Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

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:
PinkSimba · 30/10/2024 22:30

Thank you for your replies.
I'm just so sad on behalf of the DCs. Hopefully, the younger two will be too distracted by Christmas Day fun, but I know the eldest will be upset.

To answer a few questions, He pays me well over what CMS would. He keeps throwing money and assets at me to try and get me to agree to a divorce, and he keeps saying we could sort out the rest between us. But I just don't trust anything he says anymore, so I keep telling him to put it in writing.

The older DCs are in therapy through the school and have been really understanding through all of this.

It's also possible that the GF is pregnant; he would probably deny it if I asked outright, but it wouldn't surprise me. I'm pretty sure she was the OW he keeps denying it, but they seem to be moving very quickly. Plus, I'm fairly sure that when he doesn't have the DCs, he isn't actually living at ILs, but I've got no real proof, and he will just deny it, so I don't bother asking.

He seems like a totally different man from the one I knew just a few months ago. If you'd told me this time last year that he wouldn't want to see the kids at Christmas, I'd have laughed and said you didn't know him at all, but here we are.

OP posts:
BirthdayRainbow · 30/10/2024 22:33

Regarding making it different. My eldest said he didn't want to do the usual stocking photos on Christmas Eve. My youngest said we all know mum did it all, he just took the photo so he still wanted to do it, my daughter the same. When int came to it the eldest joined in too. I said all along I was still doing it for whoever wanted to. I wasn't prepare to abandon it. Why should we? I love my album of Christmas Eve photos from babyhood to now.

It is all about familiarity for the kids that gives them security, it won't be look what you're missing.

ChampaignSupernova · 30/10/2024 22:34

Don't fight him on Xmas. Instead create a new tradition for you and the children and ask him if this is his proposed set up every Xmas. He should have checked with you before confirming plans with the gf but as he isn't arguing the kids being with you take it and run with it! Just say to the kids Xmas day will be you and them and distract with how they want Xmas to look this year and try get them involved in creating new traditions.

I assume the gf was also the ow. Believe he is the person he is showing you he is. Any memories of him being a good dad or partner are in the past. He is showing you what he values most and it isn't your children.

BirthdayRainbow · 30/10/2024 22:35

You need to file for divorce. Money has to be sorted by the solicitor and potentially a judge so it is irrelevant what he is offering. It's not for him to offer but take it in case he'll change his mind, gets his new piece of skirt in his ear, or hides assets.

lavenderlou · 30/10/2024 22:39

Sounds like he's being defensive because he feels guilty. You can't control what he does so make the best of the parts you can control and try to plan a nice day.

happinessischocolate · 30/10/2024 22:41

My x did this, in the 20 years since we split up he's had numerous girlfriends, and numerous "new families" putting some random woman and her kids first.

He now wonders why the kids rarely phone him and don't make an effort with him 🤷‍♀️

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 30/10/2024 22:44

He is an absolute horror for cheatingBUT I agree with him - I'm so jealous. My ex is trying to take our little boy away from me to spend Xmas with him and his new gf and he gives me nothing financially above the child maintenance minimum. I would much rather be in your position.

CrispieCake · 30/10/2024 22:45

Honestly... I understand it's all still fairly raw but my advice would be to get as much money out of him as possible while he's in the mood to give it to you (this might not last) and use this year to set a precedent that the kids stay with you at Christmas going forward.

Clearinguptheclutter · 30/10/2024 22:46

He’s just awful.
his loss
i deep for you having to deal with the fallout
but if the in-laws are on your side is there still an option to go to theirs? It’s not their fault he’s clearing off. They and your DCs are still entitled to see each other

best of luck for a speedy divorce OP

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 30/10/2024 22:46

CrispieCake · 30/10/2024 22:45

Honestly... I understand it's all still fairly raw but my advice would be to get as much money out of him as possible while he's in the mood to give it to you (this might not last) and use this year to set a precedent that the kids stay with you at Christmas going forward.

THIS
Otherwise he'll be taking them to her house next year

Wolframandhart · 30/10/2024 22:48

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.

This. If thats what you want.

i also though gf was pregnant they way he wants everything rushed.

OhcantthInkofaname · 30/10/2024 22:50

Make sure everything regarding the divorce is in writing. You need to make sure your children continue to have a relationship with their grandparents without him in the picture.
I hope you have family to see you through. It seems certain that OW does not want to have anything to do with his children.

Tittibits · 30/10/2024 22:50

It’s his loss not to prioritise his children.

