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Connect with other Mumsnetters here for step-parenting advice and support.

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Step-parenting

Providing DSD's mother with basics - wwyd?

34 replies

Fairy130389 · 14/04/2013 10:32

I'm in a bit of a quandry here.
I have posted before so will keep the context brief - DSD lives here, she is currently seeing her mum every friday night but this goes through phases.

Mum does not pay any maintenance or contribute AT ALL.

DSD has recently come to me to ask me to buy mummy some pants because she doesn't have any ... and has told me that she wears the same pants home as she goes in 'even if they have poo in them'...

She also recently came home in her cousins socks (who is TWO! DSD is 8!) because mummy didn't have any and her socks got dirty.

DSD has recently also let slip that she doesn't brush teeth at mums because she doens't have a toothbrush there and they use 'grown ups' toothpaste.

My dilemma is this.
Do I a) buy her a set of pants, socks, toothbrush etc for mums? (this option makes me cross, because really, who can't afford such basic things ffs)

b) send an overnight bag

c) accept that one night per week in dirty pants probably isn't going to kill her?

We have had similar things like this before and when DH tackles mum about it she just lies and says it's not true, but I know what pants I am sending her in...

DH thinks that for the sake of the peace we should let it go...
but DSD has now asked me on more than one occasion and I don't want her to start feeling upset about having to be in dirty pants!

OP posts:

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ThingummyBob · 14/04/2013 10:38

I am the pwc for my 2 dc's and I have always sent them to their dad(s) with overnight bags and enough clothes for the duration. Even when not receiving maintenance for over 10 years a while for dd.

I see what you are saying about things being cheap, and being fair, my ds does have toiletries etc at his dads, but I always send clothes etc.

I think its a bit petty to not send them when you have them. The only person it affects is the child.

The issue of her non contribution is separate imho.

Lilypad34 · 14/04/2013 10:39

Personally if you know that her mother won't provide these things I'd pack her an overnight bag, at least should anything happen she will have a change of clothes and feel comfortable. Mum can return them with DSD

HappyJustToBe · 14/04/2013 10:41

I would provide them. I think it will have taken a lot for her to come to you and "critise" her DM.

flumperoo · 14/04/2013 10:41

It seems obvious to me that, yes of course she should go with an overnight bag of essentials. Why would you want her to do without these things? Is it worth making a point over?

Fairy130389 · 14/04/2013 10:46

Obviously I don't want her to do without. But I used to offer to send the bag to be told to f off as 'of course I have those things for my child' I remember an occasion when I sent her with an empty lunchbox when she stayed on a school night - DH got a shitty text as she doesn't 'appreciate' me sending stuff and implying that she doesn't have it. She doesn't have it.

If I send a bag it will cause a fight. there is just no doubt about it. And she will make DSD feel guilty about it as she usually pulls the 'don't tell fairy and daddy' card. so do the pro's of sending a bag outweigh the cons of starting WW3?

OP posts:

ThingummyBob · 14/04/2013 10:47

Flumperoo I have met a few pwc that refuse to provide anything for when their dcs are visiting their other parent. Even ones who do receive adequate maintenance etc.

I find it odd and sometimes a little sad

Kaluki · 14/04/2013 10:47

Why wouldn't you pack an overnight bag? It seems petty not to.
My DPs ex won't allow the dc to bring clothes between the two houses and it causes no end of stress and upset for THEM not us!

ThingummyBob · 14/04/2013 10:52

Fairy, how old is dsd? Can you work it just between you and her that she has what she needs without directly asking her mum?

It must be awful for her, but from around 5 or 6 I would say that she can probably be in charge of her own bag iyswim?

I think its better to equip the child and help her to enjoy her time with her mum as best you can.... it will come back to you in spades later on When kids have an, err, lets say inadequate parent they suss it out in the end and she will thank you for being the loving supportive one through her childhood.

ThingummyBob · 14/04/2013 10:53

kaluki OP has explained that her dsds mum did not take too kindly to het taking things with her.

I agree though, its the dcs that suffer/feel uncomfortable.

I just don't geddit

ilove · 14/04/2013 10:55

If you get her a jacket with pockets, you can buy a travel toothbrush that folds in half and a tiny tube of paste, also a little washbag to pop clean knickers and socks in. She'll be self conscious about not changing bless her - help her take stuff with her thats hidden in her pockets if you think it will cause an argument with Mum.

