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AIBU?

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To have got rid of stepsons room?

261 replies

Berfudia · 13/08/2025 16:28

Prepared to get flamed here but anyway..
My DP (not married, we've been together 9 years) dated a woman and she had an 18mo DS, they were together until he was 5/6 and split up. DP was the only dad he knew really, his bio dad was in prison. When they split he carried on seeing him and treated him as his own.

His mum moved away 3.5 hours when he was around 11 so it made it difficult but he still made an effort, he just struggled EOW with the long drive and his ex would never meet halfway. I then found out I was pregnant and we have 4yo twin boys. The bedrooms were. 1. Myself and DP. Smaller room. DSS and the other bigger room our DS’s sharing.

When the twins were born his mum starting filling his head with lies that DP didn't love him or want him now he had his “real” boys, made it out like he was an inconvenience. Stepson would push them over when learning to walk so after this I said he wasn't welcome here, a 14 yo boy pushing a 10mo baby wasn't right. Whenever he came he stayed in a hotel with DP and they did their own thing. After a while, he said he didn't want to see DP, told him to fuck off and blocked him. His mum seemed pleased with this. She was dating a new man and would constantly say that stepson didn't need DP anymore. This was the reason she moved so far away.

Fast forward to now, we haven't seen him in about 2.5 years, our boys are both autistic and can't cope with sharing so we replaced stepsons room. We put his (few) belongings that he had here somewhere safe, like football trophies and a hoodie and posters.

He's 17 in a week, his mum messaged DH as she's done with him. He's totally off the rails, smokes weed and does other hard drugs. Invites both girls and boys over and left a condom wrapper lying around (he says this wasnt him), failed his GCSEs and dropped out of college last year in October, just a month after starting and has just been lazing around since. Stealing and selling the things he stole. He took her partners watch and sold it etc. The final straw was him he smashed up her partners car

DP was near that way for work so popped in to speak to him but his mum made it clear she didn't want him there, had his stuff In black bags etc and stepson didn't really fight it he just seemed quiet. They got back at about 10pm on Monday night, DP told him to sleep on the sofa so he didn't disturb me or our DCs as we were already asleep. Fast forward to yesterday, he told us his mum favoured her partners daughters and her child they had together. his stepdad would above him and he does have bruises on his wrists where someone would've grabbed him. Then he found out we’d not kept his room and flipped. He was shouting and swearing and was being unpleasant. We tried to show him we’d kept his things, DP went into the loft and got them. He got the football trophies and threw them away because according to him they don't matter anymore

He stormed out last night, came back around 1am drunk and shouting at DP when he asked him to be quiet. He stole DP’s card and used contactless to pay. I'm not sure how he got around the ID part.
Today he's been asleep on the sofa and I've taken my DC out so he can sleep off the hangover. DP has been with him and apparently he's just being laying there not speaking to him.

Were we unreasonable? Also in case people ask: we rent, and don't have a seperate dining room.

OP posts:
ComfortFoodCafe · 13/08/2025 17:23

hes nothing to do with you or your dp. Why are you getting involved?!

beAsensible1 · 13/08/2025 17:21

Gymmum82 · 13/08/2025 16:38

Newsflash. He’s not his dad

Yes he is. He has acted as such since he was 1 year old ffs.

mumofoneAloneandwell · 13/08/2025 17:21

SteakBakesAndHotTakes · 13/08/2025 17:17

Reading some of these replies, I'm reminded of the proverb 'The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth'

100% agree

beAsensible1 · 13/08/2025 17:19

I’m at seems his mom convinced he’d been abandoned by his father figure when it was convenient for her and I if she’s that way inclined I’m sure she forgot about him with new children around.

he has been sadly let down and know things are at a peak she’s foobbed him off. He clearly needs a firm hand and a strong maw role model. But is not entitled to a room.

if you DP sees himself as a parental figure then he should try.

staring with a family meeting on ground rules and a 3 strikes rules. One has already gone with his behaviour currently.

either he follows the rules and gets an apprenticeship or job. Or he doesn’t and he’s out.

