Not Engaged Yet

Father and daughter... what should I do? (kind long)

So my father and I are mildly estranged, he lives about 15 minutes away, but we are on shaky speaking terms and I rarely see him, my step-mom or my four much younger siblings. We have never been close so this is not a change.

When I got married before my Dad and everyone was a big part of it (sister was j.b., flower girl, brother was ring bearer) he gave us money for the wedding but then expected a repayment plan when I didn't ask for it to begin with. So now that I have been separated/divorced from my ExH for almost 2 years, you would think things would have worked themselves out with my Dad and I.

No. He and my step-mother have not told my siblings that I am no longer with my ExH. I was not even going to tell my Dad I was engaged but I thought better of it and just called him to tell him in 5 minutes. I'm assuming he told my grandparents ect but who knows?

My question is: a big part of me does NOT want him there at all. He's never met FI, has never been to any place I've ever lived (even the house we just bought), and is generally just kind of absentee. On the other side I feel like it would be strange without him there especially since FI's entire family is coming  I could do without my siblings because they aren't in the wedding and will probably be wondering where the hell my FI came from.

I told my Dad the date but he didn't seem to be paying much attention. So what do you all think I should do? Invite him and my step-mother; My Dad by himself; or the entire family?
 
He will obviously make his own decision on whether or not to come but I guess I'm just not sure how to deal with the situation. I'm torn and I'd actually like some genuine advice whatever that may be.

TIA and sorry for the length :)

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Re: Father and daughter... what should I do? (kind long)

  • hetshuphetshup member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I think that you need to take responsibility for your own life. It isn't his job to spread the word of your divorce/engagement, that's your job. It's just as much your responsibility to make sure you stay in touch with your family. If you have difficult relationship with one person, that doesn't mean that you use that as the reason to not talk to anyone. 


    Also, it's not shocking that your family isn't super excited to go to your second wedding in 3 years. You already relinquished the right to all the pomp and circumstance. His family might be excited, but I wouldn't expect your family to be excited.
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  • PaigeMcCPaigeMcC member
    5000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    You need to make the decision to take the initiativeand re-connect with your family or not.  If you do not invite your family to this wedding then feel prepared to not re-connect with them at all.  I can't tell you what you should or shouldn''t do BUT if you do want a chance to re-connect with your siblings or your father again then I would think really carefully about inviting them.

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  • katanne9katanne9 member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I'm confused as to why you expect your Dad to tell your siblings you got divorced, met someone new and got engaged to them. Isn't that your responsibility?
  • PaigeMcCPaigeMcC member
    5000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_father-daughter-should-kind-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:97bec393-29e6-4497-bc59-619faf74daaaPost:a0f7f07b-c918-45b3-ab11-2499091ca823">Re: Father and daughter... what should I do? (kind long)</a>:
    [QUOTE]I'm confused as to why you expect your Dad to tell your siblings you got divorced, met someone new and got engaged to them. Isn't that your responsibility?
    Posted by katanne9[/QUOTE]

    I thought this too but then I saw that her siblings were RB &FG at her wedding so I assumed they were little kids.  IDK maybe it's easier to hear it from mom and dad when you're that small...?

    are they little kids...?

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    Canada is kind of like a whole other world with new things to discover that us americans only dream of. - Narwhal
    Paige I would like to profess my love for you and your brilliant mind. - breezerb
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  • katanne9katanne9 member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Hmm, well that makes sense then.


    To answer your initial question OP, if you want your Dad at your wedding you need to reach out to him. If you don't want to reach out to him to reconnect I don't think it makes any sense for him to be at your wedding.
  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_father-daughter-should-kind-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:97bec393-29e6-4497-bc59-619faf74daaaPost:a0f7f07b-c918-45b3-ab11-2499091ca823">Re: Father and daughter... what should I do? (kind long)</a>:
    [QUOTE]I'm confused as to why you expect your Dad to tell your siblings you got divorced, met someone new and got engaged to them. Isn't that your responsibility?
    Posted by katanne9[/QUOTE]

    I wanted them to know when this first occured however my Dad requested that he and my step-mom tell them. I just saw my Dad in May and asked if they told the kids and he said "no, but I think they know because they didn't mention his name this time". I would love to tell them but it's not my place to go against what my Dad requested. They really loved my ExH.

