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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

AIBU to consider this a crossed line?

14 replies

LinenBox · 06/05/2018 22:23

Very long story short: abusive XH currently not seeing our two DC. I’ve told him to seek a legal arrangement. There’s many reasons for this but one of my issues is that he keeps introducing them to every new GF (8 in the space of 2 years) he meets before the relationship is properly established. Some of these women are well known drug and alcohol abusers (small town, everyone knows everyone).

For a time, I was working with his sister to help him be a better parent. Ultimately it didn’t work because she has no real influence on him and actually panders to his shitty parenting. We had some harsh words at the time I finally stopped contact.

She recently got back in touch asking if she could see the DC and I think I surprised her by saying no problem. She assured me that XH wouldn’t be there however, they came home and told me not only had he been there, he’d brought along his new girlfriend. She made out like he just turned up (public place) but he messaged me to say ‘thanks for letting me see them’ so I think it may have been arranged.

My trust has been breached. Even though I promised ex-SIL that I wouldn’t stop them having a relationship, I feel like a line has been crossed and I should say no next time she asks. I don’t want her to act as a back door to access, I want him to get a proper court order. Just wanted to check what others think of this? I know I’m going to be enemy no. 1 all over again but I’m sick to death of these people walking all over me.

OP posts:
Gemini69 · 06/05/2018 22:30

Damn right she crossed a big fat LINE of trust ..... and I'd be telling her so.... Flowers

maymai · 06/05/2018 22:43

Will a court order his contact to be just him and no future gf though?

SomeKnobend · 06/05/2018 22:44

Yanbu at all.

AnneLovesGilbert · 06/05/2018 22:47

Don’t wait till next time.

Tell her now that she’s massively taken the piss and abused your trust and goodwill, you’re angry and she can arrange to see DC with ex IF and then he gets court ordered contact.

Protect your children. She’s a liar and you don’t need to have anything to do with her.

sockunicorn · 06/05/2018 22:50

huge line been crossed. definitely no to the exsil as their safety is clearly not her top priority

RainySeptember · 06/05/2018 23:09

Can you dictate who he introduces them too though? Would a court say that he couldn't introduce a new gf?

When you say thatsome of his gf are alcohol or drug abusers what do you mean?

Someone who regularly binge drinks on a night out and has been known to smoke weed quite different to someone who abuses harder drugs and is a functioning alcoholic. I suppose what I mean is, is the issue his string of new gf or do you think your dc are in danger?

Gemini69 · 06/05/2018 23:17

Keep your kids Safe OP .. let Him go to Court and arrange contact Flowers

Sparkles1992 · 06/05/2018 23:17

If she wants to have a relationship with them, tell her she'll have to come to your house.

RainySeptember · 06/05/2018 23:21

Would you let him see the dc if you were present?

It's not that easy to go to court, my bil has just done it. It cost a lot and he ended up representing himself. I can see how, if you can't afford a solicitor and lack the confidence to represent yourself, it would seem insurmountable.

Your sil is out of order, absolutely. What on earth did she think would happen when you found out.

Gemini69 · 06/05/2018 23:41

If she wants to have a relationship with them, tell her she'll have to come to your house

yip this is an good option.. given time Flowers

LinenBox · 07/05/2018 00:47

Thank you everyone for offering some different perspectives. I want to make sure that I’m acting fairly and considering their viewpoint.

My issue with his girlfriends is that my dc get attached to these women (the nice ones anyway) but then they’re suddenly out of their lives after 1 - 4 months. My youngest cried when he broke up with the last one. One girlfriend, after two months of being introduced to them, suddenly left to go to rehab. I just don’t understand why he don’t wait to find out if it’s going to be a long term thing before introducing them. Also, given the state of his relationship with his dc, I think the last thing he should be doing is introducing another person. Our eldest daughter dislikes him intensely and refuses to see him at all. This weekend he had to pay her a £1 to cuddle him Confused

I haven’t come to the decision to stop contact lightly and it’s taken me 4 years of trying before putting my foot down. We had a social worker briefly and I was criticised for being so lax when it came to his behaviour. However, they blame me completely and think I am unreasonably withholding contact.

OP posts:
RainySeptember · 07/05/2018 07:47

I'm sure you didn't reach the decision lightly, and he sounds like an absolute idiot. I completely agree that it's unwise to introduce new partners too quickly.

But, honestly, I don't think the legal system would support you on that. I think you are absolutely banking on him not having the wherewithal or cash to go to court, because in the absence of neglect or danger I suspect he would gain access.

Is there a middle ground you would consider? I am thinking really about what he will tell dc about you withholding contact when they are older, what his family might tell them. It sounds like he wants to see them, given his text.

Mind you, he'd still be seeing them now if he'd been sensible about introducing them to his many gfs, I do realise that. Could you bear to find a middle ground do you think?

LinenBox · 07/05/2018 16:33

The girlfriend thing is the tip of the iceberg really. It might not matter to a court but it matters to my dc. In any event, the exposure to porn and numerous instances of neglect coupled with his outright flakiness when it comes to contact might be viewed more seriously by a court.

My ideal outcome would be that he gets his act together and starts being the parent our dc deserve. I’m desperate for a break and I was happiest when they were going EOW so I got some time to do things for myself. Unfortunately his effort only lasted until he realised I wasn’t going back to him.

I have tried everything I can think of to get him to realise what he needs to do but nothing changes. My only option now is to have a family court decide. Maybe he’ll listen to them. It’s not ideal for me either - I will have to self represent also so my sympathy is limited to be honest.

OP posts:
Gemini69 · 07/05/2018 16:38

You're doing brilliantly given the situation OP... your deep concern for the welfare for your Children is apparent fair and balanced...

I'm sure whatever decisions you reach will be the right ones Flowers

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