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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

Meeting father for first time in 20 years. Any advice please.

23 replies

BeesFleas · 23/10/2013 18:11

Quick background. My parents divorced when I was 10. Mother had residency, my father didn't make a great effort to see us (me and sibling). He was a fun dad when we were little, but since the divorce, he was pretty rubbish at being involved, and I felt he neglected his parental duty and my mother had to do everything, and we cut him out. He made no effort to make amends.
20 years on, I have a child. He is now three, and has been asking where my daddy is. PIL are useless - FIL is a grump, barely acknowledges my child, looks miserably at him, would rather watch the golf than say hello to his grandson (yes, actually). MIL has temper issues. I would prefer to protect them from this and we barely see them. There are other issues with them too. DH is on board (with me!). I do not see my own mother at all now due to her incessant nagging and criticism of how we are raising our DC. Perhaps it is me. Am I too quick to cut people out? I simply have no time for people who don't bring happiness to our lives, and instead bring stress and negative drama. I have posted about my mother and the outlaws on here under different usernames and been told unanimously that they are toxic and to minimise or cut contact for the sake of my son and my own sanity.
So that now leaves my father, as the only potentially fun grandparent my son could have. So here we are. DS asked me a few weeks ago where my father was. So I asked my son if he'd like to meet him, and he said yes. So, I made contact. And my father is visiting this weekend (he and his wife live 200miles away).

Any tips for making it an easy and not awkward meeting? I have no intention of making any issue of his crapness when I was a teen. It's the past. I am only doing this because I think he actually would make a good grandfather for my son, as he was a fun dad when I was little and that's all I want from a grandparent for my child. I feel bad my son doesn't have other better grandparents. I also think my father will make a real effort to make up for lost time, and make up for what he missed out on with me and my sibling, and be a good fun grandad. My expectations are not too high, I don't think. I do of course have some reservations, but I felt it was worth trying.

Argh, sorry for the jumbled ramble, any tips at all? I feel nervous and apprehensive. They are staying in a hotel. How often should we meet up, and for how long, this first reunion? And where? Etc. Help!

OP posts:
Meerka · 23/10/2013 18:38

Its good they are at a hotel and not in your home, for first things. This is absolutely bound to be a tricky meeting at best. Old emotions and angers, and new expectations; you're strangers and yet you are related. In your favour is that there is goodwill and the will to make it work.

Try to keep low expectations. It may not pan out even if you all want it to. Keep it low key and if its not too late, don't build up your son's expectations. Anything that goes well is a bonus, not a right. After all - you are strangers now. Its an odd situation (one I've been in, btw. Complicated family history, in spades).

I think one of the keys here is to both agree on how much time you spend together, preferably ahead of time at least for the first meeting.

I would suggest keeping the first meeting relatively short like an hour or two and considering even the first meeting in a neutral place like the hotel bar, unless it feels really right to ask them immediately to your home. In your home, its going to feel odder for you perhaps. He's your absent father who really should have been there. Meeting in neutral ground allows you better to meet as adults not father-daughter ... becuase the bonds are there, but also half-broken. Then go home for lunch and let them have lunch there, unless you really suddenly click amazingly. That space and time apart will give each of you time to take in first impressions and to come to terms with things. ALso, they must be rather older now and they may need to rest after the long journey. I would suggest this to them now, ahead of time, so that it doesnt come as a sort of rejection.

then meet up again early afternoon and go to the playground if they like that sort of thing. They're there for your son perhaps more than for you, so it's grandparent / grandson's time.

If things click then they can come to your house for dinner maybe? if not or if they need to rest, then Im sure they can eat at the hotel. Would you ask them over in the evening to chat just as a more grown-up conversation after your son is in bed?

then sunday morning, meet up again.

None of this needs to be written in stone, if you find you get on like a house on fire then maybe no need for breaks at all.

Btw, I know its incredibly sad if a child has no involved grandparents. But in a way, the child himself does not know fully know what he is missing and can accept it if you say "I'm afraid mummy's family wasn't always very nice so we don't see them very often". But it is of course much, much, much nicer for them to have an involved grandparent!

