Jump directly to the content
What would you do?

A woman is refusing to take her partner’s kids on holiday with them… and Mumsnet users can’t decide if she’s a rotter

Is this fair? Internet users are certainly divided

MUMSNET

A MUM admitted she was reluctant to take her husband’s children on holiday with her... and other parents can't make up their mind whether or not she's in the right.

While some agreed that it wasn’t her responsibility to provide luxuries for her hubby’s kids, others accused the mum of being resentful.

 The mum says she can afford to take her own kids... but not her husbands
1
The mum says she can afford to take her own kids... but not her husbandsCredit: Getty Images

Finding herself in a bit of a pickle, the woman took to Mumsnet to ask other parents for advice.

Under the username EmCsquared, she explained that she couldn’t afford to buy a house with her partner as he was still paying his ex-wife’s mortgage.

The Mumsnet user revealed that her husband’s ex-partner was angry that the pair weren’t taking all of the kids away with them.

She said:

This summer we are taking all the kids on holiday in the UK. His wife is taking his kids abroad - funded in part presumably by the not inconsiderable amount of maintenance he pays.
Taking them all abroad was not an option for us as although I could have afforded to take mine, he couldn't and there's no way he'd let me pay for them.
Both sets of kids have had a holiday in the UK this year with their dads... In my mind they've been treated equally.
She feels however that it is hurtful for us to go on holiday without all of them, as she always takes her step children too.
Which I kind of get and am feeling deeply uncomfortable about as I care very much about them.

After the mum told her side of the story online, she's been inundated with dozens of comments of advice.

Some respondents remarked that she should tell her husband's ex that she can't afford to fund her step-children.

A blunt Mumsnet user said: "Others will probably disagree but I would tell her that you are paying and that ex cannot afford it."

Many parents sympathised with the original Mumsnet poster, but they could also see where the other mum was coming from.

One commenter said: "It may be upsetting for her kids to see their dad going on holiday with 'his new family' and not taking them.

"She clearly doesn't think it's reasonable to leave step kids at home, as she takes hers... I can also see your point of view too."

Even though the mum received some support, not everyone thought she was being fair to her husband's ex-wife.

One said: "You sound incredibly bitter... Holidays are a luxury and she's entitled to take her children on holiday too and if that's what she chooses to spend her money on who are you to say otherwise?"

Topics