    I don't care about him being excited: He wasn't very excited about my first wedding he just loved my exH. I don't know that there is a way to re-connect with him and I've been trying. I just need to decide whether I want him there or not - and go from there.

    As for him telling my grandparents, I don't expect him to or care if he did. One set knows, the other I'm waiting on because my grandpa is sick and in and out of the hospital. I just wish I could talk to him one on one but that will never happen; my Dad is not one for communicating. I'll just have to ask him what he plans on doing.

    Thanks!
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  • edited December 2011
    Yes they are little kids... 13, 11, 7 and 4 - my stepmother is Catholic and runs the household. My Dad didn't even let me tell her and he said he would "break it to her".

    This side of my family is extremely difficult - they wanted me around when my ex was around and when he wasn't then they could've cared less. I've written letters and called but it always leads to a dead end. I'm just trying to think ahead and know that when we have kids, they'll ask where their grandpa is.

    I would hate to say he's not in my life but I guess that's kind of the truth. Thank you all - I know you can't tell me what to do, I just needed to get it all out I guess.
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  • edited December 2011
    We have a couple things in common so I'll give you my perspective.

    I was previously married (got married 5 years ago this month so a bit longer ago than you did) and some people are not quite over that.  My step-dad and I barely speak and we used to be close to both me and even more so to my exH.  He is the only person in my "family" that does not approve of me having moved on "so soon", everyone else absolutely loves my FI and is thrilled that we have each other and can't wait for our big party to celebrate our wedding. 

    I agree with the PP's about how you shouldn't be expecting your dad to spread the news of the happenings of your life.  Also, if other people are not even aware of you being divorced yet and you tell them that your getting married again they will probably be in shock!
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  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_father-daughter-should-kind-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:97bec393-29e6-4497-bc59-619faf74daaaPost:87f28cb7-87ff-4404-b7bc-8d882191c88a">Re: Father and daughter... what should I do? (kind long)</a>:
    [QUOTE]I. <strong> Also, it's not shocking that your family isn't super excited to go to your second wedding in 3 years. You already relinquished the right to all the pomp and circumstance. His family might be excited, but I wouldn't expect your family to be excited.
    </strong>Posted by hetshup[/QUOTE]

    Actually my mother and brother are absolutely thrilled. My exhusband was an abusive and cruel person (who went off the deep end when we actually got married). His parents were also very racist which complicated things more. FI is nothing like that and our families are really close.

    Everyone in my family has been married and divorced so it's not like they are not excited; my grandparents are thrilled. It's just my Dad and his attitude towards <strong><em>every </em></strong>part of my life; not just this. I'm just going to call him and ask him what he intends on doing and go from there.

    Thanks :)
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  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_father-daughter-should-kind-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:97bec393-29e6-4497-bc59-619faf74daaaPost:be1c92d8-2bd9-4198-8514-324f98e6ee69">Re: Father and daughter... what should I do? (kind long)</a>:
    [QUOTE]We have a couple things in common so I'll give you my perspective. I was previously married (got married 5 years ago this month so a bit longer ago than you did) and some people are not quite over that.  My step-dad and I barely speak and we used to be close to both me and even more so to my exH.  He is the only person in my "family" that does not approve of me having moved on "so soon", everyone else absolutely loves my FI and is thrilled that we have each other and can't wait for our big party to celebrate our wedding.  I agree with the PP's about how you shouldn't be expecting your dad to spread the news of the happenings of your life.  Also, if other people are not even aware of you being divorced yet and you tell them that your getting married again they will probably be in shock!
    Posted by dwest2201[/QUOTE]

    I'm sorry you and your stepdad aren't close anymore :( That is sort of how it is with my step-mother. I know it can be difficult! I don't expect my Dad to do anything - he requested I not tell my siblings and that he and my step-mom would -- they just HAVEN'T in 2 years. I keep asking and they just won't do it.