You need to accept he is now not the man you knew. I can never get over how easy it is for some men people move on in days. This is what he has done. Any chance she was pregnant when he left? Get everything sewn up tightly with a hard faced divorce lawyer. He won’t always be so generous!

Enjoy your Christmas, expect nothing from him and look to the future.

TheSnugHare · 30/10/2024 22:51

I feel angry reading this

Pinkelephant66 · 30/10/2024 22:51

He has been with a woman for 4 months and he’s already prioritising her and her children over his own? What a cunt.
if he tried to dictate having them next year id tell him to fuck off!

TheSnugHare · 30/10/2024 22:53

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 30/10/2024 22:44

He is an absolute horror for cheatingBUT I agree with him - I'm so jealous. My ex is trying to take our little boy away from me to spend Xmas with him and his new gf and he gives me nothing financially above the child maintenance minimum. I would much rather be in your position.

Don’t let him. Lie if you have to

MrRobinsonsQuango · 30/10/2024 22:54

@PinkSimba weird and slightly mad question but her children aren’t his are they? The relationship has moved at speed so l bet she’s the OW. Or yeah she could also be pregnant. So he would most likely want the divorce finished ASAP. I vote bleed him dry and have a lovely christnas with your children

Sickdissapointed · 30/10/2024 22:55

It is utterly amazing how quickly men ( and maybe women) can move on.
My ex went from never getting married again and never having more children to being married again with 2 more children.
My daughter and I were utterly dumped.
He did try to do the deed with me while his then GF was in hospital having both children. What a rat. Glad to be out of it.

Pieceofpurplesky · 30/10/2024 23:04

I was in this situation 10 years ago. It was hard but I worked to make a new normal for Christmas - and you know what? It was great. We started with a special Christmas Eve new tradition of a book and had hot chocolate and read, before PJs and movie. Christmas Day was very chilled - full on M&S Christmas Lunch, my parents and lots of Lego building. No having to host exh, DSC, his parents, brother, girlfriend as well as my own parents (4 is much easier than 10!).

He hasn't seen his son for 4 years at all now. You can't put any of this on you - these are his decisions. I hope that you manage to get some headspace soon.

Sassybooklover · 30/10/2024 23:08

Firstly, my immediate thought was, is the girlfriend pregnant? If he's throwing money/assets at you because he's in a hurry to divorce, then it's a distinct possibility. Secondly, whatever money/assets he's throwing your way, make sure you get confirmation in writing, because over time, he may not be so generous. Don't try and change his mind, that's a waste of time and energy. Don't you be the person to tell your children, Daddy won't be seeing them over Christmas, tell him, it's his responsibility to do that. Try and make plans for you and your children, go and see your PIL, if that is something you feel comfortable doing. Start divorce proceedings now, whilst your husband is feeling generous and things are reasonably amicable between you. If he wants a speedy divorce, then get as much as you can, make sure contact arrangements for the children are in place and break free from him.

CagneyNYPD1 · 30/10/2024 23:15

In all honesty, who cares where he spends Xmas? Who cares if she was the OW and is pregnant?

He has made his choice very clear. He had shown you who he really is. Get a good divorce lawyer on your side. Divorce him but not to his timescale.

Put you and your dc first, every time. He won't, the fucker. Use his rotten behaviour to fuel your anger and take him for every damn penny you can.

CagneyNYPD1 · 30/10/2024 23:17

Oh and the best thing is, your lovely dc won't have to suffer spending Xmas with him and her. They will be with you; safe, loved and cherished.

StormingNorman · 30/10/2024 23:23

He’s one of those. The woman he’s shagging and her kids will always come first. This woman, the next one, the one after that…

Some men move on and don’t like to be reminded of their mistakes. New woman is a new chance to get it right.

I’m sorry OP. He’s an absolute dickhead.

PinkSimba · 30/10/2024 23:46

Thank you for all your advice.
I don't know if spending Christmas Day with PILs would be an option. They have other kids and GCs going to theirs, so inviting them here isn't an option.
I guess if they invited me, I'd probably end up going for the DCs. I'm not sure if that would be awkward though.

OP posts:
AmberAlert86 · 31/10/2024 06:37

Sickdissapointed · 30/10/2024 22:55

It is utterly amazing how quickly men ( and maybe women) can move on.
My ex went from never getting married again and never having more children to being married again with 2 more children.
My daughter and I were utterly dumped.
He did try to do the deed with me while his then GF was in hospital having both children. What a rat. Glad to be out of it.

Let me get this right - he propositioned you (twice?) whilst his new partner was in hospital giving birth??
He's sick