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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

Should we spend Xmas with EX-PILs

11 replies

ThedishranawaywithOW · 28/09/2019 18:20

Long story but I will try to keep it as short as possible

H left me 8 months ago, after a lot of confusion it turned out he had met another woman and he moved into PILs. For the first few months he was going back and forth between me and the OW. So if he argued with her he would hang around our house and he would act like nothing had happened we even slept together a couple of times. But if they were in a good place he would be pretty cold and distant with me and would only really want to see the DCs.

He then moved in with OW for a bit, then they started arguing so he moved back to PILs. Then he got a place of his own and now he is talking about moving in with her again.

In some ways he has been good since he left, he pays over the odds for the DCs and he is still paying the bills for the house. He does see the DCs regularly however where and how long he wants to spend time with them usually depends on whether he is with OW or not.

Recently I have woken up and realised what he was doing and that ultimately he just isn't the same man I loved and so I have been keeping our communication mostly civil and DC based and I am trying to move on and not just letting him have it all his way.

Throughout this PILs have been great. They allowed H to stay with them but made it clear that his behaviour disgusted them. They have told him when he has over stepped the mark (for example when he wanted to introduce the OW as his friend to the DCs a couple of months after we split up). MIL was the one who told me he had OW initially because H wasn't going too. They have checked on me to make sure I am ok and they have been great with the DCs

Even before we had the DCs Christmas day was always the same, we wake up in our house and open presents. Then we go to my dads and open presents/ spend time with him till the early afternoon. Then we go to PILs and have Christmas dinner, open presents and play daft party games till bedtime.

I have always loved doing Christmas with them especially as my own family Christmases were rubbish. So PILs felt like a proper Christmas day that most people enjoy.

I hadn't given any thought as to how we would be spending this Christmas till MIL visited a couple of days ago and asked what I was doing. I told her I didn't know. So she invited me and the DCs to spend Christmas at PILs house. I asked her if she had asked H and she said she had not but that she wanted me to know that it was still an option and that they would love to have me there.I said she should ask H about his plans first and we could go from there.

Today H picked up the DCs with MIL and said that he thinks that actually he will probably be spending Christmas with OWs family. His plan was to visit the our house early Christmas morning and then travel to the OWs family and spend Christmas with them.

I was a bit annoyed that A. he was making plans abut visiting with out asking me and B. he would want to spend most of the day with a family he barely knows rather than his own DCs who will miss him and want to know where he is. H didn't seem to bothered and said that that was his plan and we could talk about it closer to the time. MIL then said that the DCs and I were more than welcome to spend Christmas with them. They then took the DCs out and H didn't mention anything again when he dropped them off.

Now I am torn on what to do. On the one hand the DCs love Christmas at the ILs. They are adopted so disrupting their routines tends to cause even more problems than usual and they have already had so much upheaval. Plus I also really enjoy Christmas there and I will also probably struggle to let it go.

But on the other hand is it not really odd to spend the day with my EXs parents. I am worried that it might be a bit awkward and uncomfortable for everyone there. Plus H doesn't think he will be there so the DCs might be upset or confused that he isn't at his parents house at Christmas.

Also an added complication is that H may well be in a totally different place with OW when Christmas comes around so he might not go away with her after all in which case we would be in PILs together on the day which will be awkward for everyone involved though I would be willing to suck it up to make the DCs happy.

I just can't work out what to do for the best anymore.

OP posts:
Bucatini · 28/09/2019 18:25

It's up to you of course, but actually I think that could be really nice for you, your DC and your PILs.

ScarlettDarling · 28/09/2019 18:25

It's an awkward one. Why don't you hold off making any decisions until closer to Christmas when everyone is more certain about things. If your ex is still heading off to spend the day with his new girlfriend and her family then why not spend the day with your ex in laws? Yes, they your ex's parents but they're also your children's grandparents. They sound great and they clearly still want to have a good relationship with you so why not?

Jesse70 · 28/09/2019 18:26

Just go it sounds like they really like you and want to spend time with their GC
And u like them so why not

Apolloanddaphne · 28/09/2019 18:29

Ever since my DB and his ex-wife split up we have had his ex and my niece for most Christmases. I have not spent a single Christmas with my DB for almost 20 years now but have had many with his ex. I adore her, my DB not so much!

LoreleiRock · 28/09/2019 18:34

It is not odd at all, they are family. They may not be your actual family, but it is clear that they love you and view you as part of their family.

Cauliflowerpower · 28/09/2019 18:44

They love you and their grandchildren, you and they like them too. You all have fun. It sounds nice. Do it.

meccacos2 · 28/09/2019 20:00

Your PIL sound absolutely lovely.

You are very lucky to have them.

Spied · 28/09/2019 20:05

Go.
You haven't done anything to warrant not going and nor have your DC.
Whatever he decides is up to him.

Inish · 28/09/2019 20:14

Is there any chance that xH will turn up with OW? Have the children met her yet? What is their relationship is over do you want to spend the day with xH and his DPs?

Does this set a precedent?

Could you do xMas - invite PIL to yours?

Grambler · 28/09/2019 20:23

I'd have to give MIL a "yes but" answer. Say you'd love to come, but you would not want to end up spending the day with your ex and his OW so could you give her a definite answer nearer the time when he has finalised his plans. Then even if he's single you can still make new plans at yours.

Do you want to start having Christmas at your house? Do you see yourself going to MIL's next year?

LtJudyHopps · 28/09/2019 22:29

The first year my parents split up (I was 19 brother was 11) my mum came to my paternal grandmothers for Christmas with my family. It was probably a little bit awkward but was nice. I think it would be good for your DC this year. Who knows what place you will all be in by next Christmas so go for it!

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