Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

STBXH won't see our DCS at Xmas cause he is going to GFs instead

87 replies

PinkSimba · 30/10/2024 21:09

There is of course a load of backstory to this but I will try and keep it short.

In the summer, H left me with no warning. Since then, he seems to have had a personality transplant. Overnight, he went from being a man who wanted to spend as much time as he could with family to only seeing the DCS on Saturday mornings and one evening a week. He also introduced his new GF at the worst time and was surprised they didn't welcome her with open arms (but that story could be a whole other thread). He wants to give me anything I want money-wise but seems desperate for the divorce to go through and keeps offering more and more things to me but then gets annoyed that I want them in writing because he "just wants everything done".

Before we even had the DCS, we have always spent Xmas morning opening presents at home and then go to ILs for dinner with his family.

During half term, the DCs normally make their Christmas lists, and then we choose some things off the list for family and friends to buy, some things for me and H to buy, and some things from Santa. We have done this for the last 5 years when the eldest was old enough to understand Xmas.

So H messaged me at the beginning of half term saying that I should message him one thing the DCs want that he can buy, and then he will send me money for Santa presents. I agreed and then asked him what his plan was for Xmas. He didn't reply.

So the other day, I picked up the DCS from PILS (H is kind of living there), and he met me at the door, which was already suspicious cause normally he just lets the DCs out, and I don't see him.

He had me sit next to PILS, and he explained to us all that this Xmas, he would happily see the DCS during the day on Xmas Eve, but he would then be travelling to spend the rest of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at GF's parent's house. He won't be returning till late December.

I asked him what about our DCS and he said they'd be fine. He will take them on Christmas Eve for a few hours "extra" to let me get some things done. He then launched into an I shouldn't expect everything to be the same lecture.
I pointed out that I didn't expect it to be the same, but I was expecting him to see his DCS.
I assumed that I'd have them in the morning, and he would take them to PILs for dinner, and they'd come back when they were ready.

He then started to get arsey saying that any other parent would be thrilled to have all of Xmas, and I need to see that he has two families now and it would be unfair for him not to see GF and her DCS, and he has already promised them he will be there.

PILs then got upset, asking him why he was acting like his family didn't exist. He blamed their upset on me. I just said goodbye, got the DCs, and went home.

Since then, he has messaged me to say that this is the plan and he won't be changing it, so we all need to accept it and move on.

I am so annoyed at him; it's like he has become a completely different man in the last 4 months. How can he want to spend Christmas without his kids? Normally, he loves Xmas and watching the kids’ open presents, going to ILs for his mum's roast, and seeing his siblings and their families. I keep thinking how upset the DCs are going to be when they don't get to see him, and that's before they find out he is spending it with the GF family. I keep trying to think of ways I can get him to see them, but I doubt they will work because he has made up his mind, and these days, he doesn't seem to care what anyone else says. He's just convinced that everything he says/does is right.

OP posts:
HermoinePotter · 30/10/2024 21:20

I wouldn’t be bothering trying to get him to see the children, although it must be incredibly hurtful. I’d be making sure he told them this years plans, if that’s what he wants to do then he tells them. I’d concentrate on making Christmas Day lovely for you all. Can you arrange to take the children to see their DGC over Christmas so they still see them? I also wouldn’t be going out of my way to communicate with him and he’d be buying his own Santa presents to give to the children. My friend is going through something similar at the moment and it’s heartbreaking to watch how some men can give up on their children overnight.

Stormyweatheroutthere · 30/10/2024 21:22

Take the win... No more sharing dc when the fancy takes him. Offer up set times that suit you. Claim cms and see him when Hell freezes over. Honestly dc will get over that loser quicker than you think...

F40ish · 30/10/2024 21:23

This sounds awful for your DC but I don’t see how you can make him change his mind. You just need to focus on making it the best day you can without him.
My ex does want to see our DC on Xmas day & it breaks my heart not to spend all day with them but I know it’s for the best.

LifeD1lemma · 30/10/2024 21:27

I’m so sorry. You must be so disappointed for your DC. Thank goodness they’ve got you, and they will have a lovely Christmas.

If he’s not going to be at your PILs, would you be comfortable going there with the kids in the afternoon? If that’s been your usual tradition it might be nice to keep it going this year, and would minimise the change.

Definitely don’t bother trying to persuade him to change his mind, or make any effort to accommodate him whatsoever. He’s shown where his priorities lie and he doesn’t deserve you or the kids.

Snugglemonkey · 30/10/2024 21:32

His loss. It is up to him to manage his relationships. You just concentrate on being the stable loving parent they need.

Nicebloomers · 30/10/2024 21:34

He’ll never get this time back with them so more fool him. I’m glad his parents are unimpressed with him. If I were you I’d just enjoy not having to hand them over to him, there isn’t a lot you can do except embrace the extra quality time. The kids will be hyped up about presents and I doubt they’ll be bothered. You’re bothered on their behalf, I totally understand. They deserve better but you can’t do anything about him being a crap dad I’m afraid.

Raindropskeepfallinonmyhead · 30/10/2024 21:35

Fuck him op - he has made his bed, he can lie in it - let him tell his own children that they won't be seeing
him - he can suffer the consequences. 2 families now? What a prick saying that to you.

Edingril · 30/10/2024 21:36

You can't dictate what he does, for the children it would be good if he saw them but he can't be ordered around like he can't do that to you

Businessflake · 30/10/2024 21:38

Absolutely his loss. Unfortunately you have the difficult job of supporting your children through their realisation that their father doesn’t give a shit about them.

