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Step-parenting

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DP says I don't spend enough time with his kids

125 replies

calmingspace · 15/04/2022 12:30

Been with DP for 12years, lived with him for 6, he's the non-resident parent and sees his kids at the weekend and holidays, (now 17 and 22) he's never let them down and always been they for them, first few years with him, he kept me at arms length with the kids, and I saw them when he decided, that's fine, whatever worked for him, but if I was to go out with friends whilst he had his kids overnight, he would be very jealous, so I found myself not going out to avoid arguments around who I talked to etc ...when we did move in together I already had stopped doing hardly anything with my friends and even family, he would say I should be spending my free time with him and his kids if an event came up where I was invited, even though I only went out once or twice a year, that was even too much and he would tell me not to get drunk and ask me what time I would be home and if I wasn't on the dot he would be calling me and shouting getting mad as he can no longer trust me, I have never cheated, or even wanted to, so I have pretty much spent all my weekends with his kids, I'm not a natural with kids, but I am friendly and have always been kind and helpful with them both, his children are entitled but I think that comes from having both parents fight for they love, and spoil them rotten as well as let them get away with pretty much everything, that's mostly my DP, my issue is am I allowed to not do stuff with them at the weekend? As now 17, 22, can I plan things myself now, I only want to do the odd thing, maybe once a month, without been told I'm not putting the family first, when I have said I would like to do something at the weekend he views it as I don't want to be apart of his family, and tells me he doesn't want someone like that!
He's still married to his ex, who when I met after 5 years told me they are not divorced as they might be getting back together! So she hates me as we are still together and makes sure the kids know it 🙈

OP posts:
Mogul · 15/04/2022 12:32

So what are the good points of this relationship?

SalsaLove · 15/04/2022 12:35

Leave him
Find your independence
Find your self-worth
Allow yourself to have a better life than this

calmingspace · 15/04/2022 12:36

I am having trouble with that lately, as I think I've got myself boxed in and I do what I can to please his moods, I feel im living his life with him, not our life together, I know I have abandonment issues, as my dad left when I was very young and hardly had anything to do with me, so think im holding on to him tighter than I should

OP posts:
Krakenchorus · 15/04/2022 12:38

He's a lying, cheating, controlling twat. You should leave and allow yourself to rediscover your friends and your self-respect.

All that rubbish about 'family' can be ignored. It is only one small excuse for his abusive control.

huuskymam · 15/04/2022 12:40

He's controlling you. Now that his kids are adults they won't want to be spending every weekend with him. He'll think of another reason why you shouldn't be doing what you want.

Kpss1235 · 15/04/2022 12:41

He sounds awful, seriously consider leaving and yes definitely do what you at the weekends.

aSofaNearYou · 15/04/2022 12:42

Wow OP, he is an absolute controlling prick and has been from the start. And he's not even divorced? He has the gall to say HE doesn't want someone that doesn't meet his standards, as though he's the prize?

I think you need to get to grips with your abandonment issues because you should have kicked this arsehole to the curb long ago.

cansu · 15/04/2022 12:42

You need to stop letting him control you. Of course you can plan and do whatever you want.

MzHz · 15/04/2022 12:43

He’s done a right number on you!

Move out and dump him

cansu · 15/04/2022 12:44

Next time he says he is unhappy with your plans tell him that he is right and you should separate as you want different things.

RagzRebooted · 15/04/2022 12:48

He can fuck off.

calmingspace · 15/04/2022 12:51

I have spent a lot of time with his kids, and I know that their mother is not kind about me, as the kids are always cold towards me, I am always pleasant, never have I said a cross word to them, but they do keep me at arms length, my DP says it's me whose doing that and I need to try harder, like I am never good enough after all these years. He says I do not do enough, I think back to all the weekends I've spent with them and don't understand why he thinks that, his daughter bf is now coming along to things as my DP likes to take them places still, this means I have to go in a separate car as not enough space in his car, and travel an hour somewhere to meet them there, when it should be as easy as I won't go on this one, I suggested that but no he said he needs to see me make the effort!

OP posts:
OhLordyWhatNow · 15/04/2022 12:53

What a controlling arsehole he is!

Do you own a house together or rent as joint tenants?

You need to extricate yourself from this relationship before his kids are no longer coming round and you become his sole focus.

Do you work? Some workplaces have employee assistance schemes where you could seek counselling for yourself and also advice about domestic abuse

Getyourarseofffthequattro · 15/04/2022 12:54

Run for the bloody hills. He's controlling you, this is not okay. You deserve so much more than this Flowers

WakeMeUpWhenTheyHaveGone · 15/04/2022 12:55

Leave him ASAP.

And he hasn’t even bothered to get a divorce after 5 years!!!🚩

He’s been able to treat you this badly because you have allowed him to do it and get away with it by staying.

Please get some therapy and build up your confidence.

His children are adults now - ridiculous expectations re. you to give up your social life to spend more time with them with no life of your own. He ‘thinks’ he’s got you exactly where he wants you.

Get a job if you haven’t already got one, stay with family/friends and/or contact a women’s refuge charity.

Run, bloody run (let him know that his ‘thinking’ was wrong) 💐

ExplodingCarrots · 15/04/2022 12:55

This is absolutely nothing to do with spending time with his kids. Nothing . This is just a ploy for him to keep you under control . This is textbook abuse. Shouting abuse at you and making it impossible for you to go out without him is horribly abusive.
You deserve better and need to get away from him . I think you've posted about him before because it sounds familiar. Start with counselling for yourself and make plans to leave this.

MyNameIsAngelicaSchuyler · 15/04/2022 12:55

Leave him!!! He sounds AWFUL and you sound lovely

Apileofballyhoo · 15/04/2022 12:56

How are your finances? You are allowed be a happy social person. That's part of an ordinary normal life. Your partner is far from normal.

ArmWrestlingWithChasNDave · 15/04/2022 12:58

This is nothing to do with being a step-parent. He's abusive and controlling, and that's the real issue. Have a Google of the Freedom Programme.

WakeMeUpWhenTheyHaveGone · 15/04/2022 13:00

One of the best and simple rhetorical questions I have read on MN is:
“What’s the point of him?”

aSofaNearYou · 15/04/2022 13:01

@calmingspace

I have spent a lot of time with his kids, and I know that their mother is not kind about me, as the kids are always cold towards me, I am always pleasant, never have I said a cross word to them, but they do keep me at arms length, my DP says it's me whose doing that and I need to try harder, like I am never good enough after all these years. He says I do not do enough, I think back to all the weekends I've spent with them and don't understand why he thinks that, his daughter bf is now coming along to things as my DP likes to take them places still, this means I have to go in a separate car as not enough space in his car, and travel an hour somewhere to meet them there, when it should be as easy as I won't go on this one, I suggested that but no he said he needs to see me make the effort!
This is horrendous to read. He is deeply abusive towards you. "He needs to see you make the effort" gives me the chills. Do you honestly feel like you should need to please him?
NewbieDivergent · 15/04/2022 13:05

Why on earth have you stayed with him for 12 years,hes a controlling prick and at 17 and 22 I'm surprised the kids want to spend every weekend and holiday with him.

WakeMeUpWhenTheyHaveGone · 15/04/2022 13:05

And you being turfed out of the car so his children’s bf can take your place, leaving you to drive at least an hour separately to join them as a test/punishment for you to prove your worth! - No, no, no, absolutely no!!!!!

Bananalanacake · 15/04/2022 13:05

Why live with him if you don't have DC together, if you lived on your own you could go on nights out whenever you want.

CandyLeBonBon · 15/04/2022 13:08

Bloody hell op he sounds awful! This is not a good relationship