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Long apologetic email from ex then nothing

28 replies

SparkleRoses · 28/09/2026 13:38

Some advice please. My ex hasn’t seen our children in 3 years, he stopped because I would no longer allow contact in my house, I told him he could take them to his or take them
Out but he didn’t want to so he just stopped coming, he was having £7 week maintenance taken out of his benefits for them. In may he got back in contact with a really long email saying how sorry he was for the way he treated them and that he should not have stopped seeing them, I responded and he said he wants to pay maintenance every month and he will pay it every month and if he can’t he will contact me in advance to explain why. He did this for 4 months then just randomly stopped, I haven’t heard from him since either. This was nearly 3 months ago now and he hasn’t paid since or been in contact. Would you say anything? I think it’s best if I just leave it but wondered what others think. (Btw he is earning an income but not declaring it thats how he could afford to send extra he is not relying solely on benefits) I don’t need the money and don’t rely on it it isn’t about the money I am more wondering if he should get away with thinking this is ok or not, and what happens if he contacts again in another few months or a year with more excuses?

OP posts:
Hatty65 · 28/09/2026 16:22

SparkleRoses · 28/09/2026 16:01

But if he contacts me again im expected to respond again like it’s ok to keep doing it?

Expected by whom? Him? He's lost all right to 'expect' you to do jack shit.

Just ignore. I wouldn't respond again now, no matter how many times he contacted me.

MagicUser1 · 28/09/2026 16:26

SparkleRoses · 28/09/2026 16:19

He said he would like to see them again in the first email, but it never got that far. (I wouldn’t have just arranged contact straight away afyer 3 years absence)

Yeah, i think you posted about it then?

You didn't organise for the kids to see him - well done. He has proved to be as flakey as expected.

Who knows why he suddenly got in touch. I'll still put money on him feeling guilted by someone or something. But it doesn't matter. if he fofers to pay again in the future, take the money. But this is another reason why no, if he does reappear, he can't see the kids.

SparkleRoses · 28/09/2026 22:19

Hatty65 · 28/09/2026 16:22

Expected by whom? Him? He's lost all right to 'expect' you to do jack shit.

Just ignore. I wouldn't respond again now, no matter how many times he contacted me.

Some people have told me I should respond if he emails again so I can prove to my kids I kept the door open and he can’t say I didn’t stop him from seeing him but it’s mentally exhausting having him pop back up whenever he feels guilty

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