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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to not take on my step children

218 replies

maddymoo25 · 11/09/2013 20:48

When I met my husband he had 2 children who were 2 and 3, we have 2 of our own now aswell.
My chikdren are now 4 and 1 and step children 8 and 7. We always them 50 percent of the time and paid 50 per cent of everything.

We lost my husband nearly 6 months ago and I know longer feel I should keep to this arrangement but I am being made out to be a cow. It has got a lot harder nw it is just me

Am i in the wrong xx

OP posts:
Yonihadtoask · 11/09/2013 21:22

The DSC are NOT your responsibility at all.

Fair enough - you can make arrangements to see them, to keep the relationship going with them and your younger DC.

But the mother has to step up now and care for them 100%.

I do not see how she can think that you can or should be having them 50% of the time.

I just put this to my DH.. I asked, if he died, would he expect that I would have his DSs to stay every other weekend. No. Of course not was the reply.

Xales · 11/09/2013 21:24

I don't know how you could continue to contribute 50% financially as both families have lost the whole of his salary however it was shared between them. It is unrealistic for you to still be able to contribute at the same level.

If he had died when still with his ex there would be no extra money coming in however she/her children may have had the financial security of the mortgage being paid off or life insurance.

Is the house owned or rented? How was it set up between you, who made what contribution? Was there life insurance? If he made no provision and I am guessing as you are posting here he didn't then personally I think his children would be entitled to a share his house. Unfortunately I don't know how this stands legally. As others have suggested can you make a provision for them to have a share at 16 or 18.

I also don't think you should have them 50% of the time. Yes they need to still have a connection with yourself and their siblings but you are not their parent. You need to work out a good amount and reduce over the next few months to something that is workable.

His ex is no longer in a position where she can be a SAHP and expect her ex to have the children 50% of the time. She doesn't get a choice. She lives on the benefits and a reduced lifestyle or goes out to work to support them herself especially as they are both at school. Just like you are.

What is clear is you cannot on a single salary, working full time as a single mother with two pre school children contribute the same time and money as you and your H were doing. If you carry on trying until you break then there will be nothing for any of the children.

It is a sad situation all round.

You are not in the wrong.

Thisisaeuphemism · 11/09/2013 21:27

You poor thing- no, you can't continue in this way, she is wrong.

kali110 · 11/09/2013 21:27

If exp wants to keep the arrangement why cant she split the money she gets to look after the kids with you ?
I know its your choice but dont think having the sc part of the week would be bad as they must live and feel attached to you and their half siblings.
None of this is going to be easy for any of you.very sorry you are all going through this

Xales · 11/09/2013 21:27

X post.

I think your offer was reasonable. You simply cannot sustain what happened before.

RandomMess · 11/09/2013 21:28

Well the ex has to like it or lump it.

I would talk to the dc and explain that practically you just can't have them as often at the moment because you're not coping but would love to have them on Weds and Fri eves and saturdays.

Yes she is kicking off but she would be cutting off her nose to spite her face so will probably back down when she realises that she won't get any break if she stops contact. Besides you could apply to have contact with them if she stopped it.

CaptainCapybara · 11/09/2013 21:28

You're not in the wrong at all, why should you be expected to pay anything for children that are not yours? Your proposed contact arrangements sound reasonable.

Groovee · 11/09/2013 21:28

I am so sorry for your loss, especially with all the children being so young.

But you are now in the same position as their mother and she is being very selfish.

I think once a week for contact with siblings would be more than fair. Once a fortnight or month would also be fair. She really isn't being fair. I also wouldn't pay towards them as that is HER responsibility.

You will still be very raw with grief and you need to take your time and support your own children first. And do not be afraid to take time for yourself, you need to grieve as well.

Flowers
defineme · 11/09/2013 21:28

She is being an unreasonable cow.

Your offer is more than generous (too generous I think)-I would say Friday -Saturday night much more reasonable.
I suspect she will change her mind if you say fair enough and cut contact for a week-she'll be desperate.

