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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:
GinThereDoneThat · 29/04/2018 00:09

I agree with @PookieDo, this is sexual coercion and manipulation. Other posters are being a bit harsh really if they can't see it's obviously had effects on your self esteem and confidence. I really hope you can find the strength to put your foot down OP, let him have his temper tantrums and just walk away because you don't owe him shit. Thanks

Fromage · 29/04/2018 00:09

What is normal in a parent whose child doesn't live with them, is to bend over backwards to spend as much time as reasonably possible with their child. Not to lose interest in their child when the child's other parent doesn't comply with sexual demands.

And if he has anger issues, can you trust him with your child, even?

It sounds like he's been utterly vile to you, OP, and I think the suggestions of seeking advice and counselling from Women's Aid are very wise.

Ellie56 · 29/04/2018 00:16

Agree with everyone else on here. He is not your DP. He is a knob and a useless shit dad.

Ring Women's Aid and cut this loser out of your life. You and DS are worth so much more.

PickAChew · 29/04/2018 00:20

You don't have to have any sex that you don't want.

PookieDo · 29/04/2018 00:20

OP, if he wants to see DS then he should only do it on the terms you set out, as you do seem to be trying (as like today, you haven’t actually given in but you feel guilty about it)

I’m a single mum, and it sounds like you have been for a couple of years now too. When people split they usually come to regular arrangements and this would either be neutral point halfway, he collects your child or a friend or family member mediates. You can choose any of these things. You can also choose to say no to anything he demands if it’s not in DS best interests. You can choose to let him take you to court for access. You can choose to stop making all the effort to make this work. This is your life and you get to choose.

BlytheByName · 29/04/2018 00:40

Gosh he sounds vile. (The man who is not your DP).
I bet he's not paid any maintenance for his DS has he?

Seriously, walk away and give your DS a fighting chance not to turn into a mini version of his horrible father.
You are worth more than this.

Starlight2345 · 29/04/2018 01:05

You are still under his spell. He moved away so if he wants to see your Ds then he collects him from somewhere near your home . I would have collection in public. We are living in times where women feel they have to bend over backwards to ensure that children have a relationship with Dc. Where is his effort . My ex wanted to see our Ds after we split . He was only interested in seeing myself and not his Ds. It sounds same situation here.
You have no idea what a normal relationship is . This is not it . Do the freedom program. From now on refer to him as ex because that is what he is.
You and your Ds deserve better

springydaff · 29/04/2018 01:26

What do you mean he's got a temper??

KittyKattyKoo · 29/04/2018 02:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Cawfee · 29/04/2018 02:28

He moved 2 hours away from you. He’s not your DP! It’s your body. You don’t have to have sex!! If he wants sex to see DS then that’s like prostitution! He’s treating you like a free prostitution. It’s not normal, not right and not acceptable. He can see his DS without you being involved. This guy is not normal. He’s not a good person and he’s not a good father. Get rid and stop talking to him! If he wants to see his son he can make effort

Shoxfordian · 29/04/2018 07:24

He's not a good person for you or your son to be around. His views on sex are not ok and you need to make it clear to him that you've broken up and you're not interested in sex.
His entitled behaviour to sex doesn't sound to me like a man who respects women and your son needs good role models in his life. I don't think your ex partner is one.

Penfold007 · 29/04/2018 07:50

Your ex partner is using coercion to get you to have sex with him. Sadly he isn't interested in having a relationship with his son. You need to protect your DS.
Cut contact with your ex, which shouldn't be difficult. If he doesn't pay maintenance then start a claim via the CMS. If he wants contact with his child then he can go to court and you can both have it formalised. Concentrate on being a mum and doing your Masters, don't risk getting pregnant by him.

LizzieSiddal · 29/04/2018 08:04

You should tell him

  1. You will not be bring your Ds over to his house. That it is up to him to come and see your son. If he does come over you will meet him at a cafe or somewhere so he doesn’t have to come to your house.
  1. You will never have sex with him again.

Just keep repeating these two things to him. Don’t let him persuade you to do anything else. He is a terrible father and partner and you are both better off without him.

betterputsomesuncscreenon · 29/04/2018 08:12

Thank you everyone. Some of your comments were harsh to hear but I needed the reality check.

I admit, I am finding it difficult to let go of him as this is the only relationship I’ve been in and we were together for a very long time time. But I need to let go for DS’s sake, his dad is not a good role model and like other posters have pointed out, I don’t want to risk DS ending up like him.

Yes, I’ve finally receive child maintenance from DS’s dad, through the Child Maintenance Service. It’s not a lot of money but at least it’s something. I did tell DS dad that he needed to provide more money, on top of CM, as £30.00 a week isn’t enough.

OP posts:
BrownTurkey · 29/04/2018 08:26

Your boundaries were in the correct place when you said he could arrange to pick ds up from your sisters. Try to just send brief messages, you don’t need to talk directly and you don’t need to respond to anything unreasonable. Concentrate on your ds, being neutral to him about his Dad, but letting him know Dad unfortunately can’t see him often. Keep going, you are doing well realising him for what he is. You will build a much better life without him.

Figgygal · 29/04/2018 08:31

Wtf he basically will only have a relationship with your child if you shag him?

Namethecat · 29/04/2018 08:36

As your 24 and your son is 8 it obviously means you had him when you were 16. My point to that is from the age of 16-24 you have matured and your ex has not. He probably sees you as the 16 year old he could pressure into having sex whenever he felt like it. You have had 8 years to mature into the woman you are today. He is not worth the hassle, and if he has not been in regular contact with his son, including providing for him, perhaps your son is better off without him until he realises that contact is not also an expectation of sex.

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