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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

Vicious comments from ex to dc

16 replies

Viciousx · 28/12/2022 23:57

Hi, background is me and exH split nearly 7 years ago, very acrimonious, he cheated numerous times, final straw was when it was again when I was pg with our youngest and we split then, divorced the following year. As I said, not been great, he chopped and changed contact (we have 3 dc) messed maintenance about etc and also likes to bad mouth me and my husband (married 3 yrs together nearly 5) to the dc. I never rise to it, just make ‘oh really’ type comments if they say things and say that it’s not nice to be nasty about people if they’ve said he’s called one of us a name etc.

We now only communicate via email so there is a trail of everything he says, he used to phone saying horrible things to me so I won’t put myself in that position anymore. He currently has the children every other weekend, no contact in between that, never asks how they’re getting on in school, never wants to attend parents evenings or school productions, poor daddy would love go but is always too busy they tell me blah blah blah.

Anyway, the point of post, me and DH have an 8 month old baby, she has recently been diagnosed with a medical condition, she’s had two short hospital admission’s and we’re getting our heads around it all and explained to the children in children friendly ways (on advice from the doctor how best to explain). So the children have obviously mentioned this to their father (who again had nasty things to say about our baby when I was pg with her) because yesterday my sweet little 6 yr old says to us all ‘I know what we can call 8 month old we can call her medical condition name baby’. I was gobsmacked, I told her it wasn’t a nice thing to say and who on earth had said it to her? She looked upset and said ‘daddy said it’ my two elder dc were there at the time and neither one of them said that he hadn’t both just stood in silence. I did get very upset and told her that it was a horrible thing to say and daddy was very nasty for making fun of a baby who is unwell.

Then tonight I’ve checked my 12 yr old ds phone as I do periodically and he’d sent his dad a meme type video of a man having no money when he had a wife but loads when he’s single and captioned it ‘like when you were with mum’ and ex has agreed. This would tie in with my youngest telling me a few weeks ago that daddy said I took all his pennies when he used to live with us because I didn’t work so had none and took his.

What do I do? How do I stop my children being told this stuff? Can I refuse him contact? Making fun of a sick baby is just vile and all the rest I’ve just had enough.

OP posts:
Viciousx · 29/12/2022 00:00

I didn’t realise using stars would bold the words, what I meant was she said “l know what we can call ‘8 month old’ we can call her ‘medical condition name’ baby”

OP posts:
VioletLemon · 29/12/2022 00:06

Totally unacceptable on every count. Get some legal advice, you can't go on like that. He's being abusive to your children, gaslighting them and trying to control and isolate. He sounds horrific. I'm sure legal advice would help you formalise boundaries for his behaviour and regain your control. 💐

Itisbetter · 29/12/2022 00:37

No advice, but that is truly vile. I’m so sorry. I think I’d talk to school and see if someone there a give a talk about people first language.

Gronkle · 29/12/2022 01:06

Tell ex he'll now be forever known as "cheating lying bastard dad" unless he changes his attitude.

Gronkle · 29/12/2022 01:07

Gronkle · 29/12/2022 01:06

Tell ex he'll now be forever known as "cheating lying bastard dad" unless he changes his attitude.

I know this is awful advice btw, lol. I just couldn't resist.

MoreSleepPleasee · 29/12/2022 01:20

Gronkle · 29/12/2022 01:06

Tell ex he'll now be forever known as "cheating lying bastard dad" unless he changes his attitude.

Yep, this and don't feel bad about it.

AgentJohnson · 29/12/2022 05:33

I can understand your upset but you know your ex is a twat and as awful it was to hear your youngest parroting your Ex’s twattery, it wasn’t her fault. Likewise your 12 year old wants his father’s affection.

Now you know what type of poison is being fed to your children by their father, it is time up your kindness teaching game.

W0tnow · 29/12/2022 06:55

Say to your 12 year old: “I’ve made a point of never badmouthing your father to you, ever. I know it’s too much to expect the same from him. I can’t control what he says to you behind my back. Even if it is lies. I can’t control what YOU say about me behind my back, either. Even if it extremely hurtful. But if you think you’re clever enough to send a meme like this, you’re clever enough to know my reaction to it. I’m disappointed in you, and I feel incredibly hurt.