SmeeHee · 14/04/2013 10:57

It's not a shared custody situation where your DSD spends a significant proportion of the week with her mum - of course you should send her with an overnight bag. It would be great if you didn't have to but the issues that seem to surround shared custody and children's clothes, washing and "returning" them probably means you're all better off with the overnight bag system anyway.

If your DH wants her to contribute financially he should persue it.

doublecakeplease · 14/04/2013 10:58

I'd send an overnight bag with all the necessities. You shouldn't need to and her bloody mother should pull her finger out but you sound like a lovely person who is doing the best by your DSD - she'll grow up learning what is right from you.

SmeeHee · 14/04/2013 10:59

X posts. Go with the jacket option. Good luck getting it sorted!

Fairy130389 · 14/04/2013 11:02

Thanks, overnight bag it is!
Think I will just do a gentler tack of 'hasn't DSD done a growth spurt recently'... or maybe pull some bullshit about how isn't she growing up - she asked for her own make up bag so I fobbed her off with a wash bag' so mum doesn't see it as some sort of dig...

thanks for the opinion poll

OP posts:

nextphase · 14/04/2013 11:09

Sounds like you've made a decision on what to try, but the grownup toothpaste is fine - infact the dentist told us to just use a tiny bit of bog standard toothpaste, so that might be one less thing to pack.

Could she develop an attachment to a "handbag" which could then contain a couple of essentials?

Hope you don't get into too much trouble

doublecakeplease · 14/04/2013 11:16

I must be hardfaced but i think easing round it will make things worse. She needs to know that she's failing her daughter in order to change (unlikely but you never know)

Get your DH to explain that the child was upset at not having a toothbrush, pants etc so you've provided them so she can see what she needs (tbh she might nite have a clue) but that if she wants to provide appropriate stuff for future weeks then she can.

doublecakeplease · 14/04/2013 11:17

*not have a clue

Pinkshaman · 14/04/2013 11:40

There is no need for you to be sending a bag. It's no hardship to get in a few bits for a weekend stay. I used to provide everything dsd needed for her stays with us. She was a member of the family not a visitor with a suitcase. I think it would have been really taking the piss to expect her mum to do it, plus it was much easier as she always had what she needed for the activities she did with us.

In this case though I would send things. It's not fair on her to be in soiled pants or not be able to clean her teeth. I think that your dp needs to talk to her mum about it and explain why, it's down to him to tackle this not you.

Fairy130389 · 14/04/2013 11:41

I agree double cake - ideally we wouldn't have to step around the point and could just be direct, however in my experience, that doesn't work with this woman and she would have no problem in making DSD feel bad about it. In the long run it just isn't worth it.

Isn't step parenting just absolutely joyous?!

OP posts:

smokinaces · 14/04/2013 11:47

My two sons have been having overnights once or twice a week at their dads for four years now. They are six and five. I always provide a bag with a change of clothes and their comforters. Their dad has tooth brushes, pjs and bath stuff but clothing comes in an overnight bag - far easier for me to have it all returned and washed here with football kits and school uniform etc.

Lilypad34 · 14/04/2013 12:30

Why not ask dsd to choose what she'd like to wear the next day and pack those, so it's less about you providing and more about the choice of your dsd?

brdgrl · 14/04/2013 16:28

I think you should send the overnight bag, but for the sake of DSD and preserving the peace, re-frame things so that the bag is not coming from or packed by you, but by DSD. Get your DH to pack it with her and just take a step back.

(This is not to be interpreted as my saying that you are overstepping, by the way - I don't think you are.)

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RandomMess · 14/04/2013 17:32

Can you get dsd a messenger style bag that doesn't look like an overnight bag and just casually mention that dsd wanted to bring a few things with her, put some non basics in there like a magazine or something.

Really tough one by the sounds of it.

Xalla · 14/04/2013 17:45

I'd do B; send an overnight and not make a big thing about it. Like others have said, encourage your DSD to pack it herself.

xuntitledx · 14/04/2013 17:52

In the past we've bought and sent home toothbrushes, toothpaste and mouthwash with the kids when they told us that they didn't have that at mums house (and we're the non-resident parents)!

It got her back up but we couldn't have cared less. It's more important to us that the kids are provided for than offending their mother and it seemed to do the trick as we've never had that problem again...

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