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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

Ex H expecting me to pay for his recreation

42 replies

toitoi · 15/06/2017 07:10

My two children have turned out to be good at an expensive sport. I don't do this sport at all and my ex does it occasionally, recreationally and not well. The kids have won a coaching scholarship - 10 Sundays, full coaching for a big long day. There is still a cost and it is quite significant and we have agreed to share that. Sunday is always his day and initially we agreed he would go. It is a difficult drive needing a decent vehicle - he took the good car and I have an old banger. Now he wants me to pay for half of the fees to allow him to take part - this is not necessary for the kids. All that is required is transporting them and waiting around. Of course he can take part if he wants, but I don't see why I should have to pay $350 for his recreation I have suggested that I pay towards petrol money instead or else we will do 5 Sundays each. He is having a tantrum.

OP posts:
Ellisandra · 15/06/2017 09:59

Mix of things there.
Firstly on paying for his ski pass or whatever it is... no no no. Cheeky fucker!

Paying half of petrol - yes, if you otherwise paid equally for the kids and you both wanted them to do this. Then it would be fair. I don't think a divorced couple can divvy up every expense to the penny, but major expenses should be reviewed individually and in principle I think it's fair to consider splitting petrol costs. But - you have considered it, and the swim trips balance it so - nothing owing.

The time... well, if he only has the Sunday (?) and they're going to miss 10 weeks of access, then I'd be open to swapping to do 5 of the days. Not because of the time or the cost, but because it's a long time not to see their dad properly. And in that case, you'd get the petrol cost too. If you really can't afford that, then it's fair to say you'll swap 5 of his Sundays but you need the petrol money. He seems OK about missing the time though.

The car... when you split, you have to let go of shared ownership. Have you completed your financial settlement? If he's using the car and you're not, you need him to buy you out of it. It just isn't sustainable to think of it as also yours. In an amicable split where you can say 'could I borrow your car to do x?' then fab - but this is not amicable.

Amusing to think of him stressing that you might leave crisp crumbs in his precious... but rude if you do it. Even if it really is jointly owned, if you have decided to let it stay with him, it's rude to not give it back clean.

Can't believe he has the cheek to ask you to pay half for him though!!!! Just a simple "no" is the answer- no reasons and sadly no letting rip Wink just "no".

toitoi · 15/06/2017 10:12

Sorry. Been at a friends. He does work. Ft job. Earns less than me. His time with the kids is teatime Saturday til Tuesday usually. We are not divorced yet. The nice car is still being paid for. We pay half each. I have asked him to buy me out. He has refused. I live in the family home still. I pay him for my occupancy.

OP posts:
timeisnotaline · 15/06/2017 10:59

If you are doing half the driving , say well I will need a pass too obviously. Do you want to pay me half for mine or should we just each cover our own? (Even though you don't want it, what can he say?)

Buttonmushoomex · 15/06/2017 11:03

Wow, what a manchild.

Why does he have to do this activity? Can't he entertain himself as an adult and enjoy watching and nurturing his kids? Or is he jealous of them doing something they love and excel at?

Even if he has to do this I cannot understand why you'd have to bloody pay.

Do you have a friend willing to help if possible, or any DGPs to support the kids?

Could a friend drive with you and let you have a sleep on the car or something?

On several occasions like this my STBEXH tried to emotionally blackmail me. It was always around making me feel bad at having something to do with DC. It's painful and exhausting but I had to say no, and deal with it myself. It's the only way for them to learn you aren't there to deal with their shit anymore.

I'd suggest giving the car back and giving up the payments too. You can't afford it.

toitoi · 15/06/2017 11:36

I don't have the car Button. He has it. I have an old banger.

OP posts:
Ellisandra · 15/06/2017 12:09

Why are you paying for it then? Confused

toitoi · 15/06/2017 12:44

We still have shared debt and shared assets. Our split is not very old.

OP posts:
donners312 · 15/06/2017 13:59

It falls on his day so he has to do it and pay for it!!!

If he doesn't he can explain to the children why he is too much of a lazy, tightarsed wanker to support them in their sport.

toitoi · 15/06/2017 20:17

Donners GrinGrinGrin

OP posts:
educationforlife · 15/06/2017 22:03

Yup donners has hit the nail on the head.
Oh and stop paying for his car.
Wanker

Siwdmae · 15/06/2017 22:27

Why are you paying him to live in your house?! Is he paying you maintenance? Can I suggest you take back the decent car and stop paying him any money because that seems insane!

SleepingTiger · 15/06/2017 22:55

What?

You mean a pyramid and slaves and sacrifices and all that stuff?
Is he Ancient Egyptian or something? Believes in Horus and stuff?

In which case he needs to save up for his own Re-creation.

CouldntMakeThisShitUp · 16/06/2017 00:28

Sunday is always his day and initially we agreed he would go. It is a difficult drive needing a decent vehicle - he took the good car

I think it's about time you stopped allowing him to mess with your head, OP.
You are not doing anything wrong/failing dc or being mean.....so STOP second guessing yourself.

It's a no brainer.....
The activity takes place on his contact time - and he has given his approval for the dc to attend.
He has sole use of the only appropriate car.
Therefore - he foots the petrol AND the travelling.

If he wants to take part himself in the activity then he pays for it.

If he refuses to take the dc then that's on him and he has to own it.

Don't let him emotionally blackmail you by threatening to stop the dc attending unless you pay for him also....he obviously still thinks the world revolves around him.

CouldntMakeThisShitUp · 16/06/2017 00:31

unless you've got a mortgage/debts etc that you're both paying half towards - you shouldn't be paying him to stay in the house!

Mix56 · 16/06/2017 07:00

Paying half for a car you don't have is also nuts. he either buys out your share, or you buy out his, or it's sold.
If all was being civil, he would hand over the car for any long trips including DC. but apparently this isn't the case.
Have you seen a lawyer ? I don't know how it works in NZ. but he doesn't walk out & get to keep joint finance on a car indefinitely. the house is half yours, or more as you are resident parent. Who paid the mortgage?
If you paid more than him it is possible you don't need to now rent your share.
It's obviously not something you can know without legal advice.

FluffyWhiteTowels · 16/06/2017 07:08

Yup. Stay firm he is a cheeky one. does sound like you're paying more than you need to.

FluffyWhiteTowels · 16/06/2017 07:09

Re the finance for the car. If you're both still on the finance and he stops paying his share (which you might not know if he stops) then the finance would come after you wouldn't they? And this could affect your credit rating I think. Just a thought.

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