Maintain your dignity. Set an example of what it is to NOT be an arsehole.

12 year old kids do dumb things. I get he was trying to ingratiate himself with his dad. But that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be ashamed of himself.

I think you know you can’t cut contact with his dad. Of course you can ask him to stop dripping poison in their ears, but he probably still will.

LBFseBrom · 29/12/2022 07:15

What Gronkie said.

Fireflygal · 29/12/2022 08:39

You won't be able to change your Ex and your oldest is at the age where his input counts so legally you couldn't stop contact.

Your only chance to change this is through talking, especially your eldest. He is definitely old enough to understand bullying. As other poster said. You have to reflect how disappointed you are with him.

Do your children get on OK with step dad? I suspect the new family setup has allowed Ex to create a divide (him & children) against you, your new husband and baby.

Hopeyoursproutsarealreadyon · 29/12/2022 08:45

My further dc was born with a medical condition and my exh told our dc my dc was disabled because I was evil. They were scared to look at my beautiful baby..
Utter cunt.
He died recently and it was a weight lifted.. Parental alienation is a crime now op. Seek legal advice. Sadly your ex is also a cunt. But you know that already.

category12 · 29/12/2022 08:47

Absolutely shower your dc with love and attention. It must be a hard time with the new baby and her health condition, and sadly bastard-ex will make a wedge if he can. You can show your hurt, just make sure it's obvious you know the source is not really them.

BlackFriday · 29/12/2022 09:07

I think @W0tnow's suggestion is good. Your 12 year old is also old enough to be told the actual situation re: money as well. I couldn't allow that misrepresentation to stand.

Enko · 29/12/2022 09:19

W0tnow · 29/12/2022 06:55

Say to your 12 year old: “I’ve made a point of never badmouthing your father to you, ever. I know it’s too much to expect the same from him. I can’t control what he says to you behind my back. Even if it is lies. I can’t control what YOU say about me behind my back, either. Even if it extremely hurtful. But if you think you’re clever enough to send a meme like this, you’re clever enough to know my reaction to it. I’m disappointed in you, and I feel incredibly hurt.

Maintain your dignity. Set an example of what it is to NOT be an arsehole.

12 year old kids do dumb things. I get he was trying to ingratiate himself with his dad. But that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be ashamed of himself.

I think you know you can’t cut contact with his dad. Of course you can ask him to stop dripping poison in their ears, but he probably still will.

This is excellent advice.

Op i doubt you can get much done about this as sadly it is low level. However discuss with a solicitor and keep a record every time something happens.

Keep the communication open with your children but do so in an age appropriate way.

Is there any support groups for your youngest medical condition if so see if they have support for siblings to understand and digest.

Ladyoftheprom · 29/12/2022 10:02

W0tnow · 29/12/2022 06:55

Say to your 12 year old: “I’ve made a point of never badmouthing your father to you, ever. I know it’s too much to expect the same from him. I can’t control what he says to you behind my back. Even if it is lies. I can’t control what YOU say about me behind my back, either. Even if it extremely hurtful. But if you think you’re clever enough to send a meme like this, you’re clever enough to know my reaction to it. I’m disappointed in you, and I feel incredibly hurt.

Maintain your dignity. Set an example of what it is to NOT be an arsehole.

12 year old kids do dumb things. I get he was trying to ingratiate himself with his dad. But that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be ashamed of himself.

I think you know you can’t cut contact with his dad. Of course you can ask him to stop dripping poison in their ears, but he probably still will.

This

Aubree17 · 29/12/2022 13:09

Do absolutely nothing.
Ignore every single dig and insult he makes.
When the children repeat something nasty be the perfect role model.
"It's not nice to call the baby that" but ignore the source of the comment.
One day they are going to look back and see what a dick he was.
For now focus on being the perfect role model. You seem to have been through a lot with him but have moved on to a better life.

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