    Everyone else in the world knows I'm divorced which is even more weird because they are only ones who don't know. lol.
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  • edited December 2011
    Eh, I tried to reach out to my step-dad recently to no avail.  I called a few times and stopped over a couple times as well, the last time I saw or heard from him was Father's Day when even though I was moving that very day I made a point to stop by with a card for 15 minutes and say happy father's day. and give him a card  I haven't heard from him since and I've had a Birthday and gotten engaged and still nothing.  I feel like the ball is in his court if he wants a relationship and if I don't hear from him soon then I'll just call and say I need to come get my stuff I have things that were my moms and sisters that he said he'd hang onto so I didn't need to pay for a storage unit. 

    It started when my mom passed away... he withdrew a lot and has been a totally different person since then.  He made it clear to me when Jon and I started dating that he thought it was quick.  He's been a widow for 4 years and as far as I know has been on 2 first dates... my exH didn't die while I was in love with him.  He is still alive and we are civil he just was not a good husband at all and he even realizes this now and is in couseling!


    For you... you just have to decide how much effort you are willing to put forth into restoring a relationship with your dad and his new family.  If you are really longing for that relationship then you shoudl try to repair it... if you are to the point where you have made efforts and feel like the other person just doesn't give a rats a$$ then you throw in the towel and move on and focus on the great things and people that you still have in your life.
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  • edited December 2011
    I have a grandmother I didn't invite to my wedding. Because I have no intention of ever having a relationship with her at all ever.

    If you want a relationship with your dad, invite him. He can come or not, and that's his choice. If you're done playing around and just want to cut your losses, don't invite him. Doing that will probably make sure there's no "forgive and forget," but sometimes that's best. Only you can know if it is.

    I don't think you really need to confront him about what his "plans" are. You can only control your own actions.
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  • edited December 2011
    Dwest:

    I am really sorry about the passing of your mother, that has to be hard especially now that you're getting married to the man of your dreams. It's unfortunate how people shut down and want nothing to do with you - when it has nothing to do with them. I wish you the best in your relationship and I hope that maybe he will come around one day. If not you're definitely right - cut your losses and move on. I think that gave me the boost I needed.

    Jeana:
    I wasn't really meaning "what his plans are", I was just thinking of calling him, asking if he had any desire to meet my FI/See my house (on his own without the brood with him). If he did not say yes or schedule a specific day with me then I'd tell him that it's probably best that he doesn't come to the wedding. I literally got no response at all besides, "you sure that's what you wanna do?", when I told him about the engagement. Haven't heard from him since. I figure my last shot will be calling, trying to speak with him, and then depending on that - make the decision.

    In fact he will probably make it for me. His complete lack of care and concern(not about the wedding about anything in my life) for his oldest daughter pretty much says it all, huh?

    *shrugs* - Thank you all for the advice!
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  • edited December 2011
    Personally, I think you should invite him and the entire brood, if you swing it logistically, and then let them figure it out and RSVP to their liking.  How is your relationship with your step-mom?  Maybe sending an invite to the house means she'll see it first, making it harder for your dad to just deny your wedding altogether.  If my  dad didn't want to come, I wouldn't want him there!  Inviting him the same as any guest- eg. not giving him the chance to comment before responding- gives him the power to decide whether or not he's willing to salvage your relationship.

    Then again, my family is extremely close and I can't imagine having any part of my family living that close and not having dinner with us at least once a month so I have a warped perspective of how they might behave.

    I'm glad everyone else seems supportive and happy for you!  Good luck with your dad!
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  • edited December 2011
    Honestly, you don't have to invite someone to your wedding if you feel uncomfortable with them being there.  But realize the potential toll it will take on your relationship if you don't.

    If you have no intention of having a relationship with your father (at all) in the future, then don't invite him.  But if you want to have SOME kind of relationship with him, then I say bite the bullet and invite him.  That doesn't mean he has to walk you down the aisle or anything, but he should be invited.

    Btw, I sent you a PM a few days ago and I don't think you saw it.
  • emcsimsemcsims member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    It sounds like you're worrying about the 'right' thing to do, but in this situation it's not going to be clearcut. You need to decide what YOU want to do. How much do you want your dad involved your future life? If you want some involvement down the road, you risk ruining it forever by not inviting him. If you want him out of your life, then cut him out now. 

    As far as letting other family members know, I agree with other posters--that's on you. 

    Emily

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