BirthdayRainbow · 30/10/2024 21:39

My kids are young adults and last Christmas was the first since we split. He didn't ask if he could come and see them open their stockings and gifts. Shitty presents from him.

Try and reach acceptance that he is a twat, you focus on the kids and make a nice Christmas for yourself and the kids. Ignore him as much as possible. Maybe invite the PIL to you if you're still close with them.

Bunnie007 · 30/10/2024 21:44

Enjoy your day with the children. He has obviously already and continues to make some very poor decisions that do not put his children first. Continue to make them your priority. I would organise some therapy for them (your school may be able to help you with this, or you should get him to pay!) To support them through this. If you’re not already I would try and get some talking therapy too, to help you process this huge loss- as you say he has literally changed as a husband and father! Why his new partner would want a man who will happily not see his own children who knows but I pity them both. Focus on your children and having the best day you can with them. Don’t ‘beg’ him to do the right thing, he doesn’t deserve your time and your children don’t deserve this treatment from him or him being with them wishing he was somewhere else!

rainbowlou · 30/10/2024 21:47

Arrange a lovely Christmas for you and your children.
Forget him and ont even engage anymore about it, your children will see for themselves how selfish he is and it’s his loss.
My ex did the same to our dd, when his relationship fell apart he tried to come back running to her and she told him where to go.
He hasn’t seen her for years now and missed out on so much.

CagneyNYPD1 · 30/10/2024 21:53

It is absolutely his loss. On every level.

His own parents can see exactly what he is doing. They must be heartbroken at his actions.

His own dc will know that he spends so little time with them. But you can not force him to step up for his dc.

I don't want to upset you @PinkSimba but is there possibly an explanation for this? Is the GF pregnant? It would explain why he is talking about having "2 families now" and trying to rush you on the divorce.

NotMyMonkeysCicus · 30/10/2024 21:55

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Justkeepingplatesspinning · 30/10/2024 21:57

He's still in the needing to be the good new boyfriend to the new woman.
He also might want to do it completely differently and not be with his parents etc.
It doesn't sound as though he told his parents his plan before he told you - he told you all at the same time. That meant when his parents got upset, you were an easy target to blame.
Neither of these things take away the hurt that you're clearly feeling on behalf of your children. You were prepared to not see your children for part of Christmas day to maintain traditions. In time he will hopefully realise the upset he's caused.

Alwaystired23 · 30/10/2024 22:00

Well, it's disgusting behaviour on his part. Of course, he wants the divorce sorted ASAP, so he can move on with his "other family." What an absolute knob. I don't think there's much you can do to make him change his mind. Could you still take the dc to your in-laws?

RobinEllacotStrike · 30/10/2024 22:03

Gosh some men can only focus in the direction their penis points them. So sorry for your DC. How disappointing he turned out to be.

I'd take the DC shopping at charity shops for him - make it a fun game.

Seriously though this is his loss. And while your DC will feel it, the fact is their relationship with their Dad is really up to their Dad, and if he fails them its HIM that is failing his kids, not you.

Focus on being their amazing Mum & having a wonderful Christmas Day together. In time all falls into place and you can't protect them from their relationship with him, and getting to know who he is.

Do get a lawyer, do get everything in writing. He might change soon.

Might his GF be pregnant - hence the rush?

DeepRoseFish · 30/10/2024 22:07

He sounds disgusting. Get as much as you can from him financially and leave him to get on with it.

NoNoNadaNo · 30/10/2024 22:09

My dad did this to me when I was 9. In my mid 30s now, and can never forget how he made me feel. I don't know if he realises it, but it made me incredibly loyal to my mum from that moment on.

stichguru · 30/10/2024 22:17

Awful - but to be honest if he doesn't want to see the DCs at Christmas and doesn't care that they'll be upset he isn't seeing them, it's probably good he isn't.

Mumtobabyhavoc · 30/10/2024 22:20

Get a good lawyer. Now.

Nothatgingerpirate · 30/10/2024 22:23

Yet another dickhead 😡

fashionqueen0123 · 30/10/2024 22:25

PIL sounds decent. I’d spend the day with the in-laws if you wanted to - if you don’t usually spend it with your own family and would have done that anyway. Then your kids will have lots of family around.
They can they ask daddy why he wasn’t there and I would let him explain.

HappyHedgehog247 · 30/10/2024 22:29

His loss! Enjoy your day with your children and have it exactly as you want. This year will feel odd however it went down- at least he won't be playing happy families with your children at his new girlfriend's!

Rainbow1901 · 30/10/2024 22:29

OP with the help of your children create your own new traditions. If that means seeing Santa on a train trip followed by afternoon tea or inviting the GPs to yours for Christmas Day or going to the Christmas Kids Service on Christmas Eve - it doesn't matter. The thing is to make this Christmas different. No harking back to what you used to do when your exDH was around - that is gone and in the past so leave it there and look forward to the present.
Don't do anything for your exDH - he tells his own children that he won't be around and he buys their gifts. He is still their dad so step up and act like one - even if he will be absent. He can see them on Xmas Eve (and give his presents to them) as he suggested and you can be ready when they return to start your new Christmas - have activities planned if it's not too late because they may possibly feel upset but try not to let them dwell on it.
He is trying to push his agenda on everyone - his kids, his parents and you! Push back - don't be rushed into making decisions just because he is in a rush for whatever reasons he may have. You follow your own agenda and in your own time. It won't be easy OP but you have your kids and if his agenda doesn't fit with yours well too bad!!