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Step-parenting

Connect with other Mumsnetters here for step-parenting advice and support.

Need advice

25 replies

OneEdgyBee · 19/03/2025 09:49

sorry for the long post bare with me please

Hi first time posting here looking for some advice. I’m male father of 2 from previous relationships they were 2 long term relationships that didn’t work out in the end my kids are 17 and 12 I have them 3 nights per week every Tuesday Thursday and one night at the weekend alternating between Friday and Saturday. I take both of them the same days so they have a relationship I always have. I separated from my youngest child’s mother in 2018 met a girl in 2020 we hit It off right away and things were great at the start. About 2 years in it started to become difficult to manage as my youngest child’s mom is sometimes hard to deal with an sometimes would have not been home when the child had to come back home etc at the weekends she would have been partying or out all night drinking etc this would have annoyed me so much. She also tried to stir the pot between me and my current partner at the start but that has since stopped and now we only be in contact when it’s about our daughter. A few times throughout my current relationship me and my partner has argued about the kids. My current partner has a son from previous relationship that doesn’t see his dad so she has him all the time and that’s ok I fully support her there. We dont live together we both have our own houses. I go an see her a few nights per week in her house she never comes to mine because she has her son she used to stay one night a week until contact stopped between her son and his dad. In the first 2 years of our relationship I would have taken my kids to the cinema or bowling etc and always invited her son until I noticed she never asked my kids to go anywhere so I stopped inviting her son purely because the effort was not being reciprocated. We used to go on holidays together with her sisters and all there kids an families we had an argument on holiday a few years ago and haven’t went away together as a family since. She hasn’t invited my kids but has asked me to go without them on her family holidays which I declined because I didn’t want my own kids to feel left out. But recently my youngest daughter has been struggling coping with going through the changes becoming a teenager she is a fantastic child and I wouldn’t change a thing about her. But her mum was concerned about her staying in different houses during the week as she thought it may be hard for her with school etc so she wanted to explore the options of my daughter staying with me at the weekends instead of midweek. I somewhat agree with her mom in this instance so i brought this to my current partner and told her that possibly my contact will change to weekends with my daughter and if it did I would also change my contact with my son to the same days as my daughter to keep there relationship good. It meant that possibly one night at the weekends wouldn’t have been able to stay in my partners house as I would have had the kids she was furious about this and told me I have her to consider and that I’m just giving into my ex and that I shouldn’t agree to weekends and just one night at the weekend so I can see her in her house. I told her if the night at the weekend was really important she can come an stay in my house if it meant that much. She declined and said if I choose to see them at weekends and give up our night at the weekend and we fall to shit then it’s my fault. This is after telling her if we had plans or anything any given weekend i would accommodate our plans. This wasn’t good enough and caused a major argument that led to us breaking up it’s Been 2 weeks now and I’m now fighting with myself wondering if I’ve made the right decision leaving as 90% of our relationship is fine apart from this one underlying issue around my kids and the gut feeling that she doesn’t really accept them and me as a package. Sorry for the long post but just need some advice from mums especially am I in the wrong or right for prioritising 2 nights at the weekends with my kids over a night at the weekend with my partner

OP posts:
festivemouse · 19/03/2025 09:53

Prioritise your children OP - your partner can be annoyed all she wants, however your children should come first especially when struggling.

SemperIdem · 19/03/2025 09:55

You seem to be doing the right things for your children to maintain a relationship with you and each other. Both very important!

If your partner can’t at least try to see things from your perspective, then you’re not right for each other. She’s framing it as a competition between herself and your ex, rather than you trying to be a good dad. That’s an unhealthy mindset and ultimately isn’t your problem to fix.

OneEdgyBee · 19/03/2025 10:01

festivemouse · 19/03/2025 09:53

Prioritise your children OP - your partner can be annoyed all she wants, however your children should come first especially when struggling.

That was my thoughts too thanks for the reply

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OneEdgyBee · 19/03/2025 10:02

SemperIdem · 19/03/2025 09:55

You seem to be doing the right things for your children to maintain a relationship with you and each other. Both very important!

