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The letter arrived

3LittleDragonflies's picture

Sunday before last, I grabbed a pamphlet titled "Single Parents: Daily Grace for the Hardest Job" at church for a friend of mine who is going through a divorce. I couldn't find it after I finished changing the girls' diapers and thought I had just left it somewhere. Oops.

DH
This pamphlet was put in SD's bag upon her return and I have to say it seriously pushed some buttons in this household.
BM is very aware that SD's father is not in the home where SD resides and that fact is something SD is aware of also now that she is getting older. However, we do not dwell on it here. It is a true statement that you are a "part time" Daddy (a choice you made, may I remind you) but I do pick up more than my share of the grandma slack where "you" lack being in the picture on a dialy basis, both emotionally and financially for both SD & BM, as I will for [BM's new baby] also.
As you -are- [scratched out] should be aware, BM is not a single parent in the circumstance that there are 2 adults in this house just like your home. I assist in all aspects of SD's life even though I work, just like any father would do for his family - I provide health, dental, vision, and life insurance for SD. You on the other hand provide no financial responsibilities where SD is concerned. You ahve not paid any current child support for her in almost a year which allowed you to pay of the arrearages you incurred because you didn't pay current back then and yet - no carseat for her, you use ours which I provide to keep her safe. I meet you half 1/2 way for visits so you can keep your costs down for fuel in your car. You do not help with pull ups, clothes for school. I haven't even seen birthday gifts "From you" for her last 2 birthdays. (End page 1) She has received them from your family but not from you so this pamphlet is not only hypocritical but is a slap in the face for me personally.
Financial responsibilities aside, you don't even take five minutes of your time (Wednesdays) to let us know if you are taking SD at our agreed upon time - Five Minutes - Set an alarm on your phone. It's not difficult to remember if SD is a priority in your life.
If the church put this in SD's bag and not you then they have overstepped their boundaries. If it was not done by the church and if it was done by you our your wife then I have to say "step back" and think before you act in this manner again.
You have had it pretty good in my book but that may be changing here real soon. I am getting really tired of extending all my hospitality toward you to continually be insulted and having it rubbed in BM's face by you and [ME] that BM is a single parent. She knows, I know. It's not a surprise!
In my opinion, you [underlined] need to step up to the plate and remember that although you have another family now, You created SD 1ST and I don't feel that our Lord & Savior appreciates that you put her last in your priority list. Yes, BM is having another baby but your made her a single parent 1ST [underlined]. (End page 2]
You should be so happy that SD is so loved [underlined] and well taken care of in "This Home". If you have something more to say to me on this matter, feel free to call me. You have the number.
You should also know that when [BM's New Baby] is born SD will be just as loved and cared for in this house. If you have concerns regarding the way SD is being raised, any objections at all I recognize you as her father and you are welcome to "voice" [underlined] them to me if you are uncomfortable talking with BM. I am still her guardian but please don't send us anymore B.S. pamphlets or paperwork in the mail. Be prepared. I am going to the FOC to get child support reinstated as this pamphlet have has reminded me that I have been doing the "single parent" thing and you should be more involved in her care. Thanx for taking the time to read this letter
GBM
& BM

Comments

3LittleDragonflies's picture

I'm not sure yet. I'm still shaking in a mix of laughter and fury.

I could also correct a hundred other things, such as BM made herself a single parent, the state provides insurance for SD, we were paid up in child support in MAY when they stopped receiving it...

Though I think I'll wait until after DH takes the paternity test.

3LittleDragonflies's picture

Just a bit. And it's funny, because the whole pamphlet is about how hard being a single parent is and ways to help cope with it without running around sleeping with every man you meet (which seems to be BM's way of coping...)

Anon2009's picture

This whole situation sounds so sad for everyone, but the person I feel badly for is SD. She is 3. I can see why the grandmother is resentful. She has a mentally ill daughter. She is the main caregiver for BMs kids. I can also see why getting that pamphlet upset her, accidental or not.

I'm sorry if you've said this elsewhere but why has he not paid CS since May? If possible, he should be paying CS. If you're in a rough patch financially he should go to the courthouse (or better yet, online) to get a CS reduction form/notify the courts that he's unemployed.

I think you need to ask your mom for the money to get that DNA test so everyone can know whether SD is DHs or not. And then DH can talk to a fathers rights lawyer about what to do next and decide if he wants to continue to be in SDs life or not.

3LittleDragonflies's picture

We haven't paid because the courts reviewed his child support and, since BM was not SD's guardian, the courts ruled that DH didn't have to pay child support. His current child support order literally says "$0.00" is to be paid in support. Before that the only time he was in arrears was because we moved with 1 week of notice and DH's job up here fell through, causing him to have to find another one. He paid off those arrears in 2 months (1/2 the first month, 1/2 the second).
The only reason we're in a rough patch is because he was working for a company that pushed drugs, shorted hours, and is just generally awful. He then got fired, without warning, because he couldn't volunteer to do overtime. We've since found out it was because he wouldn't take drugs from his supervisor. Hopefully it will be better now with the new company he is working for.

bearcub25's picture

I think I would send a 1 sentence letter in return.

3LD picked this up at church for her friend and must have gotten into the bag by accident.

Makes her look crazy.

just.his.wife's picture

Reply from your DH:

I have no idea what you are talking about. And await the apology I am due for your aggressive and inacurate letter.