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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 should I do

15 replies

Lost734 · 06/12/2023 12:46

I split with my ex when I was pregnant because I didn’t love him anymore, we have never been together since our child was born 5 years ago. We have always done things as a family unit like going on holiday just the 3 of us, days out, I go to family events ( I don’t get on with his family I just want to be there for my child), popping to his on a weekend so we can spend time just the 3 of us, he takes me to work because I don’t drive, I sometimes ring him on my break for a chat, he helps me with things if I need some advice or help. I think he might now be in a relationship and these things are slowly stopping. I don’t want to be with him because I don’t love him and I have moved on myself. I can see why things should change and we have got things planned for Christmas so it’s not all stopping but I do feel this might be the last event we go to but I just want my child to be happy. How can I get over losing a best friend?

OP posts:
RatherBeRiding · 06/12/2023 12:50

As long as you still co-parent effectively I don't see why your child wouldn't be happy - I wonder if he's been willing to be the spare part all these years because he didn't really want to split and now he's found a new relationship he is focusing on that.

AnneLovesGilbert · 06/12/2023 12:51

The same would likely have happened if you were in a relationship first. Or are you?

PaminaMozart · 06/12/2023 12:53

Who else is in your and your child's life? Focus more on them and also try to find new friends and support networks.

It's natural that he wants to move on and you need to accept that.

Lost734 · 06/12/2023 12:55

Yes I am in a new relationship myself. I think he has been frightened incase I stop him from seeing his child again because I have before but I had my reasons for this. My child loves us doing things together and it’s nice for both of their parents to share them special moments as a family

OP posts:
Lost734 · 06/12/2023 13:43

@PaminaMozart

My child has family and friends so we aren’t alone. We have moved on because I have a new partner and I think he has too. We have that bond because we have a child together

OP posts:
Sexlivesofthepotatomen · 06/12/2023 13:48

Lost734 · 06/12/2023 12:55

Yes I am in a new relationship myself. I think he has been frightened incase I stop him from seeing his child again because I have before but I had my reasons for this. My child loves us doing things together and it’s nice for both of their parents to share them special moments as a family

Why did you stop him from seeing his child?

sunflowertime · 06/12/2023 13:51

Depending on your reasons for stopping him seeing his child, it sort of sounds like he had to be on call for you otherwise he risked not seeing his child. Fear will do that. Maybe it's a best friend relationship for you but for him it was a case of doing what he had to do to ensure he saw his child. He's waited a long time to move on and probably terrified to tell you

Pinkbonbon · 06/12/2023 13:57

I think its nice that you co-parent so well together and consider him a best friend.

Perhaps in time you could meet his partner and he could meet yours and you could all be friends and take holidays together?

Of course atm if he's in something new he needs to step back from you a little in order to be respectful to his new partner. And I think its safe to say the you and him alone holidays need to end. But id maybe have a chat with him along the lines of

'Hey so, I consider you my best friend did you know that? And I'd love to meet your new partner whenever you're ready, if it gets serious. So we can put her mind at ease and maybe one day we can all hang out like one big family. If you guys are OK with that of course. But I understand that you néed to step back from doing some things we we normally would like the holidays, out of respect for her. Whatecer happens, I'm cool with it. Just so long as you always prioritise our child as she deserves the best from both of us'.

Lost734 · 06/12/2023 14:17

@sunflowertime It was for personal reasons I don’t really want to go into on here. He has had a girlfriend before but he was told she was not allowed around my child because she isn’t a very good mother

OP posts:
Lost734 · 06/12/2023 14:20

@Pinkbonbon Thank you we have done what is best for our child. I don’t know who it is though so I can’t judge if I would want them around my child. I don’t think I would want them special moments with another person there who hasn’t got that bond. I know my partner isn’t interested in going out with us. I agree the family holidays to stop but everything else has worked well for us

OP posts:
Pinkbonbon · 06/12/2023 14:29

Well there's nothing to say she is like the last woman tbf. It would be good if you could meet her before she starts spending too much time with your child of course. Perhaps suggest to him that if they become an item, you all go out to to lunch and meet? Just as a one off even, so you can put eachothers mind at ease.

