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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to not want....

107 replies

ohgivemestrength · 22/05/2011 16:19

my ss to come and live with us? :(
Flame me if you want lol, I'll give details in a bit just wondering what people would say without knowing the background!

OP posts:
CarGirl · 22/05/2011 17:31

Well unless the OH parents are going to be living miles and miles away and not be part of his daily life then YANBU.

I can't understand why you wanted a dc with your OH when you've seen how poor his parenting of dss is and how his parents take over Confused I would have ran for the hills.

WhereYouLeftIt · 22/05/2011 17:31

Just noticed - "I own the house."

So, did he move in with you, or did you together choose to put the house in just your name?

beesimo · 22/05/2011 17:34

OP i think you are having a really raw deal here and frankly it stinks that you are 'having' to take responsibility for a child no one else has the grace to take responsibility for. But I honestly think you have it within you to improve this childs life and his life chances, you have something about you that the other adults in his life don't. It is as if your all watching the bairn swimming out of his depth and your the only adult there with life guard skills. Don't let people walk all over you I'm not saying tha,t but do try and keep the little bugger afloat.

thefirstMrsDeVere · 22/05/2011 17:39

First - SS WILL be fazed/phased (dunno) by his mother going off. He will be so make no mistake.

He will be traumatized by it.

I do not blame you for being upset at this situation. Its hard.
I think YWBVU if you flatly refused to take this child into your home.
BUT it has to be done properly. Your OH needs to see that if he is going to bring his son home he has to do it on a proper footing.

Rules and boundaries have to be set. People have to be sure where they stand.

This kid has suffered enough because of his chaotic life. He now needs stability and security and he wont get this if he is simply slotted into the rest of the family with no thought.

What if he lives with you but the ILs want to call the shots?
What if they keep taking him back for sleepovers every five minutes?
What if they undermine you and your OH?
What if mum comes back and demands he goes live with her again?

All these things need sorting out. This boy needs to know where he stands.
How can he be expected to behave when the adults around him are constantly undermining and undervaluing each other?

Needs lots of thought and working out.

Please try and remember this little boy is SIX and his mum keeps leaving him.

bettiboo · 22/05/2011 17:40

It appauls me that children and treated this way. Poor little soul stands no chance whatsoever in life if he is passed from pillar to post, it feels as if he is rejected by his own mother, his dad doesn't sound as if he supports the situation. I don't want to judge because I don't know the situation but what I do know is that you're talking about a child who is the product of those responsible for him. My heart bleeds for children in these situations - what chance have they got! OP it will likely be hard work and he may not be your child but he is your husbands and your own child's half brother. Could you really live with yourself if you at least didn't try to give this child a chance at a loving home and a decent childhood? Could you sit down with your OH and try to reason with him to get him to consider you in managing your SS which benefits everyone?

Vallhala · 22/05/2011 17:41

What WhereYouLeftIt said. Especially the part about your OH being a shit.

He's unwilling to properly care for his son or communicate with his son's mother and yet tells YOU that YOU must take SS into YOUR house WITH NO DISCUSSION?! Shock Angry

Erm... that would be the same leve; of discussion I would consider necessary before I packed the OHs bags and left them on the doorstep if I were you.

You're NOT his servant or that of his child. You're not there to be his child's punchbag REGARDLESS of the reasons why this kid is as he is, it is NOT your fault or responsibility. YOUR responsibility is to your OWN child... and he's not a bloody punchbag for an undisciplined SS either!

It's surely got to be teamwork with you taking charge as you would your own child (unless OH wished to house SS elsewhere than in your home and to employ a 24/7 childminder) along with your OH and IN COMMUNICATION WITH the child's mother too!

Until then, foot down, don't let your OH treat you like shit. No is a complete sentence and the door is that way if he doesn't like it.

ohgivemestrength · 22/05/2011 17:43

I own the house and he moved in with me.

He was on and off with SSM during the pregnancy and for a few months after then they split and this was when OH parents began to monopolise SS effectively they have not allowed OH to be a parent so to speak they made it very easy for him to carry on as normal and therefore taking the majority of the responsibility away from him.

He is an excellent father to our DS and I could not ask for better, however I do distance myself from his parents as I can see how their behaviour has affected SS and I will not be allowing that to happen to my DS.

I think OH has seen now with DS what a mother is and how family life is when you are with someone, that is something he hasn't seen before, not that I'm making excuses, I think he sould have stepped up and taken responsibility with SS a long time ago and not allow his parents to take effectively the parenting role.

I think OH mother has said something to him, I know she has said he needs to see SS more but I'm not sure what else has been said. It wouldn't suprise me if she has said well SS can come and live with you now.

If he comes to live with us I do not know what my role will be it won't be SM, carer etc I really don't know :(

OP posts:
ohgivemestrength · 22/05/2011 17:48

Yes things need to be done properly and sensibly and a lot of thought will need to be done. Discussions will have to be held and EVERYONE'S opinions, thoughts and feelings will have to be taken into consideration. Unless that happens I will not be allowing it to happen.

I think at the moment OH is in fight mode with regards to it all.

OP posts:
AgentZigzag · 22/05/2011 17:48

Your post is what the OPs OH/the mum/OHs parents should be thinking of doing and getting sorted MrsD, but how does the OP start down the road of making them include her and her completely rational and well thought out concerns?

In a situation where the OHs refusal to even consider the OPs feelings are evident in the way he's told her what's going to happen, how can you make someone listen when they don't want to?