Do you cut people out too fast? I dont know. I think that it sounds sensible to focus on people who bring happiness, not negative drama though. Constructive people are so so much better to be around than negative and leave a far happier long term impression. So I suspect that your approach is sensible.

if you find yoru own feelings about his abandonment surfacing, then keep in mind they are there for your son more than for you, actually. Also, be sure to pay equal attention to both your father and his wife as far as you can. That will send the message that you accept them both equally. Nothing is going to go bad quicker than ignoring her. She could be a powerful force on yoru side though, if you get on well with her.

very best of luck, its a very exiting time ! Would love to know how it ends up :)

BeesFleas · 23/10/2013 18:53

Meerka, thank you so so much for that thorough and brilliant reply, it's truly helped. I will read it many times, thank you. Really good advice, just what I needed.

My son has only just turned three, so he is young enough to not be fazed if things don't pan out. I do of course have some concern that things could be good for a few years, and then my father go AWOL, so at a time when my son would feel hurt, but it is a small concern as I do think given this second chance, my father will jump at an opportunity to have some time with a grandchild. I imagine he thought he'd never ever have the chance, and now, in his older years, is delighted to be offered this olive branch.

I know exactly what it is like to have no grandparents, as my maternal ones were dead before I was born, and my parents had issues with my paternal ones so we barely saw them. I turned out fine, but I do feel it could be something nice for my son, to have an older person in his life, an extra adult to adore him. An extra two, counting my father's wife. She has been very good at emailing me since I got in touch, asked me to consider adding her on Fb so she could she more of my son and what we are up to, she asks lots of caring questions, I think she is keen to help build bridges for her husband and his grandchild.

I am not concerned about myself re feelings of abandonment. I am strong in that regard. I feel mainly I am doing this for my son, and a small element is that maybe it will make an old man happy too. Ha, that sounded all martyr like. I didn't mean like that!

I will definitely update.

OP posts:
BeesFleas · 23/10/2013 18:54

Meerka, did it turn out well for you? Or would you rather not say?

OP posts:
Meerka · 23/10/2013 19:11

it ... is hard to describe. Family background is so complicated that I don't even know where to begin, specially when keeping in mind that it's jsut possible one of the female relatives might read this and I'd rather not out myself.

Overall for me it did not work out with the absent father, but becuase I was still very young and devastated from a background that even trying to be dispassionate, I can only call difficult. So I didn't handle it well and it didnt work out. But since then I've got in touch with other stray branches of the family and handled that much better. One of the keys for me has been to keep the first meeting short and to discuss how long it'll be, beforehand. Not too easy if someone is travelling 200 miles tho! But doing it that way has let me build up to quite satisfactory relationships with other branches of the family tree.

it soudns like your fathers wife is very positive and that's a real strength on your side :)

BeesFleas · 23/10/2013 21:09

Thank you for sharing, Meerka. I'm sorry it didn't work out. I'm sure it is his loss. That sounds trite, but it usually is the parent's loss, I think. I'm glad things are going better with the other relatives.
Wishing you well.

Thank you, yeah, she seems keen to help this happen for my father. She knows him much better than I do, I think she is delighted he is getting this chance to be a grandad.

OP posts:
Thatsthewayitcrumbles · 24/10/2013 12:07

I think you're brave doing this. I've never had contact with dad and wouldn't want to. The fact your dad is making the effort and staying in hotel is good sign and it maybe he has grand children through new wife?

Id definitely take Meerka sage advice. Meet on own first and in neutral place just so you know how you feel. Lot of emotions going to be in you so get that over with so you're sure about him then meeting with your husband and son.

My mum didn't get on with my grandfather but he was a great grandpa to me.

Lots luck with it and let us know how it goes.

BeesFleas · 24/10/2013 18:06

Thanks, crumbles. It took a lot for me to summon up the strength to make contact. And to think through meeting up for the first time, and how awkward it would be. Handshake, hug, neither? What? Argh! Yes, it is good they are making the effort to travel so far, and stay in a hotel. His wife does have a grandchild, she is a couple of years older than my son. I don't know how much my father would view this child as his own grandchild though.

Do you not think I should take my husband and son to the first meeting? I was thinking I would. My husband for support, and my son for distraction! And I don't feel my son will come off badly if it doesn't work out, he is just too young to understand family relationships like this yet, and if we don't see my father again after this, my son won't even remember.

