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Relationships

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

Am I in the wrong for withdrawing sex from DP ?

92 replies

betterputsomesuncscreenon · 28/04/2018 22:17

Hello !

Had a bit of an disagreement with DP and now his not talking to me.

I’m 24, DP is 25 going onto 26 and we have a DS who is 8.

Two years ago, I left DP as the relationship wasn’t working out, the arguments were constant and weren’t good, it was affecting DS and I thought we need to break this off and have a break. I moved out, and now DS and I live with my sister temporarily.

For the past year or so, DS relationship with his dad (DP) has been inconsistent, he said it’s because his working, but I feel it’s just an excuse, he hasn’t been seeing DS regularly or not at all ! There was a period where we didn’t hear from him or see him for the past 6 months and recently, where we didn’t hear from him for 3 months (he said it’s because his working and he didn’t like the way I would be talking to him over the phone Confused).

During that period anyway, DS dad (DP) moved houses, and now lives about an hour and a half (or more !) away. When we did hear from DS dad occasionally, he would ask me to bring DS over, I would say “No” because “1). Everytime, he asks to bring DS over, it always results in him wanting Sex, when I don’t give him sex, he gets upset” and “2). Because of number 1’s reason, he can pick up DS from my sisters house”. I don’t know if I’m being unfair but as a result, he comes with an excuse (“ I have no travel money to travel all the way to you guys”), gets upset and doesn’t pick up DS.

Today, DS dad (DP) calls me and we discuss things, he asks for things to go back to they way they were, move in with him and I had a feeling that the true intention of the phone call was for us (me) to go to his house and have sex. Anyway, we are conversing, I tell him that “I need to build my trust with him again, I want him to see DS regularly/ ok fine your working but see him regularly every two weeks”.

The conversation moves on from discussing about holidays and I’m thinking, maybe all of us going on holiday may resolve things, we can talk more in depth about our relationship and so forth. DS dad (DP) gets excited, is looking at sites to book hotels, go to places etc and then he says “Oh, I need to tell my job what days I need to book off for this holiday of ours, why don’t you and DS, come over to mine and we can discuss things”. I immediantly said “No” as I know us visiting his house will just result in sex. I told DS dad “ Look, I don’t think it’s a good idea, you know what’s going to happen, I’m not on any type of contraception (had the coil removed) and don’t want to risk getting pregnant since I will be starting my Masters in the new academic term”.

DS dad whinges and tells me “Why ? Nothing is going to happen, we would just be discussing holidays and if we do end up having sex, I have condoms”. I again said “No, I don’t want to risk it, we can arrange holidays in our own time, we don’t have to be together”. He then replies Why are you being like this ? Why can’t you just relax and come to my house”. I told him “To be honest, I don’t trust you, I want you to be committed to us, I want you to see DS regularly, we didn’t hear from you for 6 months and recently 3 months gone, I don’t want to be made a fool, I didn’t know what you were up to, you could even had a girl friend at a time that I didn’t know about”.

He then gets upset and tells me “Ok, just forget the holiday, I’m not bothered anymore”. We are still conversing on the phone but the tone changes as his clearly upset.

We haven’t had sex in a long while, but am I being unreasonable in my demands ? I just felt a bit guilty.

OP posts:
PookieDo · 28/04/2018 23:22

It isn’t normal whatsoever and I think that you are actually very unhappy, and I know it’s been harsh words but I can’t agree with everyone else more.
You seem to have so much going for you, and your whole life ahead of you. Please don’t waste any more of your life waiting for this man, he’s not going to change and you can honestly do so much better.

A loving relationship is actually wanting to make the other person happy. It isn’t one person doing things they don’t want to out of guilt

Abouttoblow · 28/04/2018 23:25

Sorry OP but he is not your partner.
He's the father of your child.
Nothing more.

PookieDo · 28/04/2018 23:25

Your DS will be ok. He’s probably actually old enough now to work out for himself that Dad is an idiot but don’t confuse him any more with trying to glue his family back together with holidays when his dad doesn’t make any effort or show any interest. Don’t teach him it’s ok to treat people like this.
You have offered him to see DS, if he doesn’t take that offer then you need to focus on guiding DS through his life, and not relying on this man. It is very sad but a clean break for you will take all this stress and worry from you

DS Dad is like your other child. That’s not a man I would have any sexual feelings for

PringlesPirate · 28/04/2018 23:26

Can’t you do a drop off or meet at a mutually agreed place halfway?

As for withdrawing sex - he’s doesn’t have any rights to demand sex. Even if he was DP.

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 28/04/2018 23:27

Withdraw the sex immediately! It seems as though he's demanding sex in return for occasionally being a father. What a selfish bastard.

You deserve better Flowers He won't change.

Wolfiefan · 28/04/2018 23:28

He can collect. Or you can go over. But not in the house. Doorstep is quite far enough.

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 28/04/2018 23:28

You're not obstructing their relationship. He knows where DS is if he wants to see him. He doesn't. Focus on making your own life with DS amazing. You both deserve better.

PookieDo · 28/04/2018 23:31

Ditto the only thing you are obstructing is your own vagina. You are not obstructing their relationship

FermatsTheorem · 28/04/2018 23:32

Go back and read SGB's post, OP. She hits the nail on the head. You had a child at 16. I'm guessing this is the only (serious) relationship you've had, and you don't have any yardstick to measure it against, but from what you've said it looks to me like it was a highly abusive relationship, with at best sexual coercion going on (and at worst possibly rape if there were times when he forced you into sex you didn't want).

