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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

Useless ex "co-parent"

4 replies

FAOJFOA · 02/06/2018 17:43

Struggling a bit with how to cope with useless ex.

Ever since I got pg with DS (6) ex-P has been a useless piece of shit. We split when DS was a baby. DS lives with me all the time.

We get on as friends - when he's being ok he's ok - but only because I accommodate his behaviour as some help is better than zero.

I do 99% of childcare. DS lives with me. I earn all the money, exP can't work (MH illness / physical health issues & complete uselessness) or contribute. I do all the cooking, all the organising, all the shopping, carting about, tidying, cleaning, DIY etc etc. Basically everything.

ExP is a glorified playmate who uses his illness as a convenient excuse to turn up only when he wants to. He's genuinely ill some of the time, but because he's also a lazy git this means a lot of the rest of the time he doesn't turn up.

I have no family nearby and being a fairly isolated LP life is lonely. In some ways I rely on him for company but am sick of being constantly let down by him. Oversleeping, can't be bothered to get in contact.

Usually late, to the tune of several hours. Completely unreliable.

I'm trying really hard to detach but it's hard without any other support (I also need to work as much as poss when I can). I can't make any plans to go out because I never know when he will be available. I maybe get one night out every three months.

I'm just frustrated to hell that he does sweet FA and gets to completely dodge any responsibility around actual parenting, a fair-weather parent.

I'm trying to balance between getting on for DS sake and needing a little help (however useless) as I am otherwise without any support, and increasingly frustrated by his complete inability to be responsible or available even when he's not properly ill.

Any advice welcome...,

OP posts:
Fishface77 · 02/06/2018 23:28

Can you go home near your family for support?

Nellia · 03/06/2018 06:56

Okay confused. Your ds sons dad doesnt live with you snd you are not together but you expect him to do housework ect to help you out?

Seems like a high expectation.

If he or you had another partner would you still expect him to help you with shopping and DIY?

Really it should only be about splitting time between you both where he cares for your son on his own. If he is incapable of that due to health conditions then visitation.

If he doesnt arrive when hes supposed to then tough, he waits untill the next scheduled contact time. Despite not working he should pay child maintainance from his benefits. Thats it.

Seek additional support elsewhere and stop blurring boundries.

lunar1 · 03/06/2018 07:00

What are his illnesses?

LiteraryDevil1 · 03/06/2018 08:56

Welcome to single parenthood Hmm I don't get why you expect him to help you out either when you're not together anymore.
I suggest you get a court order in place for contact so that it's regular, predictable, fair and gives your child continuity. Having been through the court system this is what judges deem best for the child.
I really don't understand people who moan about lack of contact between the non resident parent but don't do anything to make concrete arrangements for their children (unless it's not in their best interests for contact to take place.
I'm cranky with PMT today but woman up OP and ensure your child gets the contact with him they need and deserve.

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