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Step-parenting

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This is never going to end. Having to consider leaving boyfriend to protect my children from his ex.

114 replies

ThisMustBeMyDream · 05/11/2020 22:02

There is so much back story.

This thread gives a sense of the issues if you want more background www.mumsnet.com/Talk/stepparenting/3549889-There-goes-our-easter-holiday.

Yesterday accusations were made against my children. My biggest fear came true. I have spent over 3 years of my relationship terrified of this moment. I knew that mum was capable, but hoped that time would help allay whatever was going on in her head.

Now I'm having to consider if I can continue in my relationship because I don't think my children can have any more contact with partners child.

My partner had a phone call Tuesday from social care. Mother made an allegation against one of my children, of which I'm sure you can guess the nature. Luckily for me and my partner, I have never allowed the children to be alone together. They are always supervised when here (we still don't permanently live together - he maintains a separate property) because I needed to protect my children. We both know the allegation to be untrue because the children are not left alone (which is exhausting, but I felt necessary until the mother was more reasonable - which I had hoped time would bring).

I had a social worker visit yesterday, who concluded that she had no concerns that anything had happened. She spoke to the children. She was very nice and reassuring. All well on my front. Her investigation will be completed within 3 weeks, other than a safety talk to my children so they can tick a box there is no further follow up. Report will state children are safeguarded by each parent, no concerns.

Child has been medically examined. No concerns there either.

The child is 3 (almost 4). They have repeated an allegation to the social worker - but we don't have the full story still. Social care is in two authorities. My authority told me one version, the childs authority told another version. Childs authority was asked today to confirm allegation, but they said they weren't sure yet and they were still trying to find out what it was from the child Hmm.

Partner was told he can still maintain his contact, but until my authority send their report, child should not come here. Fine by us both. Social worker reports back to mum, no concerns, dad to maintain contact in his property until report is through.

Of course, mum refused. Said no contact at all. Made further allegation that child is now saying daddy tells her not to tell mummy things (again, untrue).

It is exhausting. This mother will not rest until she has what she wants. She plays a long game. She bides her time. This is a child who is not quite 4. This will be the 4th application to court (2nd enforcement, 2 previous child arrangement applications). Me and my children are now being made in to her collateral damage.

I can not tell you how angry I am that she stooped this low. I knew it was possible, but did not believe she would go this far to try and stop contact.

If this had not affected my children, I would be able to tolerate the situation. But now my children have been targeted, I don't think our relationship is tenable. I can step back, we have our own property. The children can be kept separate. But, I just don't think that is a life I want to lead. It is incredibly painful to find myself here. I know couples do do this when children are involved. But for us, it doesn't feel right.

I can't see a way through this. My children will suffer both ways. Obviously they could suffer more if further accusations were made. But should we go our separate ways, my children will have the only male role model in their lives taken away. He enriches their lives incredibly. He has been there for them for 3 years. They are only 7 and 5. They don't remember life before him. He has enabled them to take part in extra curricular activities (I couldn't do it without his support), he has enabled me to change my job to be there for them more by providing childcare at unsocial hours, he has taught them through lockdown and beyond (he is a primary teacher). He is a father figure to them when their own father did not want to be. Even my oldest child (18) has had his life improved by my partner being present and thinks highly of him, despite the teenage years being one of the most difficult times to consider blending a family. Had he not reacted well to him, then we wouldn't be here over 3 years later as again, my children are my priority.

I feel sick. I will always put my children first. But this feels so incredibly wrong. All my children are going to suffer either way now, to varying degrees.

I guess I don't really need advice. Just understanding and a little moral support. I'm just so bloody angry.

OP posts:
sassbott · 06/11/2020 12:22

Yeah, tried reporting to the police here.
They were intensely sympathetic. But when children are involved, they view these as matters for the family court. Basically a judge has to put in an order, with a penal notice against it that the police can then enforce.

They will not get involved. And this cannot be proven as malicious. If you go to the police with an allegation like that, the burden of proof lies on you. You have to provide evidence that proves a person has deliberately acted with malicious intent.

In this scenario, the child has stated the allegation directly. Police will categorically not get involved.

madcow88 · 06/11/2020 12:49

Firstly I would like to add I am so very sorry for what you are going through.

Please please do not leave a happy relationship for this woman.

I advise your DP to go to the police and report his ex wife. I know for a fact they will take this seriously it sounds like his ex wife has munchausins by proxy (sorry for the spellings) I also advise that your DP gets evidence of all the allegations and fake illnesses, take it to his solicitor and go to court next time his DD is in his care and request an emergency residency order.

This poor child needs protecting and soon. Please don't let her win continue your lives separately as you are currently as your children will miss out on having a posistive male influence.