He's still abusing you, by using your desire to do what you think is right by your son (providing him with a father figure) to try to coerce sex from you. However, it's a myth that any father is better than none - this guy sounds like he is only going to damage both of you. He is no role model for your son and positively damaging for you.

I think SGB is right - you should give women's aid a ring, and maybe think about something like the freedom programme (which is aimed at women coming out of abusive relationships, to help them build the confidence to leave and stay strong away from their abuser).

ReanimatedSGB · 28/04/2018 23:34

Again: get some help/support/therapy for yourself. Go after this shitty man legally for child support but cut contact. Tell your DS, when he asks, that some people are just not very good at being fathers parents and his dad is one of those - it's important to make it clear, as far as possible, to children of awful parents, that the poor parenting is not the child's fault, and that the child is loved and lovable anyway.

I think it's quite likely that you grew up either without much in the way of family support in general, or surrounded by idiots who persuaded you that the only thing a woman needs is Her Man and that women must please and obey men. If you were my DD (I am certainly old enough to be your mum) I would have supported you when you got pregnant but would also have encouraged you to see this useless prick as a bit of a loser once he started behaving like one, and would have given you the strength to simply not take him very seriously.

pallisers · 28/04/2018 23:35

I think I just need to move on.

You do. You are stronger than you think OP. You are young and had a child very young and yet you can see that you need to move on. Well done you. Agree with others - give women's aid a ring and see what help you can get to continue your journey to freedom.

betterputsomesuncscreenon · 28/04/2018 23:35

Or you can go over If I go over, he would persuade me to come inside.

Thank you Pookie Your right, I just need to be strong and move on.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 28/04/2018 23:36

He would persuade me?
You're an actual grown up right? You say no and leave.

Cindie943811A · 28/04/2018 23:36

If he cared about your DS at all he’d get over to see him regularly and wouldn’t talk nonsense about not affording it.
Finish your studies, get a good job and move on to a better life with your DS. Leave the deadbeat behind, you both deserve better. Then find a DP who will respect you and provide your DS with a positive role model
Goood luck

PookieDo · 28/04/2018 23:37

You are strong, look what you have achieved in your life so far. DS has a role model to be proud of in you. It is not your fault his dad is like this, you didn’t cause it. But now is the time to say enough is enough. Also agree women’s aid could help you, especially through the initial stages of making the clean break.

pieceofpurplesky · 28/04/2018 23:39

You are 24. Your DS is 8. You were a young mum and it seems like you have not experienced how you deserve to be treated. Let him go and find someone who you can have a grown up relationship with - someone who loves and respects you.
Sorry if that sounds patronising

betterputsomesuncscreenon · 28/04/2018 23:44

Wolfie DS dad has a temper.... but I can drop DS off and run.

Thank you Pookie and Cindie. I’m going to talk to Womens aid and see if I can get some conselling.

OP posts:
FermatsTheorem · 28/04/2018 23:45

By the way, you are strong! Think of what you've managed. You had a child at 16 but already, at the age of 24, you are working for a masters (which presumably means you've already got a degree). All this while battling your way uphill against an unsupportive, dead-beat partner. That's a hell of an achievement.

You can do this! Get shot of the bugger and pursue him through the courts for maintenance.

ThereAreTooMany · 28/04/2018 23:47

I feel sorry for your son. It must be confusing for him.

PookieDo · 28/04/2018 23:51

I’m sure OP knows it’s not ok on DS after all I think misguidedly she’s been trying to do it for DS to have a relationship with his father. But has become somewhat of a sacrificial lamb to a very selfish man and his horrible attempts at sexual coercion.

Wolfiefan · 28/04/2018 23:51

He has a temper? As in he would threaten or physically harm you? If yes I would stop contact and seek advice.
If no. Walk away.
He sounds awful.

PrizeOik · 28/04/2018 23:51

You are "persuaded" to go inside because you are afraid of him? And then he wheedles sex out of you as well? That's called rape op.

Stop going to his house. Go after him for maintenance and cut contact. Be honest with DS that his df isn't a good parent. And move on properly.

You desperately need counselling love. With each subsequent post, it sounds more and more like you're actually trying to wind up a sexually abusive relationship that ended some time ago.

SkaterGrrrrl · 28/04/2018 23:55

'He's not your partner. He's an ex who would like a fuck from you. Please find your dignity and start protecting your son from this dynamic.'

YY to this. You have your whole life ahead of you. Run a mile from this horrible man. You deserve better.

Lunde · 28/04/2018 23:58

Your relationship is over. You are separated for 2 years. From what you write your ex puts little effort into his relationship with his son - unless he wants a booty call. It doesn't appear to be a relationship.

Is this what you want for your and ds' lives? - a man who shows little interest in your unless he needs sexual gratification for himself? Yet you appears to be saying in some posts that you would be prepared to set your sights this low

I think you need to make it clear to him that the relationship between you and him is over. You are prepared to facillitate a father-son relationship with ds but there will be no sex, no joint holidays and no playing happy families.

You need to get some counselling for yourself and learn about healthy relationships and boundaries. From your OP it sounds like you were very young when you got together - were you pregnant at 15/16?. You need to get this man out of your personal life - he is using you.

shooshoopoopoo · 29/04/2018 00:08

I agree that this man has brainwashed you since you were a young teenager.You are NOT his partner. When he says to you that you should have sex because’ You’re my partner aren’t you’ don’t say ‘am I?’ Say no I am not your fucking partner. I will not be having sex with someone who makes no attempt to be a father.
Cut off all contact with him, unless he asks to see his son’ he will never be the man you want. Carry on with your life, your son and your masters.