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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:
Rosscameasdoody · 13/08/2025 18:04

Didshejustsaythatoutloud · 13/08/2025 17:47

That's a disgusting comment.
Shame on you!!

And the two little boys who have suffered at the hands of the boy who isn’t even biologically related to OP’s partner ?

HopscotchBanana · 13/08/2025 18:04

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.

Exactly this.

There's some utter bollocks posted on here sometimes.

This is a violent child, virtually adult, that's nothing to do with either of them, and doesn't become their problem because the actual parent(s) can't be arsed.

The actual children, the little twins, they are the priority. Back he goes. To mum, or to SS.

Jumpingthruhoops · 13/08/2025 18:04

mumofoneAloneandwell · 13/08/2025 17:56

No, the man raised him as his own.

If you make a vow to be a kids dad, you stand by it.

He didn't 'make a "vow'; he just assumed that role while he was dating his mum. Then they broke up. She moved away and OP's DP moved on.
He now has his own young family that he does have a duty to prioritise. If that means protecting his then from a volatile teen who is no real relation, then so be it.

LoveWine123 · 13/08/2025 18:03

MNpenisadvisor · 13/08/2025 16:39

Yeah it's harsh AF on the 17 year old lad but you need to fuck him off back

Fuck him off back?! Your language towards this boy is astonishing.

Manxexile · 13/08/2025 18:03

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.

The issue here is that the boy who is no blood relation is posing a potential threat to the safety of the OP's and her DP's biological children.

In that situation there is no choice. The non-blood relation has no priority over the biological children.

That's not to say "he doesn't matter". It just means that he is not the main concern of the OP or her DP, and is not more important than their children together.

The view you are promoting is likely counter productive to your apparent wishes as no man would assist in raising a child not their own for fear of being held responsible for that child in later years.

mumofoneAloneandwell · 13/08/2025 18:02

Jumpingthruhoops · 13/08/2025 17:57

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

But he's neither 'shit' nor 'the same': he is NOT the boy's father, so can't be compared.

Please, again, I cannot engage with someone of your awful mindset. Thank you.

Some of you on this thread are terrifying, and I sincerely hope that the OP carries herself with the compassion and decency and protectiveness of others that mothers (biological/step/adoptive/etc) are known for.

Choosing to help her husband's chosen son, away from their autistic boys' home, is the most reasonable approach forwards, imo.

Rosscameasdoody · 13/08/2025 18:01

mumofoneAloneandwell · 13/08/2025 16:37

I am usually hot on the shitty step parents

I think that you were very wrong to ban him from your home because he was pushing your 1yo. That could've been fixed with time and effort. But thats in the past.

His mum sounds shocking. She sounds as though she puts herself first, no wonder this poor boy is so angry.

I think that your husband sounds like a decent man, a really decent one. I think that, just because they dont share blood, doesn't mean that this boy isnt his responsibility.

And now that youre married to his dad, hes your responsibility too.

I think you should work on an approach to help the poor young man, that doesn't involve him living with your autistic sons. They may not share blood, but they share a dad, no matter how he came to be one.

The choice to be a dad isnt one that you drop because things get rough.

Could you work out renting a small place close by, with strict conditions re drugs and loud noise. The rest would fall on his dad's shoulders as to counselling him to be a good man, getting him back into school or work etc

And slowly, and very slowly, he could try to form a bond with his brothers.

Best of luck x

Edit, it will not be easy by any means. But its the right thing to do.

His mum doesn't want him. He knows it and I think that you know it. He needs somewhere else to stay and to have a break from her and her toxic ways.

Edited

This. Is. Bollocks.

PuppyMonkey · 13/08/2025 18:01

He raised him as his own?

have i misunderstood, i thought the DP only saw him EOW?

Didshejustsaythatoutloud · 13/08/2025 18:00

Op, this is a horrible situation for you all but what a decent man you have there.
The boy is at a fork in the road here and decisions made in the here and now WILL determine how the rest of his life goes.
You also have to prioritise your dc as well, so I would definitely be making a call to ss, but giving him support.
Good luck k op x

AugustSlippedAwayIntoAMomentInTime · 13/08/2025 17:59

He needs to go.

Your partner can go with him if he wants to, but he absolutely cannot stay in the home with you and your twins. You won't be safe and he will destroy it.

He shouldn't even ben allowed in the house, frankly.

Heronwatcher · 13/08/2025 17:59

I do agree that your partner can and should be offering other support like checking in, taking the kid out, maybe helping him back into education but I think this could be done without having him live in your house, where there are already two vulnerable kids and there isn’t enough space. That sounds like an absolute tinder box, and if he ends up hurting one of your kids things will be even worse for him. I also think he needs proper professional support not just a harassed third party and someone who he has had his mind poisoned against by his mum.

usedtobeaylis · 13/08/2025 17:58

I think there are two things - firstly that your partner will want to support him, and secondly that he can't live in your house. Those seem to be fundamental. At 14 he was pushing babies around and at 17 he's clearly angry and aggressive. Whatever the mumsnet pychoanalysis is - it's not safe to have him there. Unfortunately your DP is the one who is going to have to come up with something.