As PP have said obviously your children's safety abs well-being is important to you and you have protected them OP! But not it's time to protect your DSD.

Please PM if you need to chat 💕

MeridianB · 06/11/2020 12:55

So sorry for your terrible experiences @longcoffee and @sassbott.

And @ThisMustBeMyDream I am sorry your are all in this awful situation. You’ve had some fantastic advice and insight here from people with experience of this or similar and I really hope it helps.

I feel very sad for his toddler having such a wicked mother. ☹️

Longtalljosie · 06/11/2020 13:00

If you stay in this woman’s orbit, one of your children may risk not passing an enhanced DBS check. I’m so sorry she has ruined your relationship. I am sorry for him too. But one of the things about having an abuser in your life is accepting that you do and that you can’t hope for the life without the abuse. You need to either settle for two households permanently with the 3 year old never seeing your children, or a clean break.

Sunnydaysstillhere · 06/11/2020 13:09

What would happen if he went for full custody with his ex having small amounts of contact? Her mh needs bringing to the table imo.

Viviennemary · 06/11/2020 13:10

It might be worth seeing your GP and saying how much stress this is causing you and your children. I don't see why you should need to end the relationship but I think you need to avoid all contact with the child between you and your children for the time being.

Ihaveyourback · 06/11/2020 13:10

End it.

This is not about her winning, but the wellbeing of your own children!

It must have been a terrifying and confusing experience for your children, and even done gently they will have understood something deeply scary and serious was going on. What if a mistake had been made and they found the allegation to be true? It could have the most enormous consequences for you and your children op.

No man is worth this.

She will dream up something else next month, and the month after that. There is nothing to be won by sticking it out in the most vile toxic game of oneupmanship that amounts to child abuse (of her own children)
How disturbed do you need to be before you resort to something like this?

I would finish it and never look back, this could ruin your children's lives even if it does not end up in the courts or in prosecution of some offence or another.

Your bf is lumbered with her, but you are not. Leave and don't go back for your children's sake. This relationship has no future in my view, the sacrifices are just too high, there is too much at stake.

cartedorwhore · 06/11/2020 13:13

You're doing the right thing by prioritizing your children's emotional health.

RuffleCrow · 06/11/2020 13:13

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Ihaveyourback · 06/11/2020 13:14

I would tell the SW that you have grave concerns for the child in question and the mental health of the mother, and confirm you are splitting up because you no longer wish your children to be exposed to this kind of thing. Ask them to take care of the dsd, so you can leave the situation without guilt or worry.

Bollss · 06/11/2020 13:15

@RuffleCrow

3 year olds don't just make these things up. It's physically impossible to stare at your children from morning to night to make sure 'nothing happens'. And the fact that you were doing so in the first place suggests you had reason to suspect something might. It's no way to live and you have to shit, shower and go on MN like everyone else. I don't blame her mother for taking it seriously.
are you being serious? i assume you didnt read the ops past thread. i remember it from when she originally posted.

What a vile accusation to make.

Ihaveyourback · 06/11/2020 13:18

I second the pp that the mother should be investigating anything that she is concerned about with her dd3 and she was right to do this, however op might find that there is another concern, and one after that - how can you live in the shadows of her next move, she will be living in fear. Her children will be at risk.

Given the investigation did not expose any concerns, I would be minded to leave it there and get out of the situation now.

Keratinsmooth · 06/11/2020 13:19

Is the ex wanting no contact for her DC with your partner or to break you up? Does she want him back?

The time line suggests that you and your partner were together when the DC was pretty much new born, could that have triggered this behaviour? Does she feel wronged by you and/or him?

I would not see the child anytime soon, make a decision on the relationship in the new year.

Viviennemary · 06/11/2020 13:21

If this woman has made this up then I'd say she is capable of anything. I'd be concerned for the child's safety too. She needs to be stopped or this could end in tragedy.

ThisMustBeMyDream · 06/11/2020 13:36

@Keratinsmooth I have posted previously, but their situation was that they were dating for 3 months, she fell pregnant. The relationship never established. She didn't want him as a live in partner. It just all fizzled out in early pregnancy after she stopped agreeing to any plans together/seeing each other. It is all documented in the s7 report, both parents have the same story about their relationship.

I met him when their child was 4 months old. She had a new partner who she moved in when their child was 1 month old. They are no longer together as of last year, but he was presented to the child as daddy and the child was encouraged to believe that. There were the usual things like calling her partner daddy, telling her that my partner was called by his name, not daddy that new partner was the real daddy etc. Again, it is all a very long story.

OP posts:
ThisMustBeMyDream · 06/11/2020 13:37

I don't think she cares whether she breaks us up. She wants minimal (or no!) contact. That is her sole aim.