OP posts:
Meerka · 24/10/2013 18:29

I woudl take them myself, definitely. The whole point of this visit is your son and any awkward moments can be covered by "isn't he wonderful" chat which can lead on to asking about her grandson, if conversation flags. otherwise all the focus is on you and on them, and that's a bit intense. Low-key is best.

I would offer to shake hands but expect maybe a touch of awkwardness as neither side will know what to do. It can even be something you half-laugh about, which defuses things nicely.

Maybe plan in the first meeting to go reasonably quickly to the cafe for tea or coffee.

If you don't feel like you need a break and lunch apart, ask them which they prefer, lunch out / at the hotel / even, if you feel ok with it, at your house. Better to ask than to assume.

BeesFleas · 24/10/2013 18:51

Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking. DS will definitely help take the focus off my father and I. And he is busy and active and distracting. Well this make a relationship with my father superficial? Perhaps that is ok. I really am just aiming for an extra adult to adore my child.

Thanks for all your advice. Lots to consider.

OP posts:
Meerka · 24/10/2013 19:26

your relationship with your father has been non-existant for years. He cant ever again be the Daddy that your 10-year old self would have liked. So many years on, really you will be relating as adults. You mgiht or might not at some point talk about what happened. Possibly on 2nd or 3rd or 4th visit if this goes well. I think superficial, right now, is good.

BeesFleas · 24/10/2013 19:33

Ok, thank you. Tbh, I don't even feel like I need to talk about the past with him. I turned out fine, in fact, I possibly became more capable and certainly more financially sensible because I was determined never to be reliant on a man and struggle financially like my mother did. I also took no bullshit from any man, and held out for a very long time to find a really amazing guy.

OP posts:
BeesFleas · 27/10/2013 23:16

À quick update; I'm feeling emotionally exhausted.
They came up tonight, I've just got home from meeting them for a couple of hours. It went fine. I was stressed going in, but it was ok. I felt they were open to a hug hello so I hugged them hello, my father seemed relieved and pleased. Toddler DS ensured things were light and easy as he was busy being a toddler, and charming. Seeing them tomorrow without DH as he's at work, think we will go to softplay and/or the park, not sure how long this meet should be, I just feel shattered. Maybe send them back to their hotel after, then invite back for dinner a couple of hours later? I guess we play it by ear.
So, overall good, I do feel out of my comfort zone, but I am doing this for my child, and I hope it is worth it for him. My father seemed really delighted to meet his grandson, looked mesmerised by him. Not sure how much of a relationship we will all have as we live so far away.

OP posts:
Meerka · 29/10/2013 09:06

lovely to hear bees. cant type much atm, horrid preg sickness but so very glad it went well

alllongago · 29/10/2013 12:19

It's a little sad you're only doing this for your son and that you don't really seem to care yourself about establishing any kind of genuine relationship your dad again. It just sounds a little cold and purely for your son's benefit.
I'm a dad who completely lost contact with my daughters because my ex wife made it impossible for me to maintain contact because she wanted them all to herself, like possessions, it seems to me. But people have said I could have tried harder, not accepting how extremely determined my wife was for me not to get to see them. So they blame me, and never my wife for obstructing me at every turn when I tried.
Not having any more energy to pursue it further I gave up and left them to it. I let her win her battle and thought it might make life easier for her and the children if I just left them alone. Anyway I was feeling totally depressed and just dropped all contact completely. Didn't even send cards, did nothing more. I felt bitter and terribly hurt.
They're now in their 40s and years ago (in their 20s) made it clear I must never ever try to contact them in any way till death as I was 'an ogre and an evil bastard', according to my eldest. God knows how my ex wife managed to poison their minds against me so completely! Believe me I loved them and tried to be a good father, so it was a horrible shock that I'm hated for life. But that's the way it is.
Just telling you this in case you also have a very biased view of your dad. Maybe your mother painted a far worse picture of him than what he was and how he behaved at that time. Maybe she tried to turn you completely against him like my ex wife did. Don't believe all she says, whatever you do.
Maybe you should give him more of a chance to develop a loving relationship with him again and not let it just be all about your son's benefit only. Just a thought. Some people are very good at poisoning children's minds, it seems.

