AIBU to be a bit sad that unborn son will never have the same bond with DH as DSS does?

[teenybluemoon]

Regular user gone anon for the usual reasons. Disclaimer; this will not be an easy or fluid read as I'm not quite sure how to get all I'm feeling put into words. This is also not a step child bashing thread, instead a thread about my DH and his behavior. My DSS and I have a very close and loving sibling like relationship.

My husband and I have been together for almost 10 years, married for 8 and have two daughters, aged 7 and 2. I am also currently pregnant with twins, including our first DS together.
DH already has DSS(18), who was born when DH was only 15. DH has been DSS sole carer since he was 10 months old, when DSS mother moved back to the US. As a result DH and DSS naturally formed a very close knit relationship and have literally grown up together. Their bond is so close that I some times feel like I'm living in a gender reversed Gilmore girls episode.

Throughout DSS childhood,DH perfected the combination of being both a mother and a father figure to DSS. Their relationship is much more characteristic of a mother-child relationship than a father-son one. Very close and very open. DSS has absolutely thrived in this environment, and as a result has grown up to be about as close to a perfect person as one can be; He's physically gorgeous, popular, intellectually brilliant as well as talented in arts, sports and music. In other words, any parents dream child (though he's not always the nicest or most modest of people, not that DH seems to mind)

On to my dilemma; When I found out that one of our babies was I boy I became very anxious. This has always been one of my fears as I just know that any DS will never be able to live up to DSS in DH eyes.
I finally approached DH about my fear last night and he pretty much confirmed that he doesn't believe that he would be able to bond with any of our children in the same way as DSS. He said that while he loves, and will love, all our children every bit the same as DSS ( I don't doubt this) He doesn't think it's realistic for me to expect him to bond in the same way with our DS, and that he's really just looking forward to being able to have a normal, everyday type relationship with our DS, and being able to leave the sensitive, maternal type love to me to deal with.

While I can appreciate the uniqueness of DH circumstances and parenting style with DSS, am I being unreasonable to be upset, and to be frank, Jealous that our DS will never experience the closeness, openness and friendship with his father that DSS has? AIBU to be scared that in 20 years time DS is going to be hurt when he see's them together and wonder why his father was never interested in having the same type of relationship with him that he does with his brother?

I know I must sound petty, and I know DH can't help feeling the way he does, but neither can I, and I already feel sorry for DS and he's not even born yet! I just don't know how to make DH see that while I know it's unreasonable to expect him to replicate the relationship I still think it's unfair that he doesn't even want to try and would be happy to be the average disciplinarian, old fart of a father with DS. I don't know what to do, it's making more depressed by the day.

[NoraGainesborough]

What about dss who didn't have siblings or live with his mother and father.

Your son will have infinitely more than dss.

[mrskeithrichards]

Are you ok op?

[CrikeyOHare]

Your DH sounds like a completely wonderful father and there's no reason to suppose he'll be any less wonderful with your new son. Just be very grateful & thankful that your children all have such an amazing start in life thanks to you and your DH (because you're just as important an influence, you know).

That your DSS & DH were alone together does give them a special bond. I was/am alone with my DS and I always thought that if I had another child (although I never did) it would not be quite the same. Any other child would have been equally as loved, but would not have that "us against the world" team thingy we have going on.

You're overthinking all of this, OP, and I think you know you are. Relax & enjoy your wonderful family :)

[OHforDUCKScake]

I have no advice, just wanted to say I think your husband and family sound wonderful.

I totally understand your anxieties, but your son will have. The added bonus of a mother and a twin and an amazing older brother. He'll do just fine .

I see what your husband is saying, I think its realistic and understandable but your son wont miss out, he wont.

[teenybluemoon]

Back again and I would like to thank you all, sometimes you really do just need a virtual slap from strangers. I had a good long think about what was really bugging me and this is what I came up with;

Deep down I know I KNOW I'm being unreasonable, and this is defiantly a 'give an inch, run a mile' situation, but I really can't help how I feel.

Just to clear up somethings; Regarding my DD's, I don't know, I just never felt that territorial (to quote CailinDana because I think it's a great description of the situation) over them as I felt like it was something new for DH to try, something he hadn't been there, done and perfected as I feel he has with a son.

If I am blatantly honest, there properly is a little jealousy on my behalf, as I have felt jealous of DSS on a few occasions in the past, that I have repressed time and time again, so perhaps maybe that's just coming to a head in this form. I hope that doesn't make me sound like a monster as I do love and care for my DSS very much.

The more I think about it the more I realize the problem is less DH, because I know you are all correct in that he's already proven he is an amazing father, and more his family. They are, I suppose understandably considering the circumstances in which DSS was born, very invested in DSS life. PIL are quite wealthy and successful, and Dh and his siblings, why successful in their own rights, never followed the path set out for them by their parents and were great sources of disappointment. DSS on the other hand is following this path to a tee. He is their angel sent from up above and they let everybody knows it.

I suppose my biggest fear is that my children (including my DD's) will be cast as the failures that my DH,BIL and SIL have instead of stars like DSS.

I know it's a completely different topic and I now see this favoritism is something I will need to nip in the bud, sooner rather then later, but thank you all for helping me to see that my anger may be a bit misplaced.

[hauntedhouse]

Your DSS was abandoned by his mother in infancy and raised by a teenage father. Yet you feel your own DS, about to be born to a full, loving family, is somehow being shortchanged

[oohlaalaa]

At 15 your DH would presumably have needed lots of help from PIL, so no doubt DSS is their baby too. I'm afraid there is nothing you can do about this.

My aunts husband is terrifically close to his dad, they are best friends, and it always interests me that the closest father and son relationship I know, has a 16 year age gap. Uncle was conceived when his parents were both 15, but 16 when he was born. They did get married at 16, before uncle was born, and have had a strong happy marriage. This was back in the 1950s. Just goes to show teenage parents can make wonderful parents.

[NUFC69]

I do think you are overthinking all of this - your DH is no longer the "boy" he was when he had his first DS. Each of us has different relationships with people - no two are alike. I am sure the relationship DH has with the new DS will be lovely and I am pretty sure that neither he nor the rest of his family will ever think that any of his and your children will be failures. I think your hormones are getting on top of you, tbh.

I have a wonderful relationship with my DD and we are very close; I also have a wonderful relationship with my DS but we are different together - my son has a very protective attitude towards me.

Enjoy the birth of your DTs - I am sure you will have a wonderful life together.

[flossy101]

Sounds like you have a really lovely family OP.

Good luck with the new babies

[GhoulWithADragonTattoo]

You know YABU and you're pregnant with twins so you're allowed anyway.

It sounds like you DTs will be very lucky to be born with 2 parents who love them and 3 older siblings. Your DH sounds like a very good man who made a great job in difficult circs with DSS. He will still be a great father to your DS even though the relation won't be quite as intense because you will be there too. A good thing surely?