How do you tell the other parent to butt out?

My ex just called me up to tell me how I shouldn't let my 5 yr old watch Dexter. My sister got me hooked to the series and I really enjoyed it. I tried not watching it when my daugther is around, because there is alot of blood and I dont want her scared. I explained to her about the movie and told her many times that it really isnt appropiate for her. One day she begged me to let her watch some, so I said okay, but she'd have to cover her eyes when I told her to and if she got scared she needed to tell me or go in the other room. That was last year.


Her father just called me up and was like ';can you please not let her watch it'; ';i know you want her to be friends with you, but its just not appropriate'; '; you need to tell her no, when she begs me I tell her no, then she gets mad at me'; ';its for mature people'; blah blah blah... I explained how I don't let her watch movies like that normally, but on this one occasion she wanted to and so I allowed her too, but she only watch a few minutes of it since she thought Dexter was this horrible guy.





I take offense to her dad calling me up and telling me what movies I should let my daughter watch. When shes at her dads, I have absolutly no say in anything, and even when I ask him or tell him something (like making sure she takes her meds) he does what he wants regardless. A few yrs ago he made this big deal about this movie I bought, which because I didnt have tv or internet at the time I didnt know how inappropriate it was. But then he and his wife went and continuously watched this movie where this girl takes her shirt off in front of 2 boys (the step moms fav movie, but was supposedly not sexual.)





How can I nicely tell the dad to butt out, I don't mind hearing his concerns, but comments like ';i know u want to be friends with her'; belittles me.I am a mother, and a good one. I just have different rules at my house, and though he may not agree with my parenting theres nothing he can say, its the same at his housem, as I understand I have no say there. He does this all the time, puts down my parenting to our daughter, lies to her, and belittles me, then tries to look like the victim, like hes the only one who cares about our daughter. He turns any conversation we have regarding our daughter into a ';im right, your wrong'; fight.





I am so sick of that, and other then ignoring him and trying to tell daughter the truth without causeing a huge fight what else can I do?How do you tell the other parent to butt out?
that show is on cable, and is intended for 18 and up. I'm on your ex's side.How do you tell the other parent to butt out?
So this is what I would do.


I wouldn't attempt to communicate with him unless you're really sure you'd remain calm 100% of the time. It seems like you guys would start fighting.


I know that sometimes when your daughter asks, you let her watch Dexter, but you should stop.


If you discover that her father is doing something inappropriate that you don't agree with, voice your opinion to him.





My parents always used to belittle each other when I was alone with them. I would ABSOLUTELY hate that. I loved both my parents and it hurt me whenever the other parent talked about the other in a negative manner.


Whatever you do, do not start talking about your daughter's father in a negative way. Maybe if the subject comes up, tell your daughter that he's a good man. However, if you have nothing good to say, don't say anything at all.


Eventually, as she grows up, I'm sure she'll realize that her father is wrong when he belittles you. I think the main reason I used to hate whenever my parents talked about each other is the negative atmosphere that would come with it.





Always be positive with her, if she does something wrong be firm but not mad. I'm not trying to turn this into a popularity contest, but I'm pretty sure she'll like staying with you more if you just don't bring any negativity.





As for the TV show, watch it when she's not around.





And to answer your question - you can't really tell him to butt out because she's his child too, whether you like it or not.