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Step-parenting

It's all gone horribly wrong

36 replies

NotaDisneyMum · 29/12/2011 17:27

DSS seems to have finally decided that he has had enough - he didn't want to talk to his mum when she called, DP explained that it might be best until he sees the counsellor that she gives him some space, and she has gone loopy; threatening to turn up on the doorstep, withhold contact etc etc, and has demanded to speak to DSS so he can "tell her himself".

DP has spoken to DSS and he has said that he wants to tell his mum not to call when he's here (there is a HUGE back-story regarding phone calls to him here and DSS often goes several days at a time without seeing/speaking to her even when he is with her when he is left in grandmas care anyway).
DSS mum has been deluging the house with calls, and as one of those calls has been answered, I'm assuming that DSS is telling his mum that indeed, he would prefer her not to call Sad

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michglas · 29/12/2011 17:30

I think it sounds as though DSS needs an independent adult to speak to his mum, to put across how he feels. I am not sure how you would acheive this before he sees the councillor.

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chelen · 29/12/2011 17:31

hello again NADM - such a lot going on for you all right now - sorry it's all kicking off.

I really hope he holds up and you do too x

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NotaDisneyMum · 29/12/2011 17:33

Not going to happen - so many people have tried - the GP (she refused to talk to him), the school, and I've never forgotten the sight of her standing in front of her barrister wagging her finger and yelling in the public area of family court; it was embarrassing Blush

She refuses to accept things she doesn't like - her attitude seems to be that she is right, and the rest of the world is wrong Hmm

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michglas · 29/12/2011 17:39

My mum was very much like that and she would never accept she had a problem. As a result, I have not spoken to her for 12 years. My sister keeps trying with her in the hope that one day she will be the mum she wants her to be. One day your DSS will be strong enough and old enough to decide what level of relationship he wants with her. Doesn't help your poor DSS now and it's horrible that he doesn't have much of a relationship with her, but thankfully he has his dad and you in his life.

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MJinSparklyStockings · 29/12/2011 18:19

How old is he? Does he live with you?

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therantingBOM · 29/12/2011 18:50

I was thinking about an independant adult too but if she's one of those that has convinced herself she's right there is little point. She'll never see it.

As others have said, thank god he has you.

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therantingBOM · 29/12/2011 18:50

And to second MJ, how old is he? Is he old enough to have the final say on who he stays with?

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RandomMess · 29/12/2011 18:53

Perhaps you should be writing this all done so if your dss decides he wants to live with you for a while you can use this as evidence to support him.

It sounds hellish for him tbh.

Will he want to return home at the end of contact if she's been this bad?

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NotaDisneyMum · 29/12/2011 21:08

He's just eight - there is court ordered residency with BM and contact with DP after DP went to court when she withheld contact 2 years ago.

We've been keeping a diary since then - Fortunately, DSS first counselling appointment is the day before he goes back to his mums and both parents intend to be there (she said that she is going to make sure she tells the counsellor her 'side') so if the counsellor thinks there are concerns about him going to his mums, it can be dealt with there.

She has made it clear that she will not allow DSS to come here again; and DP is more than prepared to take her back to court if she breaches the order!

Eugh - what a way to end one year/begin another! I am also expecting court paperwork to drop through the door regarding my DD - exH wants to change arrangements for her ( she's 50:50 at the moment) but he hasn't told me what he wants to change it too! Hmm

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RandomMess · 29/12/2011 21:15

Regardless of residency if your dh refused to return him from contact she would have to take you to court to get him returned...

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NotaDisneyMum · 29/12/2011 21:48

random the scene at the school gate when they both turn up to collect him next week would put DP off; it would be nasty and unpleasant and unfortunately, the school are unlikely to remain impartial and protect DSS from witnessing it Sad

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RandomMess · 29/12/2011 21:51

Sad

It's so hard isn't it.

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NotaDisneyMum · 29/12/2011 22:04

We've become pretty resilient and tend to apply long-term strategy rather than quick-win reaction when it comes to the DCs (and ex's). So far, it has always paid off, but no, it's not easy Sad

The good news is that DSS is behaving like a weight has been lifted from his shoulders since he spoke to his mum - I even got a hug earlier; my first for over 6 months Grin

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RandomMess · 29/12/2011 22:11

That is good, hopefully he will feel more empowered to stand up for himself from now on - baby steps and all of that!