If your partner can’t at least try to see things from your perspective, then you’re not right for each other. She’s framing it as a competition between herself and your ex, rather than you trying to be a good dad. That’s an unhealthy mindset and ultimately isn’t your problem to fix.

Yea I agree i feel stuck in the middle between her and my ex and feel that im being made to choose who I want to spend time with between her and my kids it doesn’t seem like she sees it from my perspective at all

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lunar1 · 19/03/2025 10:02

You’ve done the right thing for your child, she’s made it clear your children aren’t on her radar and she doesn’t have any consideration for them.

Footle · 19/03/2025 10:04

Be proud of how you’ve looked after your children. Carry on putting them first - they’re worth it.

OneEdgyBee · 19/03/2025 10:06

lunar1 · 19/03/2025 10:02

You’ve done the right thing for your child, she’s made it clear your children aren’t on her radar and she doesn’t have any consideration for them.

This is what I think too but anytime I say to her she’s not considering mine or my kids feelings I’m wrong for saying that

OP posts:
OneEdgyBee · 19/03/2025 10:07

Footle · 19/03/2025 10:04

Be proud of how you’ve looked after your children. Carry on putting them first - they’re worth it.

Thanks I feel like I’m doing the right thing and it’s nice to hear it from someone else too it’s just not a nice situation to be in

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SemperIdem · 19/03/2025 10:08

@OneEdgyBee

Step parenting, or indeed just being involved with someone who has children, can be really hard. Compromise is required often.

It is fine if she doesn’t want that, but it means you’re not the right person for her, and she for you.

OneEdgyBee · 19/03/2025 10:14

SemperIdem · 19/03/2025 10:08

@OneEdgyBee

Step parenting, or indeed just being involved with someone who has children, can be really hard. Compromise is required often.

It is fine if she doesn’t want that, but it means you’re not the right person for her, and she for you.

Yea I agree it isn’t easy when kids are involved but also there definitely has to be compromise. As I’ve had to compromise her never coming to my house due to having her son maybe it’s just not meant to be thanks

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user1492757084 · 19/03/2025 10:14

Ýou did the right thing, Op.
In another few years, circumstances will have changed and you could bump into each other again, or meet someone more suited.

OneEdgyBee · 19/03/2025 10:16

user1492757084 · 19/03/2025 10:14

Ýou did the right thing, Op.
In another few years, circumstances will have changed and you could bump into each other again, or meet someone more suited.

Thanks maybe circumstances will change in the future

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BansheeOfTheSouth · 19/03/2025 11:00

OneEdgyBee · 19/03/2025 10:16

Thanks maybe circumstances will change in the future

Circumstances won't change. She never invited your children to anything and wanted you to chose her over your children. She's selfish.

You've done the right thing by ending things with her completely. There are plenty of single mums with children who will see their dads 50/50 or who are more suited to dating week days until your children are older. For now, you are probably better off single if your youngest is struggling.

OneEdgyBee · 19/03/2025 11:42

BansheeOfTheSouth · 19/03/2025 11:00

Circumstances won't change. She never invited your children to anything and wanted you to chose her over your children. She's selfish.

You've done the right thing by ending things with her completely. There are plenty of single mums with children who will see their dads 50/50 or who are more suited to dating week days until your children are older. For now, you are probably better off single if your youngest is struggling.

Yea I’ve no desire to enter any relationship if this doesn’t work out. It’s kind of double standards imo asking me to go on holidays with her child and not mine but wouldn’t go away with me and my kids and leave hers. There’s been a few things that’s she’s implied how I should handle being a dad that she wouldn’t do herself. Her excuse is always the same I’ve mine full time you don’t

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Thatsenoughadulting · 19/03/2025 11:54

You've made the right decision because you didn't sound compatible. The relationship from what you have described, sounds very one sided. It seems to be you making all the effort and everything revolving around what she wants. You already feel like the relationship wasn't fair and that will always cause resentment so the relationship would have crumbed eventually one way or another.