I'm sorry, but you are involved with a nightmare of a women and you need to stand firm. If you have a break down, where will that leave your kids?

PartyOrganisor · 11/09/2013 21:29

Well legally, only 50% of what you own with your DH would be divided between the 4 dcs. The other 50% (your half) would go your dcs ie they would receive 'more' than your DH dcs.

I am not sure why the mother is kicking off tbh. Is she is keen on being there for her own dcs to support them in what is a very hard time for them? Confused Especially as it is her responsibility to do so?

Are you still paying for half of the 'costs' (ie clothes, clubs etc..) even though you are now on one wage and they are not your dcs?

Thisisaeuphemism · 11/09/2013 21:29

She really is taking the piss - it's absurd.

If my ds dad died soon, he would live with me 100%, no question. How dare she impose this on you? Be strong op, it is unreasonable.

maddymoo25 · 11/09/2013 21:29

The only way I can hekp wwith money is if I sell my house and give her half for the children x
But she has hadit easy from day one , for instance the clubs she joined the kids too would always land on our days so we had to pay them etc. She has no other children. He didn't have a will , and tbh we didn't really have this convo ( it was sudden and a shock )

I am just scared if I try shorten contact then I wuld lose all contact x

OP posts:
ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 11/09/2013 21:30

So sorry for your loss op. This sounds like an awful situation in so many ways.

Was his death unexpected? Had you ever discussed what would happen if he, or his ex, could no longer care for the children?

PartyOrganisor · 11/09/2013 21:31

I am so sorry. The mother really doesn't make it easier for anyone. Not for you, not for her own dcs or for their siblings :(

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 11/09/2013 21:32

X posts. Sorry.

RandomMess · 11/09/2013 21:32

Financially at the moment you can't help so that is that. Have you applied for your widows pension btw?

If she goes through with stopping contact then as I said you could apply to the courts and they would look at what was best for the dc and highly likely award you some level of contact for their sake.

Please don't let her bully you.

PartyOrganisor · 11/09/2013 21:32

And btw I will repeat. Her dcs should not receive half of the house as an inheritance.
They would receive half of his part of the house which one quarter of it between them.

Monty27 · 11/09/2013 21:33

Tell her to get off her ass and support herself Shock

SeaSickSal · 11/09/2013 21:33

You are totally in the right. She won't make you 'fuck off' because she wants to get rid of the kids and she will take a smaller amount of time rather than no time at all when push comes to shove.

She is just trying it on, stand up for yourself. Her children will know if she stops contact with their siblings so she won't do it.

Call her bluff and say fine, that is the offer she can take it or leave it. She will take it, I would bet my right arm.

maddymoo25 · 11/09/2013 21:34

I do feel awful because I wish I could , and give them thr world and more . We did have savings but after costs the last 6 months its gone so its my house and wage . I dont want to bad mouth her but the truth is she doesn't care what haope ed to him , she caresabout her lifestyle x

OP posts:
PartyOrganisor · 11/09/2013 21:34

And please do NOT sell the house. You need to keep in mind your own dcs and the fact that they too need a roof over their heads.

SeaSickSal · 11/09/2013 21:34

I disagree PartyOrganiser, I think the four way split is fairer, particularly as it sounds like these poor children will get nothing off their mother.

I think the OP genuinely wants to do the right thing by them which is why she is doing that.

Footface · 11/09/2013 21:35

What partyorganiser said.

Don't sell your house. Tell her what you are prepared to do, no the other way round

maddymoo25 · 11/09/2013 21:36

Sorry on my phonr and it is hard x

It was unexpected andit wasn't somethin wehad discussed
I wouldn't min splitting the house equally at all ,I would rather that as it is there home too x

OP posts:
Rufus43 · 11/09/2013 21:36

Sorry, no advice but I am sorry for your loss. I don't believe you are in the wrong at all

The other woman is being very unreasonable, I think she's out of her tree!

Hope you reach some sort of satisfactory arrangement Thanks