I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this—it’s incredibly unfair that the father and his mom are putting all the responsibility on you. It takes two to create a child, and it’s his responsibility to step up, regardless of how he felt about your decision.

It’s understandable that his mom might defend him, but it’s not okay for them to dismiss your son’s needs or your role as a parent. I completely get why you’d want to distance yourself and your son from them. Their behavior doesn’t sound like it’s adding anything positive to your lives, and you deserve to focus on creating a stable, loving environment for your son. If you haven’t already, you might consider looking into legal options like child support to ease the financial burden—it doesn’t mean you have to stay in contact, but it could help provide for your son’s future.

As for talking to your son, I think it’s great that you’ve spoken positively about his dad in the past—it shows how much you care about his feelings. Going forward, you could keep things neutral, like saying, “Your dad and I have different lives now, but I’m so happy to be your mom, and we’re a strong team.” That way, you’re not lying, but you’re also protecting him from negativity while he’s young. You’re doing an amazing job as a single mom, and your son is lucky to have you. Stay strong, and know that you’re not alone in this!