OP posts:
empiricallyyours · 06/11/2020 13:42

I too would distance and live separately until it's all died down, you must be exhausted with worry and of course, your children must be protected at all costs.

However, putting myself in the mum's shoes, this child is 3 and you've been together 3 years, so your relationship was started when this child was a tiny baby, or at least in the child's first year. Your partner really should have been busy parenting and not out finding someone new. I wonder if the mum's clear mental health issues might stem from that? I don't think her behaviour should necessarily be excused, but a relationship break up is difficult at any time and when caring for a baby, I imagine it must feel catastrophic in terms of fear of losing financial and emotional support from the other parent. PND could be a factor. She evidently feels that you have the life she wanted with him and is lashing out (wrongly), but some understanding of how she must feel might help.

Back away, so that she can't damage you and your family further and hope in the meantime she finds someone supportive and nurturing to share her life with. Once she has peace in her own life, she's far less likely to want to damage yours.

empiricallyyours · 06/11/2020 13:46

Apologies I've just read your update, so some of mine isn't relevant

ThisMustBeMyDream · 06/11/2020 13:48

@empiricallyyours, see above. I wish it was the case, as it would be understandable.

I am also a single parent from pregnancy so have been through my own battles and challenges. I would have absolute empathy if any of your post was the reality of the situation.

The reality is that she wanted another baby (she has another child with someone who has no contact with the child) and she hoped she would get that from my partner - and that he too would walk away so she could have her 2 kids to herself. Her behaviours make all this quite obvious, unfortunately.

OP posts:
Tiredoftattler · 06/11/2020 23:20

Does it really matter how wonderful you all may be if the situation is not working well for everyone involved.

If he is a great partner, it just may be that you should separate your love life from your family life.

It is obvious that living together is going to be problematic, not only for your children but his child as well.
You can have a relationship with him and he need never see your kids and you need not ever see his child.

You can compartmentalize your life or you can move on to a different life. His child should not have to lose contact with her father so that your children can have a father figure. Your children should not have to risk involvement with the legal system so that you can have the partner of your choice. Sometimes, life just does not provide the options that we would prefer, but we have to then adapt.

If you have had several partners in the past, you know that you are capable of loving again. Your children and his child ,however, only get 1 childhood and they should not be put at risk to satisfy your or your partners love life.
This is not being child centric ; this is just responsible parenting.

SandyY2K · 07/11/2020 01:14

No but not every thread has to be met with a chorus of support. As long as not name calling or abusive then in spirit of discussion to be able to express a non supportive view.

I agree.

It's been 3 years on tenterhooks and living in fear. It's no way to live.

It's very sad indeed, but protecting my kids from this would be my first priority every time.

@Magds72

I hear what you say about it being women who seem bitter and nasty like this.... and reading MN you wouldn’t think they're are so many bitter Ex DHs that are nasty.

Sadly when men are bitter...it can be way more dangerous and end fatally.... they hate that their Ex has moved on... they hate another man seeing their kids more than them and they are filled with jealousy and rage and a refusalto accept it's over.

SandyY2K · 07/11/2020 01:28

The reality is that she wanted another baby (she has another child with someone who has no contact with the child) and she hoped she would get that from my partner - and that he too would walk away so she could have her 2 kids to herself.

She should never have told him she was pregnant in that case, as she just wanted a sperms donor. Then she could have split up with him after she had conceived.

lunar1 · 07/11/2020 10:48

All the other details aside, she has made serious accusations against your children.

None of the other details would matter for me. She has done something that if continues could have drastic effects on your children's futures.

The only way this relationship could continue is if I could guarantee absolutely zero contact under any circumstances between the children or you.

Is any of this worth to potential damage to your children? I couldn't bring this into my children's lives. People in general believe the sayings 'no smoke without fire' and 'mud sticks'.

macncheeses · 07/11/2020 10:57

The relationship you have with this other "family" ( sorry, for want of a better word) is toxic.
It doesn't matter how much you love this man, your children come first. You need to protect them and run away like the wind from this situation. Distance yourself from them all.

LatentPhase · 07/11/2020 13:35

@ThisMustBeMyDream

I can understand your anger, after the relationships which have blossomed on your side of the fence. But it’s no good chasing after ‘what might be’. That way lies madness.

As positive an influence as he is on your kids, your DP brings toxicity. As long as you attempt/try/aim to blend this is a ‘no win’ all round.

Yours - is a relationship with limitations. Best to accept that now, and live a peaceful life.

FWIW me and DP never blend finances and kids fully as there is toxicity (elsewhere - with his dd). That’s something I’ve accepted. And felt happier since.

Time to accept the situation, draw up the necessary boundaries and move on. In whichever way is best.

Flowers
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