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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

What do I say?

12 replies

Fairycake2 · 18/09/2021 16:33

I have a pretty poor relationship with DD's dad and even after 10 years apart he still tries to control /abuse me when he gets the chance. We only speak when we have to and its only ever about DD.

I'm now at the stage with my boyfriend that we're about to introduce the children to each other.

My question is what do I tell DDs father if anything?

He didn't tell me when he introduced DD to his now wife and he never tells me where he takes her / who she spends time with even if it's a holiday. However, I don't feel this is right so don't want to do the same as him.

I have no idea how things will work out with my BF and I'm not saying we'll be together forever but I certainly know he's long term.

Do I wait until DD has met him or should I say something before?

OP posts:
notlongtillxmas · 18/09/2021 17:19

I don't think you owe him any explanation at all
Your DD will be introduced as mummy's friend - not a new daddy so I don't think it's any of his business
Be respectful , don't make any changes to access or contact or routine and keep your child as No 1 priority
Enjoy ! Hope all works out

frozendaisy · 18/09/2021 17:35

10 years apart he still tries to control you.
He'll no doubt enjoy having a go at sabotaging your new relationship if he can.

Minimal, if any, information, probably via DD, is all that is necessary.

Say nothing to him it's will only be ammo.

Hope the meeting goes well for you all.

samwitwicky · 18/09/2021 17:36

How old is your DD? I don't think you owe her father any explanation after so long apart

TooWicked · 18/09/2021 17:39

So your daughter is at least 10?

You don’t owe a controlling ex anything.

Your DD will drop into conversation at some point that she’s met mums boyfriend.

ChargingBuck · 18/09/2021 17:46

It's none of your ex's damn business, & he didn't extend the same courtesy to you - so why would you bother?

even after 10 years apart he still tries to control /abuse me when he gets the chance.

Aha. And yet you feel it "wouldn't be right" not to tell him - what do you think lies at the root of that?
Are you still subconsciously in thrall to him? Seeking permission?

We only speak when we have to and its only ever about DD.

Please, Fairycake - KEEP IT THAT WAY.
If you tell him about your b/f, he will use it against you in some way. He will feel he is "owed" information about you, & be delighted that his control over you still compels you to tell him things that are none of his business. DO NOT MAKE IT HIS BUSINESS.

If your relationship goes the distance, your ex will hear about it organically at some point. That will STILL not make it any of his business.

I'm a bit concerned about the fact that you are wrestling with this non-issue as if it's a moral dilemma. Did you have counselling after escaping your ex's abuse? Do The Freedom Programme?

If you are feeling stressed about a need to 'report' to your abusive ex, he is having too much effect on you & taking up too much of your headspace. It's never too late of too early to reinforce your sense of self & boundaries by engaging with - www.freedomprogramme.co.uk/online.php

Say nothing to him.
As & when he finds out you have a b/f - you STILL say nothing to him.
It's quite likely he will look to use it as a stick to beat you with, or a topic he can use to re-establish engagement with you.

The fact that you feel the need to tell him ANYTHING unrelated to your DD's needs means you are not quite over the control he exerted over you.
You are looking in some way to 'behave honourably', as if we can make other people behave well by demonstrating that behaviour ourselves. With abusers, that always backfires. They take your honourable gesture, twist it to their own purposes, & never reciprocate.

Resist the urge to tell him anything, it will pass ...

Fairycake2 · 18/09/2021 19:15

@samwitwicky

How old is your DD? I don't think you owe her father any explanation after so long apart
DD is 12
OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 18/09/2021 19:17

Stop thinking you owe him an explanation and stop thinking about his needs like this. Move on.

Introduce them, it’s nothing to do with him.

Funnylittlefloozie · 18/09/2021 20:15

My exH felt the need to tell me about his new girlfriend. I could not have been less interested!

I never said anything to him about who I was seeing, because I didn't see it's any of his business. However, he put pressure on DD to tell him, and then used that information to send me increasingly nasty texts about my behaviour, my morals and god knows what else. DD still feels guilty about being manipulated by her dad...

FWIW, my advice is still not to tell him, until he asks. Yes, you are seeing someone, no, its none of his business, no, he is NOT to push DD for information.

Peace43 · 18/09/2021 21:01

It’s none of his business who meets your DD when she’s with you. I get on fine with my ex and only knew he actually had a girlfriend when DD told me E had joined them for donuts on the weekend. It’s no business of mine. I didn’t tell him about my boyfriend but I assume DD has mentioned him.

Fairycake2 · 18/09/2021 21:14

Thank you all. Clearly I still let him have too much input into my thoughts and I definitely need to stop that! I shall take on board all that has been said and have decided to tell him nothing. If DD mentions it that's fine but I won't specifically tell him

OP posts:
billy1966 · 19/09/2021 08:17

Agree with above.

NONE of his business and tell him so if he attempts to imply it is.

Tell him nothing.
Flowers

SunshineCake · 19/09/2021 08:20

Not sure if right but I'm wondering if you should talk to your dd about the fact her dad will grill her for info about mummy's private life.

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