but can't imagine it being later than 4pm as he needs to drop his youngest dd with her dm. So 7 hours driving for 3 and half hour trip on fathers day. I'm not getting involved in that one though.

I have a feeling that this will be used against me and his dd will see it as me stopping her from seeing her db and that things will become worse for me. I have told dp to arrange taking both his dd and our ds to visit on our access weekend for his younger dd. set off early, travel back after tea so that it's a 3 hour drive and a days rest in between of travelling. I would never stop dp taking ds to see his family, but in this instance I don't think it's reasonable or fair on ds.

Please tell me I'm not being unreasonable......or am I being a complete cow.

OP posts:
Cuppatea2sugars · 17/06/2012 08:50

Oh and he's in a foul mood this morning Hmm....guess he's upset and taking it out on me again.....

His dd has messages asking if me and ds are going. He said no, that ds has swimming at 4.30pm, hates the car and won't sleep and he'd have a ratty baby on a 4 hour drive. It'd be 4 and half and then add to that the journey to wherever they go for meal....you're talking 5 hours in the car 2 hours out of it. Dpsays his dd will be annoyed. Think this is going to make things really difficult for me. Dp won't explain any of this to her, I know he won't. The issue isn't that he hates the car, its that none of this has been planned. He could go to see family but would expect that its arranged so that they go when partners dd is stopping with us, they leave early and get back before bed meaning 3 hour drive and 6 hours out of car enjoying family.

Fed up

OP posts:
DoingItForMyself · 17/06/2012 09:09

Could you actually speak to her in real words at all?!

All these problems seem to be caused/exacerbated by people contacting each other through Facebook and texting - it all gets so convoluted, when actually maybe a phone call or, god forbid, talking to her face to face, would avoid all the games.

Just a thought.

Cuppatea2sugars · 17/06/2012 09:23

I tried to call her initially, she didn't pick up. And I don't particularly want ttrample a 3 hour round trip to see her and sort if when i get there, she refuses to speak to me.

OP posts:
Cuppatea2sugars · 17/06/2012 09:25

When I said she messaged this morning, she messaged my dp. I haven't heard off her since the start of may.

OP posts:
DoingItForMyself · 17/06/2012 09:33

Well then you've done your best. Let it go and if she grows up a bit and actually wants a relationship with you, she knows where you are.

MrsGaff · 17/06/2012 09:34

Agree with doingit. For gods sake pick up the phone and speak to each other. All this falling out and deleting people on Facebook is pathetic and juvenile.

Communication by text in this kind of situation is not good. You can't explain yourself properly and she can't pick up on tone of voice, etc. Some of your previous texts could have come across as quite aggressive tbh, especially the "you still pissed with me, you get your stubbornness from your old man" text.

Cuppatea2sugars · 17/06/2012 09:44

Mrs gaff, I suppose you're right, although, that wasn't what I was aiming for at all. Myself and his dd have always got on, had banter etc etc. I have tried to call, albeit, not recently as she didn't pick up and I left the ball in her court. I haven't actually done, as far as myself or dp can see, anything wrong.

I suppose, whilst I was after advice on this, I was more looking for advice around whether I was being unreasonable with having ds on fathers day instead of dp taking him all that way to see family for a matter of hours. I have a feeling that ds staying here is going to make things a lot worse for his dd, I don't think she'll see (if my dp even bothers to tell her) my reasoning. I did, however, say to my dp that if he really wanted to take ds I wouldn't stop him on fathers day but don't personally think its fair. Dp agreed when he had calmed down.

OP posts:
Xales · 17/06/2012 11:08

I think you need a serious chat with your P and a mediator as to if he does/doesn't make plans. If they are unrealistic. If they are not communicated to you then it is not your flaming fault and he should stop blaming you to everyone else and he is just 'oh poor me I lose out again'.

When he is the flaming one creating the problems.

Does he take accept blame for anything?

I can't believe his has only been like this last few months/since he has been with you although his DD will see it a different way.

DoingItForMyself · 17/06/2012 11:14

And I think making DS's life revolve around lunch times and naps is a little unnecessary TBH. While I agree that an overly tired child is no fun for anyone, the fun of a trip to see family shouldn't be denied because YOU are worried that a car journey that you won't even be part of will be stressful.

Lots of DCs don't like being in the car - give him some toys and pencils etc, some music he likes and wave him on his way. If your DP wants to involve DS in his family life you should be pleased and try to help that happen. It sounds like you are being quite controlling about it to me.

Xales · 17/06/2012 11:17

He's a six month old baby of course his food and naps are important. Or if he screams for 3 hours in a car and is upset!

How is worrying about that being controlling?