However just playing devil's advocate and something to consider for future relationships..... I do wonder about the motives of your ex requesting a change to the schedule. If your DD is used to staying with you midweek why has this suddenly become an issue? The changes she's experiencing, I assume your talking about puberty, don't just stop at the weekend. So why is it suddenly an issue her staying midweek but the weekends are fine? You paint a picture of your ex being a bit of a weekend party girl. Was your girlfriend maybe just annoyed that you've caved to this request which is nothing to do with your DDs wellbeing and more about your ex being able to go out every weekend? She probably feels you already have limited time together and you're sacraficing that so your ex can have her weekends kid free, although she's dressed it up as being for the benefit of your DD.

OneEdgyBee · 19/03/2025 11:59

Thatsenoughadulting · 19/03/2025 11:54

You've made the right decision because you didn't sound compatible. The relationship from what you have described, sounds very one sided. It seems to be you making all the effort and everything revolving around what she wants. You already feel like the relationship wasn't fair and that will always cause resentment so the relationship would have crumbed eventually one way or another.

However just playing devil's advocate and something to consider for future relationships..... I do wonder about the motives of your ex requesting a change to the schedule. If your DD is used to staying with you midweek why has this suddenly become an issue? The changes she's experiencing, I assume your talking about puberty, don't just stop at the weekend. So why is it suddenly an issue her staying midweek but the weekends are fine? You paint a picture of your ex being a bit of a weekend party girl. Was your girlfriend maybe just annoyed that you've caved to this request which is nothing to do with your DDs wellbeing and more about your ex being able to go out every weekend? She probably feels you already have limited time together and you're sacraficing that so your ex can have her weekends kid free, although she's dressed it up as being for the benefit of your DD.

Yea I think she was annoyed at the fact my ex was getting what she wanted. But the thing is I never agreed to any changes in contact I told her this and said I wouldn’t be agreeing to changes but I could see where my ex was coming from regarding the child going house to house midweek. This argument was me stating that if contact does change as I’ve no court order in place an it’s really up to my ex when my child comes then I would have to see her weekends

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OneEdgyBee · 19/03/2025 12:00

Thatsenoughadulting · 19/03/2025 11:54

You've made the right decision because you didn't sound compatible. The relationship from what you have described, sounds very one sided. It seems to be you making all the effort and everything revolving around what she wants. You already feel like the relationship wasn't fair and that will always cause resentment so the relationship would have crumbed eventually one way or another.

However just playing devil's advocate and something to consider for future relationships..... I do wonder about the motives of your ex requesting a change to the schedule. If your DD is used to staying with you midweek why has this suddenly become an issue? The changes she's experiencing, I assume your talking about puberty, don't just stop at the weekend. So why is it suddenly an issue her staying midweek but the weekends are fine? You paint a picture of your ex being a bit of a weekend party girl. Was your girlfriend maybe just annoyed that you've caved to this request which is nothing to do with your DDs wellbeing and more about your ex being able to go out every weekend? She probably feels you already have limited time together and you're sacraficing that so your ex can have her weekends kid free, although she's dressed it up as being for the benefit of your DD.

Also yea I agree it’s one sided I’ve only reflected how one sided it was in the last week after leaving

OP posts:
OneEdgyBee · 19/03/2025 12:03

Also to follow up I did also offer Sunday through to Thursday to see my partner and was told she’s not free any other time to see me

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Thatsenoughadulting · 19/03/2025 12:19

OneEdgyBee · 19/03/2025 11:59

Yea I think she was annoyed at the fact my ex was getting what she wanted. But the thing is I never agreed to any changes in contact I told her this and said I wouldn’t be agreeing to changes but I could see where my ex was coming from regarding the child going house to house midweek. This argument was me stating that if contact does change as I’ve no court order in place an it’s really up to my ex when my child comes then I would have to see her weekends

Why have you allowed your ex the power to dictate when you see your child? Whilst your ex-GF does seem quite inflexible, I can understand her annoyance at you still being under your ex's thumb.

I still don't understand why your DD is fine to go through puberty at your house on the weekend but can't manage midweek. Has your DD actually told you she doesn't want to stay midweek or is this all just coming from your ex?

OneEdgyBee · 19/03/2025 12:24

Thatsenoughadulting · 19/03/2025 12:19

Why have you allowed your ex the power to dictate when you see your child? Whilst your ex-GF does seem quite inflexible, I can understand her annoyance at you still being under your ex's thumb.

