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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:
StrongTea · 15/04/2022 13:11

Next time they go off on one of their trips take the chance to pack your stuff and go. Your are worth far more than staying with him.

britneyisfree · 15/04/2022 13:20

You've wasted 12 years. Don't waste another. Get rid of him. He's a horribly controlling coercive cunt.

knittingaddict · 15/04/2022 13:21

I've rarely seen such a clearcut case for leaving the bastard. It's the only thing you can do.

girlmom21 · 15/04/2022 13:22

Yeah fuck him off OP. A 22 year old doesn't want to spend every weekend having the contact arrangements that were in place when they were a child. That's strange.

Before you know if there'll be grandchildren you're not allowed to prioritise yourself ahead of too.

knittingaddict · 15/04/2022 13:23

Blimey, I've just checked the "children's" ages. It's bizarre that he is insisting on this. Really bizarre.

Herejustforthisone · 15/04/2022 13:29

It’s time to leave. He’s ruining your life.

pinkBamboo · 15/04/2022 13:35

He sounds very controlling and abusive.

lunar1 · 15/04/2022 13:38

The most important thing is to look at your financial situation, he is married to someone else and you have no children together. Who owns the house you live in and do you have savings in your own name?

Being a step parent is one aspect of your life, and it's taken over all the other good things for absolutely no rewards. Is this really what you want for the rest of your life? You deserve better.

NurseBernard · 15/04/2022 13:39

What a waste of a life.

You deserve better.

NarcissasMumintheDoghouse · 15/04/2022 13:42

@calmingspace

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
"I feel I'm living his life with him".

My ex was very like this man - didn't like me to go out on my own (not even shopping on a Saturday afternoon), always wanting to know when I would be back and expecting me to be on-the-dot accurate, phoning me many times a day to check that I was where I said I would be.

Very very controlling. Like your DP.

Your problem is not about spending more (or less) time with the SCs (which seems to be your OH's go-to excuse for controlling you), but about being allowed to choose for yourself how you spend your time.

By the time I was ready to end it, I was feeling like I was being squeezed out of my own life. So what you say resonated with me.

My ex, I came to realise later, was a raging narcissist. Look up NPD and do some of the is-you-partner-a-narcissist questionnaires.

TottersBlankly · 15/04/2022 13:49

This sounds like a sad waste of 12 years.

We can’t always recognise controlling behaviour at the start - but now that you know what you’re dealing with you surely have no good reason to stay in this dreadful relationship with a man still married to someone else.

DrSnooze · 15/04/2022 13:50

Rarely am I moved to post but, please, please, go and enjoy your life and freedom away from this controlling 'man.' He will up the ante when you leave him. Then you will see even more reasons why you should have left him long ago. Do not back down. Block. Thanks

CrowAndArrow · 15/04/2022 13:53

You know this is abuse OP?
He is controlling what you do and when.

Leave him.

DowntonCrabby · 15/04/2022 13:53

What an utter controlling, gaslighting prick of a man! You deserve more than this OP, for the love of God leave him! Flowers

Moochio · 15/04/2022 13:54

Get out of this "relationship"

Riverlee · 15/04/2022 13:55

What 17 and 22 year old wants to spend every other weekend with their parents? My 22 year has moved out and we haven’t seen him since February (although do weekly call him).

Time to fight a few battles and start living your life.

GertrudeKerfuffle · 15/04/2022 13:57

OP you deserve so much better than this. Please find your strength and anger and get out of this relationship Thanks

trulyconfuseddotcom · 15/04/2022 13:57

You are in an abusive relationship with a controlling partner. Please, please leave him and make the most of the rest of your life. You deserve so much better than this.

FetchezLaVache · 15/04/2022 14:03

Your DP is a horrible, controlling man.

You've spent 12 years of your life appeasing him and spending every weekend with his children, whom you don't like and who don't like you, rather than enjoying yourself with your friends.

Please don't throw good years after bad.

Tangelablue · 15/04/2022 14:03

It doesn't matter how much effort you put into spending time with him and sc or how much you try to please them, it will never be enough. How does he show you he cares about you?

SantaHat · 15/04/2022 14:27

This is a horrible, controlling, abusive relationship. For the love of god, so no waste any more of your life with this arsehole who isn’t even divorced after 12 years!!!!

MaChienEstUnDick · 15/04/2022 14:36

The next time he plans a trip an hour away, smile and nod, get in your car with your stuff and drive to your family. If you explain what has happened, they will be happy and relived to see you. Leave this controlling prick behind.

HeDidWhattt · 15/04/2022 15:02

But there his kids…your independent….don’t know why you think or even thought you need his permission for anything at all??

Tell him to go jump, your a adult and he is not your mother!!

springtimeishereagain · 15/04/2022 15:05

He's still married yet he thinks he can tell you what to do? He's made you lose touch with all your friends? He makes you take a separate car when you go out? 😢😱

What a horror he is. Controlling, selfish, abusive.

Dump his sorry arse then do the Freedom Programme so you can raise your standards for your next relationship.

You're worth so much more than this, op.

arethereanyleftatall · 15/04/2022 15:17

It's difficult to respond op, or indeed empathise, because anyone with bog standard normal boundaries would have left the very first time he got angry/jealous when you went out.
You clearly unfortunately have no idea what a healthy normal relationship looks like.
I promise you it isn't this.
Leave him, now, and please find the money to get counselling/and or discuss with friends to ascertain why on Earth you have tolerated this.

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