BubblingBelly · 13/08/2025 17:58

Gymmum82 · 13/08/2025 17:55

Accurate tho

No. Ill-educated and short-sighted. And attitudes like yours will cause more problems down the line for society.

Jumpingthruhoops · 13/08/2025 17:57

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.

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

But he's neither 'shit' nor 'the same': he is NOT the boy's father, so can't be compared.

Kateb12 · 13/08/2025 17:57

Just get rid of him. He's an absolute nightmare.

BubblingBelly · 13/08/2025 17:56

AnneLovesGilbert · 13/08/2025 17:50

Perhaps you’d like to take him in. You’re as related to and responsible for him as the OP is and no doubt far more qualified.

Have you seen my other posts saying that this young man should not be living with the OP? I said he needs to live in a supported hostel via social services, and try and build a relationship up with the OP’s partner whilst living there. Perhaps you could read before you get outraged and start typing.

He is a risk to the young kids and should not move in. I will await your apology.

mumofoneAloneandwell · 13/08/2025 17:56

Jumpingthruhoops · 13/08/2025 17:54

But it does though. He became a stepdad for the duration of the time he was with the mother. That relationship ended and she moved too far for them to have any sort of connection - and seemed glad about that. So he hasn't been 'stepdad' for a while.
Fast forward, and NOW the boy is causing her problems she wants him to play dad again and sort things out!
Er, just no...

No, the man raised him as his own.

If you make a vow to be a kids dad, you stand by it.

Gymmum82 · 13/08/2025 17:55

Driftingawaynow · 13/08/2025 17:49

And yeah @Gymmum82 your comments on this thread are disgusting

Accurate tho

Jumpingthruhoops · 13/08/2025 17:54

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.

But it does though. He became a stepdad for the duration of the time he was with the mother. That relationship ended and she moved too far for them to have any sort of connection - and seemed glad about that. So he hasn't been 'stepdad' for a while.
Fast forward, and NOW the boy is causing her problems she wants him to play dad again and sort things out!
Er, just no...

maryberryslayers · 13/08/2025 17:54

He's not your problem. DP was only with his mum for 3/4 years over 10 years ago! He's not his 'dad' or anything close.
His mum may not have put her child first but you need to. Why on earth would you disrupt the lives of two small autistic children for a disturbed older teen who has proven to be a danger to them in the past, and sees nothing wrong with stealing and destroying other people's possessions. Do you really want to risk him actually hurting one of them this time?
Tell DP he needs to take him home, she has no choice, he's her responsibility, if she doesn't want him she can contact social services.
17 is old enough to take responsibility for your own actions and no one wanting him to live in their home might have something to do with his behaviour.

beAsensible1 · 13/08/2025 17:54

Acting like he’s a crackhead because he’s done the stupid teenager things like take drugs. As those things are not something that can be turned around with a bit of effort from someone who gives shit.

rather than turning him into a homeless teenager

Heronwatcher · 13/08/2025 17:53

I think this is really difficult. Your partner is not his biological dad and doesn’t even have parental responsibility, plus he’s been out of the kid’s life for years. Plus you have two vulnerable sons to look after.

I’d reluctantly agree with other posters that legally and morally it’s not your partner’s responsibility to sort out. Your partner could actually end up with allegations of abuse and god knows what else if he gets too involved. I’d be messaging his mum to say you’re happy to bring him back or report to social services that he’s homeless and if she doesn’t agree for him to go back get in touch with social services asap (in fact I’d probably do that anyway).

AnneLovesGilbert · 13/08/2025 17:50

BubblingBelly · 13/08/2025 17:41

Yes. I have worked as a consultant psychiatrist for decades and can see how vulnerable this young man is. For everybody’s sake, including the wider community, he needs some kind of intense positive support asap, otherwise he really will throw his life away. In the future, he may be a risk to himself or others unless he is supported to get onto the right path now.

Perhaps you’d like to take him in. You’re as related to and responsible for him as the OP is and no doubt far more qualified.

beAsensible1 · 13/08/2025 17:50

AnneLovesGilbert · 13/08/2025 17:35

So you’d have OP take in a 17 year old drug user, to her home where her disabled young children live, where there isn’t a spare room for him? For how long? And they’ll pay for everything he needs?

Well yes because the first problem
was kicking him out for knocking the children over when it requirement observation and serious punishment. you don’t punish children by throwing them out. It’s a bizarre

you don’t kick a child out because of sibling rivalry you tackle it head on.

and most people wouldn’t kick out their wayward 17 year old drug using teen either they’d fight to get them back on a good path. As arguably the best place for a 17 year old casual drug user is not in some hostel with potential serious drug user, kids in petty crime or doing county lines.

it often seems on here that step children are often the first ones to be kicked out. Whether with steps or resident parents. They just are seen as surplus to all these new families and the easiest option is out of sight out of mind.

Driftingawaynow · 13/08/2025 17:49

And yeah @Gymmum82 your comments on this thread are disgusting