AITA for "abandoning" my daughter?

817 points833 commentssubmitted by Specialist-Apple to r/AmItheAsshole

I split from my ex about a year ago. The divorce was messy and long story short, she took our daughter and went back to her home state. My parents moved to where I currently live before our divorce and since I was paying the mortgage on their house and financially supporting them in addition to being unable to relocate due to work, I decided I was staying put. I've also met someone else and we're now expecting our first kid together which makes relocating even less of an option.

It's made the logistics of seeing my daughter harder though but I try to visit at least once a month and talk to her every day. However I had to miss her first day of school because my girlfriend wasn't feeling well due to her pregnancy and I got hit with last minute work stuff. My ex called me repeatedly, trying to insist that I come down for this, and I explained to my daughter that I couldn't come because I had alot going on but I love her very much and would see her soon. She was sad but said okay. I also had to cancel my Thanksgiving  Christmas visit because of my gf's pregnancy. Recently my daughter asked me if I'd ever live with her again, and I tried to gently explain that no, because I can't leave my job and because I'm going to have another baby soon but we would see eachother lots. I was talking about this with the guy's at work, and with the exception of one, all told me I was a huge asshole that's ditched my kid for a "piece of ass". I feel that I'm stuck in an impossible situation. My ex won't move back here and I have no desire to keep her from her support network, my gf is pregnant and her kids also see me as a surrogate dad now, and I have my parents to support. I can't just drop everything to move somewhere else. I feel bad about it but don't think I'm doing the wrong thing.

AITA?