IloveJudgeJudy · 29/10/2013 12:45

SIL has reintroduced contact with her absent father for the sake of her son. It's going very well. There is no expectation on either side. Her father is making much more of an effort with his GS than he ever did with his own DC. I hope it turns out well for you. I did ask SIL how she feels about her father and she said that so long as he makes an effort for the GS, then she is happy.

lovetheprintedword · 29/10/2013 14:10

I do think it sounds like you are very quick to cut people out of your life. You've cut out all four of your child's grandparents and are only now letting your dad back in as his offence was the longest ago so hard to forgive. That does seem like an odd balance.

I know people can be really hard work - especially parents - and that they don't always live up to expectations, but sometimes you've just got to look for the positives rather than the negatives and celebrate them for the things that they do offer. Your child will also not see them the way that you do. I think my FIL is a royal pain in the arse, and rude, but my kids don't see that and love him to bits.

Good luck re-establishing contact with your dad. I think it's lovely that you're able to have him in your life again.

BeesFleas · 29/10/2013 23:28

Meerka, thanks. I hope you are feeling better soon.

alllongago, I appreciate your taking the time to write, and put across your side, but I think you are projecting. My mother, for all her faults, did not poison us against him. He really was just useless once they split, and made barely any effort to see us. As for you, I do think a parent should try harder. I discussed this with my husband before I met my father: that if he and I ever split, and I became a complete psycho, there is no way he wouldn't do anything and everything to maintain contact with his son. "Not having any more energy to pursue it"??? Sorry, I just don't think this is good enough, as a parent.
As for building a genuine relationship with him for myself and him, I just don't really see it. I don't respect him for how crap he was when he left, but he was a playful dad when we were young, and I think that will be good for my child.

JudgeJudy, thank you for sharing. That is absolutely exactly how I feel. I hope it continues to go well for your SIL and her DC.

ltpw, I think my asking in my OP if I am too quick to cut people out was really a rhetorical question. I know I didn't give enough info in my OP as to why I cut my mother out, though I did write on here before and the response was that I was justified in cutting her out and protecting my child. And myself, from her negativity, her nagging and cristicism, undermining me, emotionally draining me. We haven't cut PIL out, though admittedly I would like to, but we see very little of them, and that is actually their choice, and a big reason why I would prefer to protect my child from them - they are fairly local and cannot be bothered to see my child, and when we have popped to theirs, FIL ignores my child, yet is full of joy when his other grandchildren are around, and I don't want my child exposed to that favouritism. Mil flies off the handle and shouts at me, in front of my child, so no, I don't want my child around her either. She also hugely favours SIL's children, and makes it obvious (she also favours golden SIL over my DH.). So, it's a little more that they are 'hard work', and more that I wish to protect my child from toxic people. I am not of the opinion that we have to make allowances for people just because we are related to them. People put up with far too much crap merely because they share DNA, to their detriment.

OP posts:
Meerka · 06/11/2013 07:27

Bees, Im sorry I didnt write more, have been in hospital.

But I was so pleased to read it went well. will you give us some details? :) how long did they stay? they and your son bonded well from the sound of it, which is great. are they coming back again some time? what did you decide on the sunday? it must have been quite a lot to take in in many ways!

cosydressinggown · 06/11/2013 09:14

OP you sound so negative. Can all the people around you really be so awful?!

I don't think there's any point building a relationship between your father and your child and not building a relationship yourself, otherwise it's just a fucked up dynamic that's going to make your child anxious and confused as they get older.

BeesFleas · 07/02/2018 23:29

A LONG-overdue update, I was just searching for my old threads and had forgotten this one.
@Meerka especially, I hope all is well with you.
And I'm sorry I didn't update at the time - I think I just missed it.

Well, things are fine with my father! We live too far away to have a full-on relationship, but considering the distance (and the missing years), things are good enough!
All in all, it was worth reaching out a few years ago.

PIL have also completely turned around! I think they realised that they'd lose DS completely, and made an effort, and now it's effortless, and DS adores them.

So, all good!

OP posts:
Notadrill · 07/02/2018 23:40

My gosh, what a lovely update! Wine Cake

springydaff · 07/02/2018 23:56

wow! Flowers

BeesFleas · 08/02/2018 10:12

Thank you!

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