I don’t agree that at 17 and troubled he should be written off. But I don’t think you should be doormats either. DP has established himself as a parental figure. If you do that you do it and mean it.

SteakBakesAndHotTakes · 13/08/2025 17:17

mumofoneAloneandwell · 13/08/2025 17:01

So? Because one person is shit towards the boy, it justifies this man also doing the same?

I'm so shocked at the attitude that because the boy isnt a blood relation, he doesn't matter. Absolutely disgusting attitude.

Reading some of these replies, I'm reminded of the proverb 'The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth'

CinnamonBuns67 · 13/08/2025 17:14

So he's allowed to be the "Dad" now mums decided it's convenient to palm off the kid now shes messed him up (which she has done telling a child the person they see as Dad don't need them anymore because they now have biological children and then stopping access does emotionally mess kids up). I'd tell her you aren't having a violent teenager around your children and you have a duty to them not your partners ex's son. Your husband is welcome to see him away from the home and the children.

Gymmum82 · 13/08/2025 17:10

This reply has been deleted

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stichguru · 13/08/2025 17:09

I know social services is stretched but I really think their in put is needed here. The only person who seems to care about the boy, is, quite rightly, not in a position to have him. It's right that you can't have a big volatile teen around your babies, but you can hardly blame a 17 year old, who by the sounds of it has never known love, for not knowing how to love.

mumofoneAloneandwell · 13/08/2025 17:08

Gymmum82 · 13/08/2025 17:05

This almost adult male is a danger to the young children living in the home. He has no responsibility to him. I wouldn’t have him in my home and I’d kick the fake dad out as well if he insisted

Please do not engage with me anymore. I have personal feelings towards you that would have my comment deleted. Thank you.

Gymmum82 · 13/08/2025 17:05

mumofoneAloneandwell · 13/08/2025 17:01

So? Because one person is shit towards the boy, it justifies this man also doing the same?

I'm so shocked at the attitude that because the boy isnt a blood relation, he doesn't matter. Absolutely disgusting attitude.

This almost adult male is a danger to the young children living in the home. He has no responsibility to him. I wouldn’t have him in my home and I’d kick the fake dad out as well if he insisted

Berfudia · 13/08/2025 17:05

Snoopysimaginaryfriend · 13/08/2025 16:43

Has your DP ever obtained legal parental responsibility for this boy?

He’s in a terrible situation and he needs support but your partner needs to step back and involve social services.

Edited

He doesn't have PR no, his dad is on his BC so I think that was the issue, I'm not 100% sure. He's never met his dad and doesn't remember him from when he was a baby (obviously).

DP didn't expect to just bring him back here, he was sort of put on the spot by his mum. He thought he'd just have a quick chat with him about his behaviour etc. But his things were in a black bag and his mum was quite cruel in front of him, saying she didn't want him there, she didn't care where he ended up, he'd get nowhere etc. She also had the cheek to ask DP to pay for repairs for her partners car as stepson obviously cant afford it. DP has said no quite rightly.

He didn't say a word in the car apparently, he was just looking out of the window. He only started talking yesterday

OP posts:
OpenThatWindow · 13/08/2025 17:02

Gymmum82 · 13/08/2025 17:00

Abused LOL just a stroppy badly parented teen that isn’t getting his own way. FFS do you even know what abuse is???? Clearly not

Try reading the posts, if you can set aside your outrage...

mumofoneAloneandwell · 13/08/2025 17:01

Gymmum82 · 13/08/2025 16:59

His mom birthed him and she’s washed her hands of him. Someone with zero biological connection has no duty

So? Because one person is shit towards the boy, it justifies this man also doing the same?

I'm so shocked at the attitude that because the boy isnt a blood relation, he doesn't matter. Absolutely disgusting attitude.

Gymmum82 · 13/08/2025 17:00

OpenThatWindow · 13/08/2025 16:43

"This thing"

I really hope you're not referring to the clearly abused boy?

Abused LOL just a stroppy badly parented teen that isn’t getting his own way. FFS do you even know what abuse is???? Clearly not

BubblingBelly · 13/08/2025 17:00

What an awful story. There are no winners here. This is a very damaged 17 year-old young man.what a life he has had. He is clearly hurting inside and lashing out everywhere.