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chelen · 30/12/2011 19:02

Hi, just wondered how your DSS is today? Hope he is ok?

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brdgrl · 31/12/2011 07:57

poor DSS; I've read your other posts and it just is so painful.

you say it has all gone horribly wrong - but honestly, it sounds like this needed to happen, and it is very good and brave that DSS is standing up for himself, and that he'll get the counselling.

maybe this is the turning point. let's hope.

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NotaDisneyMum · 31/12/2011 09:59

DSS is certainly much, much less anxious over the last couple of days - his comfort level with me has improved immensely Smile

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MJinSparklyStockings · 31/12/2011 10:15

NADM you sound so committed to him - he is lucky to have you.

Yes the 2 exes are similar - I often wonder how abusive (albeit emotionally) in their marriage.

DH says very little about it but he was a broken man when I met him, and when it came to ex scared of upsetting her to the point he was visiting dsd in the FMH while the ex and OM were also sat in the room but couldn't initially even ask to have her alone - when he did she screamed at the girls and threatened (them) to throw them out.

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NotaDisneyMum · 31/12/2011 12:36

Very similar stories - my DP dealt with his realisation that he was a 'domestic abuse victim' - the emotional abuse he was subject to has left scars that will never heal completely.
He got a lot of help from his employee support service, and we openly talk about it - we both have 'baggage', and deal with it together!

DSS has progressed incredibly over the last couple of days - he is more like the child I knew a year ago Smile obviously that first step has brought him a great deal of relief Smile

DP and I do sometimes wonder 'is it us?' We've both have difficulties with our exP - despite reading the books, taking advice and attending courses/workshops. Sometimes we wonder if it's us that is the problem Sad

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NotaDisneyMum · 01/01/2012 13:58

OK, now I'm p*ssed off Angry

In response to his request that she call less often because he didn't want to be continually be reminded about how much she misses him, DSS mum agreed with him that she would call him every other day. She called yesterday, and it seemed to go ok.

So, today, his sister - who has not called, spoken, visited or even acknowledged our home for a year, called and very rudely demanded to speak to him. Angry.
Apparently, she is playing DSS favourite Wii game and has got stuck so needed his help.

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RandomMess · 01/01/2012 13:59

Get caller id and using an answer phone to shield calls?

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NotaDisneyMum · 01/01/2012 14:21

We've been through that Random Sad

There have been on and off issues about phone calls for over a year; DSS mum made it very clear to him that he must talk to her when she calls him when he's here, because her job means that she won't be able to talk to him when he calls her, she'll call him when she is free.
This led to a situation where DSS was on edge every time the phone rang, and even began speaking to someone who had called for DP - I had answered the phone, gone to get DP, and DSS had rushed down the stairs and begun speaking to the caller on the other end assuming it was his mum!

We even unplugged the phone except for certain times each day for a few visits; but DP and I run businesses from home now, so thats not an option Sad

When DSD visited, her mum would call and text her on her mobile phone constantly; it was impossible for DSD to have any time with her dad without being reminded how much her mum missed her, and how she should "make the best of it" until she went home again. We are fully expecting DSS to be bought a mobile phone now - but we've already put rules in place regarding DD's mobile and the same will apply to DSS Wink

There will undoubtedly be a face-to-face confrontation between DP and his exW at DSS counselling session on Tuesday, and DP is going to self-refer to a mediation service - his exW has refused numerous times, but if she does so again this time, it will be more evidence that she is bonkers doesn't want to help DSS no matter what she says to the counsellor/GP/school.

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NotaDisneyMum · 01/01/2012 14:22

Oh, and DSS mum withholds her number. so now DSS assumes every call from a withheld no. is his mum!

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NotaDisneyMum · 03/01/2012 10:14

Well, DP and DSS have just gone off in a force 10 gale to the counselling appointment - DSS gave me a fabulous smile as he said goodbye to me Smile

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MJinSparklyStockings · 03/01/2012 10:47

Good luck - let's hope it's the start of many productive sessions.

The one thing it gave dsd was freedom to love me without guilt about her relationship with me.

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