It's complicated enough for the OP to explain, I feel so sad for the SS to be right in the hurricans eye.

compo · 22/05/2011 17:48

I'm sorry but your dp should be raising his child not his parents

your post: Add message | Report | Message poster ohgivemestrength Sun 22-May-11 17:17:59
He is pushed to pillar and post as the people who are supposed to care for him have very little parenting skills and no communication skills, if they spoke to each other it would be something and at least something would be sorted out then. I'm a firm believer that all children need routine and stability and that is missing here.

Is about your dp too you know, he's failing his son
I hope he stands up to his parents and you take his son in

compo · 22/05/2011 17:50

In other words it's time for your dp to communicate and sort this situation out

ohgivemestrength · 22/05/2011 17:50

In a way he is afraid to stand up to them, I mean we go out for the day and his bloody mother is on the phone where are you, how long are you going to be!!

OP posts:
manicbmc · 22/05/2011 17:52

Unless this man grows a pair I'd be packing his bags. Is he going to undermine you with your own child? I think your child has to be your priority.

ohgivemestrength · 22/05/2011 17:52

He'll comminucate for about 5 mins then his mother will start then his dad and they'll end up arguing. I've said to him quite clearly you need to talk calmly and rationally to your parents and SSM and come to an agreement or solution but all I get is my mum will do it!

OP posts:
ohgivemestrength · 22/05/2011 17:53

No chance of him undermining me with DS that is a guarantee :)

OP posts:
worraliberty · 22/05/2011 17:57

Why on earth did you have a baby of your own with a "man" like that?? Confused

WhereYouLeftIt · 22/05/2011 18:05

Your partner was 24/25ish when his son was born. By and large, you're all the adult you're going to be by that age. But he let his mummy tell him what to do and how it was going to be. Not a good sign.

for the future, what thefirstMrsDeVere said.

When you tried to discuss it "He brushes me off and says that's enough I'm tired," - well pardon my French, but fuck tired. Tired is the normal state of being a parent. And he'll be a damn sight more tired having his eldest stay with you.

TBH, you sound like the only adult in this whole sorry scenario, and you may well have to treat the others as children. (You sound as if you have the right ideas to me - routine, consistency etc). If this is going to work, you will have to lay down the law to all concerned. You are at least in a strong position with regard to housing - the house is yours and he can have no claim to it by the sound of things. In your shoes, I would have to tell him that if the boy comes to stay with the rest of HIS family, it is your way or no way at all. His parents will have no say in the matter (I would probably start with them not being welcome in my house for the first few months, and only afterwards under strict instructions not to undermine and the understanding that they will be kicked out the second they start). Your partner will follow YOUR lead with regard to discipline etc. He cannot claim that he knows best, he obviously doesn't. Your stepson will have to be socialised to better behaviour, and that's going to be tough, and impossible if you, collectively, are not consistent.

Otherwise I would tell your OH that if he wants his son with him, then they can both find other digs, you have no desire to become his landlady.

Poor boy, he has a miserable life in front of him if he continues as he is. (But do ot be guilt-tripped by this. He is not your responsibility unless you choose it to be so and only on your terms. The adults already in his life have all let him down very badly.)

TheFeministsWife · 22/05/2011 18:13

If he is to come live with you then your OH needs to realise that you will effectively be his mother. So therefore you need to be able to discipline him and for your OH to back you up. He needs to grow a pair and tell his parents to back off. If you won't allow it with your own DS then if DSS comes to live you you should have the same power over DSS. Honestly if they try taking him from you when he is living with you I would call the police! And you also need a residence order to give your OH full residency rights.

My DSD came to live with us at the age of 9. Hers was a similar situation as your DSS as in her grandparents (mum's parents) had always monopolised her and took over. This suited her mum down to the ground as she just wanted to go out and party and DSD basically lived with her grandparents. The difference was DH did discipline her and always had, and she had always spent weekends with us and had her own room already. She didn't have the same behavioural problems as your DSS though. The thing is he's only 6, so there is still a lot of time to turn his behaviour around, and if stays with you indefinitely the stability will do a lot to curb his bad behaviour. Children crave routine and stability and that's what this poor boy needs.

Good luck I hope it all works out.

compo · 22/05/2011 18:17

I don't feel sorry for any of you
I feel sorry for your stepson
your dh is being a crap dad to this poor six year old boy
at last he's doing the right thing and taking him in but you're kicking up
a fuss?!

Lonnie · 22/05/2011 18:17

GEt mediation and ensure that some firm guidelines are laid down ensure that you have a supportnetwork and then if you still say no YABU right now no I dont think so.

AgentZigzag · 22/05/2011 18:22

But how can you persuade people who are intent on arguing rather than discussing to get someone else to mediate for them lonnie?

MumblingRagDoll · 22/05/2011 19:13

YABU and I can say that because I have been in your position. I was willing to join with my DH in trying to mend his DDs heart which was the ONLY reason she behaved s badly. She was oldr than yur DSS and so the job was far more difficult.

I accepted her into our home unconditionally as she shares a Father with my own DDs and that makes her family.

YABU. YABVU

manicbmc · 22/05/2011 19:18

Mumbling, have you read back? I think the OP would welcome DSS to her home if she was going to be backed up on discipline and listened to but she's not. She's even been told what is happening in her own home and not to interfere!

Chandon · 22/05/2011 19:28

agree with wheryouleftit post at 17;26

but also feel really sorry for this boy

ChaoticAngelQueenofAnarchy · 22/05/2011 19:48

Exactly what Valhalla said.

I wouldn't have any child in my home if they hit my innocent baby. A lot of posters seem to be conveniently ignoring that fact. Completely unacceptable.

If I had a DP who told me what was happening in my own home and expected me to accept it and wouldn't allow me to do any discipline then I'd be telling him to pack his bags too. He isn't showing you any respect.

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