Cuppatea2sugars · 17/06/2012 11:31

No he does not accept that he is at fault. He says "I handled it badly" and then is all woe betide me "I'm the only one losing out coz I dont see my ds on fathers day" realistically, if he took ds with him, he wouldn't be spending any time with him either and ds will not enjoy. He keeps saying the reason for ds not going is coz he doesn't like travelling. It's not that at all. It's he doesn't like travelling and it's unrealistic to expect a 6 month old to travel all that way for a 2 hour visit, regardless of whether hes keen on the car or not.

When I said to him that if he told his dd the reason for ds not visiting is because he doesn't like travelling, the situation would be exacerbated and explained (again Hmm) the reason, he became moody and just left. I'm not even sure that he can see where I'm coming from.

Things have been like this for a wee while really. I want what's best for my ds, and whilst I know that he needs to see his family, I recognise that planning around journeys, feeding, naps need to be considered.....or no one enjoys their day.

Am dreading Christmas already. Every year his family have a get together on Christmas day. This has involved, prior to ds beng born, hours travel to pick his dd up at around 2pm, travelling 2 hours to his family and leaving around 7pm-8pm to come home. We then have our Christmas day on boxing day, open presents, Christmas dinner etc. I have told dp that I want a family Christmas, that I think it's unreasonable to expect my ds not to open Christmas presents on Christmas day and for both kids to travel to his family having not opened their presents to see all the other kids that have opened theirs. I had suggested we have Christmas day here and travel to see family after Christmas day. Having thought about it, this would go down like a tonne of bricks with his other dc. So I suggested that one year we have Christmas day here, one year we have Christmas day with his family and one year we spend with mine. I know this will still go down like a tonne of bricks. Ds was born on 13/12/11. I was absolutely shattered with newborn, breastfeeding, all the normal stuff that motherhood brings. I really really wanted to spend Christmas day at home, resti g, relaxing, enjoying. When he told his dd, she wasn't happy. So dp decided that we should go. So my nearly 2 week old spent his first Xmas day travelling for four and half hours for a 3 hour visit. I have a feeling that we will be doing the same this year....and every subsequent year as dp does not want to upset.

When I read this, I sound completely unreasonable, it's just so hard trying to please everyone, especially when they live so far away and it's made even harder with this wedge that seems to have formed for no apparent reason.

OP posts:
DoingItForMyself · 17/06/2012 11:35

Hadn't noticed DS's age in amongst all the other info - pencils not so useful! At 6 months, if he's tired he will sleep. If not he can catch up later. He can eat/have milk in the car.

Giving the opportunity for naps and snacks is important - where and when they happen cannot be prescribed to the letter when life gets in the way.

Just seems like you're putting obstacles in the way of allowing DP to take him for a visit. Its a one-off, he's not doing it every weekend.

Cuppatea2sugars · 17/06/2012 11:38

doingit I don't feel I am trying to be controlling. Like I have said, I am perfectly happy for my ds to travel that distance if he is going to be spending more than 2 hours out of the car in a 7 hour period. I understand that ds's life shouldn't revolve around feeds and naps, and I'm not trying to make it. However, I wouldn't be happy with my 6 month old travelling for that amount of time with no nap coz upset. I wouldn't do it when going to see my family, who are also a 2 hour drive, for the same reasons, because I have my ds best interests at heart. Maybe I'm missing something and I am the problem in this.......:(

OP posts:
Xales · 17/06/2012 11:41

He made you and your DS do 4 hours travelling when your baby was just a fortnight old, you were learning to breastfeed and probably still bleeding and completely grotty and overwhelmed from birth because another adult saw her arse. And you think you sound unreasonable!!!!!!!

as dp does not want to upset. sorry I disagree. He doesn't give a shit if he upsets you or not in the slightest. Who is the one feeling shit and bad right now because he fucked up?

He is beginning to sound more and more like a thoughtless selfish wanker. When do you & your family get to see each other at Christmas? What you suggested is a fair compromise.

Can I ask why he is on his third family? Oh and what are his good points?

Cuppatea2sugars · 17/06/2012 11:43

doing it he is currently being weaned, and is not at the stage where he is feeding himself his meals and drinking out of a bottle by himself. By the by the feeding isn't the issue, ds could wait half hour to arrive before being fed. I honestly wish my ds would fall asleep when tired....he doesn't. He wants to lay in his bed, he will not settle in the car, the pram, on me.....I have no idea why. I. The meantime, however, he gets more tired, and screams louder and louder. Like I said, I wouldn't take my ds to see my family, travel 4 and half hours to stop for 2 hours....because I know what he is like, and I want him to be happy. I would however, travel in the morning and spend the day there before travelling back as he handles this a lot better.

OP posts:
Xales · 17/06/2012 11:44

Op has also said her P will not stop to bother feeding a six month old baby if he is hungry in the car. That is wrong.

Dee03 · 17/06/2012 11:45

Re christmas - you and your ds have a day at home, let your dp do what he likes!

I would not be travelling like that on christmas day, especially when his dd acts like she does...she sounds very spoilt and entitled to me. She definately needs to grow up!