He needs the right kind of therapy from the right organisation. It’s such a difficult age with the transition to adulthood as well and so many kids fall through the net.

But he cannot live with you and your young kids. Even if you did have the space, it feels destined for disaster.

Gymmum82 · 13/08/2025 16:59

mumofoneAloneandwell · 13/08/2025 16:39

Yes he is. Hes been his dad since he was young. Just because they dont share dna doesn't mean that that bond and commitment ceases.

His mom birthed him and she’s washed her hands of him. Someone with zero biological connection has no duty

InterIgnis · 13/08/2025 16:59

There’s a difference between being ‘a good man’ and being a fucking idiot, and your DH is the latter. He isn’t the boy’s father, and he’s putting his own children at risk by bringing his chaos into your family home. This is not your problem to solve.

It’s on you to put your foot down.

mumofoneAloneandwell · 13/08/2025 16:57

AnneLovesGilbert · 13/08/2025 16:50

Complete and utter bollocks. He wasn’t his dad when she moved away frustrating contact, or when the boy chose not to see OP’s DH for years. You’re just trying to show everyone how kind and moral you are but your perspective is beyond ridiculous.

You do not become responsible for a near adult because the man you married once dated someone who had a child. Come on.

What?

I am not trying to appear kind and responsible 😭😭, I am being an adult and I am being myself

If you become the parent of an kid, and raise them as your own, you dont cease doing so because you separate from their mum

This poor boy has been told all sorts by his crappy mum, and no doubt believed that his DAD no longer wanted him. Now hes realised his mum is shit and has gone off the rails

He needs his dad, the man who parented him to fight for him.

Tbh I'd be upset if my husband wasnt making an effort to be in touch during the years the boy claimed he wanted nothing to do with him

Being a parent isnt just blood. Its a choice, and its one you dont abandon when things get tough.

PuppyMonkey · 13/08/2025 16:53

Tell social services asap. He’s a safeguarding concern for your twins apart from anything else.

DottieMoon · 13/08/2025 16:50

nomas · 13/08/2025 16:32

YANBU. Your DH needs to take the boy back to his mum’s, he is not your responsibility and will endanger your sons.

Completely, I think it was mad and irresponsible for your DP to bring him back to your home.

Keroppi · 13/08/2025 16:50

Your DP could contact SS or a housing charity for young people in your or his mums area and see if he can get on council housing list or a place at a supported living/ymca or similar
Does he even have parental responsibility
Could literally contact police and say he's a runaway
But dp needs to make it crystal clear he cannot stay at yours unfortunately. Due to lack of space and your twins special needs......
Perhaps give him the sofa for the weekend then DP drives him back to his mums.

mbosnz · 13/08/2025 16:50

That poor bloody kid. If he loses the only decent parent he's ever had, he's fucked. (And yes, I know there is no biological or legal link).

At the same time, you've got limited resources, housewise, and two little ones, with their own challenges, too.

There aren't any Hallmark answers here, are there?

AnneLovesGilbert · 13/08/2025 16:50

mumofoneAloneandwell · 13/08/2025 16:39

Yes he is. Hes been his dad since he was young. Just because they dont share dna doesn't mean that that bond and commitment ceases.

Complete and utter bollocks. He wasn’t his dad when she moved away frustrating contact, or when the boy chose not to see OP’s DH for years. You’re just trying to show everyone how kind and moral you are but your perspective is beyond ridiculous.

You do not become responsible for a near adult because the man you married once dated someone who had a child. Come on.

isthesolution · 13/08/2025 16:49

Oh poor kid. But the damage is done and you need to prioritise your younger children.

I’d Contact the mother and say that unfortunately you aren’t in a situation to house the son. You don’t even have a bed for him. Should you bring him back or call social services. Then do as she instructs.

Snoopysimaginaryfriend · 13/08/2025 16:43

Has your DP ever obtained legal parental responsibility for this boy?

He’s in a terrible situation and he needs support but your partner needs to step back and involve social services.

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