As for 'everything else has worked well for us' you have to bare in mind how it will look to her if he's always over at yours helping you fix a light bulb or getting you groceries in. You have your own partner for that. So you need to be respectful of her too.

PaminaMozart · 06/12/2023 16:11

He has had a girlfriend before but he was told she was not allowed around my child because she isn’t a very good mother.
I don’t know who it is though so I can’t judge if I would want them around my child.

I'm sorry but it isn't up to you to decide whether your Ex's partner is 'allowed' to see your child. One of the first principles of positive co-parenting is that you have to accept that this is not your call.

Unless someone is abusive or there are other huge red flags you have to suck it up and be cooperative.

Burntouted · 06/12/2023 19:16

This post is coming across as if you still want to be with him, and don't want to stop reaping the benefits and resources he's providing you with. Phone calls, support, driving you to work, visits, time spent together, etc...

You allegedly have moved on..but

You wrote about how he's trying to be more respectful towards the dynamics and his relationship by trying to set boundaries....

but you aren't even doing so in your new relationship. You aren't acting appropriately and being respectful of this new person and relationship.

You're too invested in his personal life. I feel like he needs to go to court to solidify legally his rights and visits as a parent.

He is frightened that you will stop him from seeing his child because you have done so in the past for perhaps petty reasons ...when he gets in relationships and stop doing for you....you perhaps become bitter, threatening and jealous..and use the child as a means to stay in and control him.

He is allowed and entitled to move on. You are too. This is sounding like you haven't moved on. Everything is fine and you're happy ...until he gets into relationships and try to establish boundaries.

Unless there is a legitimate reason with evidence of him being an unfit parent in any way...there isn't much you can do about who he has around the shared child.

Soo..he can't do the things that you're probably doing..but you can?

You

You never said that he was a bad father, and incapable of good judgment when making decisions about the child.

Trust his judgment.

If he has made poor judgments in regards to the women he associates with and allow them to hinder and influence his parent making decisions in a negative harmful way if you have evidence, speak to an advisor or courts.

You two need to change in the ways of co parenting, and strictly parent. What you two are doing isn't working out. There is too much confusion and not enough boundaries placed. It's okay for your child to know that you two aren't getting back together and to show them a healthy separation.

The ringing of each other and discussing general non related to parenting things, should end. Only ring if it strictly about the child. Maybe texting would be more appropriate. Find other methods of commuting to work, decline offers and don't ask him to be a mode of transportation.

The spending a lot of time together probably should end. Every once in awhile a holiday such as Christmas can be spent together, as long as it's a gathering..not an intimate setting. No more weekends spent together. Just meet up in public to exchange the children.

Have the visits without one another.

If you two are still involved sexually, that should stop.

It doesn't make you three less of a family with boundaries in place. .to parent without being in each other's presence.

Your child will still thrive..hopefully happily.

The both of you, if parenting style not corrected and the lines continue to be blurred...will send your child mixed signals, and the confusion and thwarted optimism may lead to depression ..their mental health and well being affected.

Please dismiss the new relationship and person..
If you haven't truly moved on, please learn to do so..perhaps therapy would be beneficial.

Never use your child as a pawn.

Burntouted · 07/12/2023 17:50

Also...Keep playing these games, behaving like this, trying to control and dictate things, and you could easily loose custody and perhaps visitation.

Please also improve as a person and parent. You have no right to call people that you don't know a bad mother...especially when you prevented your child from having a father when you were upset and saddened that he was in a relationship.

MMadness · 08/12/2023 04:58

So, as long as he's doing your bidding he can see his child?

You don't actually get to tell him who your daughter sees when she's with him, at all. Whatever your personal perception of them is.

That's just ridiculous. I'd have skull dragged your arse to court for 50/50 for that bullshit.

I can't get past that.

I think it's best he cools down on your 'best friend' relationship because it appears more toxic and control based.

Kids aren't weapons.

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