Hi everyone, I'm back. Sorry for not updating in a week or so. Before I tell you the latest (I've got my hard hat on already), let me quickly address a couple of points (to the main protagonists but I'm well aware the people named below aren't the only ones questioning my motives re my DS's club).
@craig2001:
What do you mean your MIL is being standoffish? I sort of thought she was being nice to you?
I just meant I've noticed her texts (the few times I have contacted her) have become shorter and a bit vague/non-committal. The last few kind of didn't say anything at all. I've had no contact with her since I made that comment but that's not to say there's a problem necessarily - she's left us in peace since week 1.
@UKgirl / @tushnurse: On the same subject, you could well be right that my WW has been complaining to her mum. I'm very well aware of this.
@LifeisCrazy:
Why, exactly, would you do THAT [take our DS to the fair last Monday]? Because you promised him?
Er... exactly.
@Schadenfreude:
...you seem to spend substantial time playing chauffeur to your 5 year old son
I know you mean well but I very nearly treated this with the contempt it deserved (you're right, tushnurse, I should really ignore the back and forth of other members)... I'm his DAD and TOO DAMN RIGHT I play 'chauffeur' to my DS. He is the most wonderful, loving, sensitive, caring, sharing, unselfish, unspoilt little boy in the world (OK, I'm biased and, like all kids, he has his moments) and I'd drive him to the end of the earth if I thought it was best for him. He doesn't demand a THING, least of all this club some of you seem fixated on. Our son's school is also a 30 minute drive away (we put him in a lovely, TINY, state school in beautiful countryside outside our town rather than the horrible place he'd have ended up in nearer home) but I suppose I could let him walk... Honestly, I don't know what your point is. Oh yeah, about my
seeking out a known trigger
by taking our DS to his club. Yeah, right. Shows me you haven't read this whole thread very carefully. My son is not going to miss out. End of story. It's not a youth club or a junior disco or something like that, it's a sporting activity he LOVES, that came 100% from him (neither my WW nor I have any history in it) when he was about 2-and-a-half. He absolutely loves it and they aren't exactly ten-a-penny (i.e. commonplace).
That said, I haven't exactly dealt with the club/OM problem, granted.
@LifeisCrazy: Ditto what I said above. My DS doesn't EVER demand to go to his club (actually, clubs - Tuesday is somewhere else). So, you wouldn't take YOUR children
to a place where I know there is a likelihood of having direct contact with the POS OM
Well, with all due respect, bully for you. I'm obviously not half the dad I KNOW I am. I mean, seriously. My wife has the legal right to take my son to the OM's house. I mean, they might live happily ever after (yeah, right). OK, I shouldn't be facilitating that but legally I cannot STOP my DS from being in contact with the OM, much as I might like to.
Listen everyone, I've been away and I'm back, all guns blazing. I know you all mean well and care about my situation, but I'm not going to sit here and take criticism when I feel it is unfair or just plain wrong. I'm going to get my own 2x4s out...
Thanks, by the way, CantSeeInTheDark