I still don't understand why your DD is fine to go through puberty at your house on the weekend but can't manage midweek. Has your DD actually told you she doesn't want to stay midweek or is this all just coming from your ex?

My ex doesn’t dictate when my child comes she’s always came Tuesday Thursday and a night at the weekend. Even when my ex mentioned changes in contact I didn’t agree to changes and my daughter doesn’t want to change anything so I’m not changing anything. I already told my partner I wouldn’t be agreeing to changes unless my daughter wanted to and my ex put her foot down and stopped my child coming midweek. It just seems to be a regular occurrence of arguments anytime my ex tries to change contact even if it’s a minor change of a day here and there

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Thatsenoughadulting · 19/03/2025 13:05

OneEdgyBee · 19/03/2025 12:24

My ex doesn’t dictate when my child comes she’s always came Tuesday Thursday and a night at the weekend. Even when my ex mentioned changes in contact I didn’t agree to changes and my daughter doesn’t want to change anything so I’m not changing anything. I already told my partner I wouldn’t be agreeing to changes unless my daughter wanted to and my ex put her foot down and stopped my child coming midweek. It just seems to be a regular occurrence of arguments anytime my ex tries to change contact even if it’s a minor change of a day here and there

You literally just said that your ex dictates when your DD comes to yours. I’ve no court order in place an it’s really up to my ex when my child comes.

It sounds like your DDs mum is just trying to manipulate you into making changes to suit her. I'm glad it's not worked and you've spoken to your DD and that she's happy with things the way they are. At 12, she's getting to an age where she should be able to go between houses as she chooses and will likely start making those decisions based on what fits around her social life. A lot of teenagers prefer having just one home. I have one SS who lives with his mum and visits on the odd weekend and my other SS went from 50:50 to living with us full time.

Even before this discussion about the potential change in schedule, the relationship with your ex-GF wasn't really working. If it wasn't that argument it would have been something else that ended it. So I wouldn't question if you were right or wrong in this instance. The relationship wasn't right full stop. At least now you can focus on yourself and your own kids.

OneEdgyBee · 19/03/2025 13:15

Thatsenoughadulting · 19/03/2025 13:05

You literally just said that your ex dictates when your DD comes to yours. I’ve no court order in place an it’s really up to my ex when my child comes.

It sounds like your DDs mum is just trying to manipulate you into making changes to suit her. I'm glad it's not worked and you've spoken to your DD and that she's happy with things the way they are. At 12, she's getting to an age where she should be able to go between houses as she chooses and will likely start making those decisions based on what fits around her social life. A lot of teenagers prefer having just one home. I have one SS who lives with his mum and visits on the odd weekend and my other SS went from 50:50 to living with us full time.

Even before this discussion about the potential change in schedule, the relationship with your ex-GF wasn't really working. If it wasn't that argument it would have been something else that ended it. So I wouldn't question if you were right or wrong in this instance. The relationship wasn't right full stop. At least now you can focus on yourself and your own kids.

Yea well suppose then she can dictate when she comes as I’ve no court order. My daughter loves being with me so contact has never changed it’s always been the same. And I agree it hasn’t been great before this as I make way to many sacrifices to keep her happy without much reciprocity. So eventually something else would have ended things. That’s the plan focus on me and my kids for now thanks for the replies

OP posts:
Linxoxo · 19/03/2025 13:53

She sounds like a bit of a nightmare OP, but also not quite sure how you can expect a relationship to work if neither of you have any alone/free time together...

OneEdgyBee · 19/03/2025 14:33

Linxoxo · 19/03/2025 13:53

She sounds like a bit of a nightmare OP, but also not quite sure how you can expect a relationship to work if neither of you have any alone/free time together...

We had 3 nights a week together it was only one night at the weekend that potentially could have been lost I offered to make that night up one of the other 3 nights I was free and she told me she’s busy

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OneEdgyBee · 19/03/2025 14:36

We also had many luxury holidays together just me and her plus loads of overnight stays at hotels and date nights too

OP posts:
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