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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

BF's kids' behaviour

165 replies

cheeseycrackers · 14/04/2018 21:04

Name changed for this. Sorry it's long.

Easter monday was the only 'festive' day of the holidays that I had with my two daughters (9 and 10) as they were with their dad for the rest of it and a large portion of the school holidays itself. As such we all wanted Easter Monday as our celebration day and just wanted to be on our own. BF was wanting to come over with his kids and join us for the day and stay overnight (nowhere for them to sleep but beside the point) I explained that it was the only day we had as a family over Easter weekend and was sorry but we'd see them all another time instead. Part of the reason for this is that my older kids don't really like his kids which makes it difficult for me. BF was upset saying we didn't want them there so I felt guilty and compromised on them coming over late afternoon for pizza and a film. No overnight stay.

Possibly good to point out: due to the way things work out with when we both have our kids, our respective kids don't see each other very often at all (about 5 times so far in 9 months) and they don't see my BF very often either.
On previous occasions their behaviour has been challenging so for this visit I insisted that there was no climbing or jumping on the furniture, bouncing on the furniture or climbing on the kitchen work surfaces. BF agreed to these house rules and said he would make sure they understood.

Anyway, my BF spent Easter Sunday morning with me and my little boy who is 2 (different dad) but then went to his parents with his kids (6 and 8) for the rest of the day once he'd picked them up from his ex mid-morning.

Fast forward to Easter Monday and they arrive, we give them their Easter eggs and we put on the film my kids thought would be the best for all the ages.

After about 5 minutes the youngest starts doing karate and kick boxing moves in the middle of the lounge blocking everyone's view of the tv. Her dad tells her to sit down and she ignores him. I ask her to sit down, she ignores me. My kids tell her they can't see the tv and to sit down and stop jumping around. Ignored. Meanwhile her brother has ants in his pants and is bouncing on his bum on the sofa and climbing around on it. BF tells his daughter if she doesn't sit down and watch the film they will be going home. She ignores him, carries on and he does nothing. In the end we give up watching the film and I order pizza.

Everyone sits at the table for dinner. Immediate sulking from the daughter as I've sat her and her brother either side of their dad. Last time they came and sat next to my youngest they were messing about so much at the table that he started choking on his food. It was really scary and not wanting a repeat of that I insisted that the seating arrangement was different. The daughter spent most of the meal curled up on her chair crying and refusing to eat. Dad did nothing apart from say her name in an "Oh Daisy (not her real name)" kind of placating way. I was getting annoyed by this point as her brother was all over the place at the table so my daughters were getting annoyed too especially as their film was already ruined and now dinner was too. My LB finished his dinner so in order to get "Daisy" to eat I moved him round to sit next to her and lo and behold she bounces up and eats some dinner!

As soon as dinner is over my BF announces they are leaving. He had left his Easter egg from me and the kids at mine so picked it up along with theirs. His was bigger than theirs (he told me only to get them a small one as in his opinion they didn't need to be any more hyper from loads of sugar). His daughter turns to me and demands to know why her dad has got a bigger egg than her and tells me it's not fair. Maybe I shouldn't have got him a bigger one but they only did that particular egg in one size. She was really rude and I was quite taken aback. I told her not to speak to me like that and my BF just said, "Daisy!" with a look of embarrassment. He apologised but she didn't. She did something similar on her birthday complaining about the cake her dad had asked me to make for her wasn't the kind she wanted and had I got her anything else it was it just the one present. However she's only 6, I'm her dad's first girlfriend since her parents split (BF says she loves me) and therefore I didn't say anything to him about it.

So off they went home and my daughters begged me not to invite them again!

Did I handle things badly? What could I have done differently to make things better and enjoyable? How can I get my BF to understand that we all find his kids' behaviour awful? Is it unreasonable to not want them to visit us again? ?!

OP posts:
cheeseycrackers · 15/04/2018 22:15

Nannyogg I feel so sorry for them. It seems both parents like to opt out as much as possible. He has them half the year and frequently offloads them onto grandparents and she frequently goes on holiday without them offloading onto her friends. She took them away to her home country last summer for 5 weeks but was only with them for about half that time. BF's attitude was that the kids would be having a great time and would be fine without either parent. Kids were 5 and 7 at the time.

OP posts:
Weezol · 15/04/2018 22:20

So where does all this leave you? Are you going to stay with him?

cheeseycrackers · 15/04/2018 22:32

Weezol I really like him and he makes me laugh and we have a great time together but I think fundamentally we are too different for things to work, especially when it comes to children and discipline.

OP posts:
kazillionaire · 15/04/2018 23:12

You need to tell him that you obviously don't like his children so he can dump you then you will be worry free!

cheeseycrackers · 16/04/2018 21:01

Why would I tell him I don't like them when I do? It's their behaviour I don't like. I would never be so passive and pathetic as to make someone dump me-I'd have the balls to dump them myself.
I've spoken to him about things and how their behaviour makes my kids,and me, feel-they were seriously pissed off with the fingers in their food and taking food off their plates-and suggested we only meet up in the park or somewhere outdoors in future if they can't respect our rules and behave themselves. He is currently sulking and not speaking to me Hmm

OP posts:
Whocansay · 16/04/2018 21:22

Why on earth is he sulking? You haven't said anything untrue. He can't possibly have thought that the playdate was a success?

He sounds like a bit of an arse, OP.

Queenio24 · 16/04/2018 21:25

I think he could be sulking as the OP is making him confront the reality of their behaviour and he doesn't want to deal with it.

MadMags · 16/04/2018 22:21

Oh god. Please, for your sake and your kids’, end it with this piss taking, lazy arsed man child.

Bramble71 · 16/04/2018 22:44

I wonder if he doesn't want to discipline his kids as he doesn't have them full time and doesn't want to shout at them, souring the time they do have? Unfortunately, this means he didn't respect your wishes and knowingly let his kids spoil the afternoon for everyone.

Ultimately, do you see the relationship going the distance; you two living together, marriage? It seems to be a good point to sit down and discuss a strategy if you want the relationship to go on. If either if you is unable or unwilling to then stick to it, it doesn't bode well. He will alwsys have that part time care of his kids.

Nanny0gg · 16/04/2018 23:47

He is currently sulking and not speaking to me

Well that tells you all you need to know, doesn't it?

You'll only do if you're happy to put up with his children however they behave. Otherwise he actually has to, you know, parent them or something.

ohfourfoxache · 17/04/2018 00:32

If he’s sulking/not speaking to you then that tells you all you need to know

CaledonianQueen · 17/04/2018 01:37

The 8-year-old jumping all over the furniture and karate kicking during the movie reminds me very much of my autistic son at 6. My son bounces off the furniture for vestibular feedback as it helps him feel safe and calms him in unfamiliar environments. Since we have realised this, received a diagnosis and bought weighted blankets/ weighted hoody/ weighted lap pad as well as learning about pressure massage, as well as establishing a routine (which was visual and accounted for things happening out of the ordinary), preparing ds for new situations and a hell of a lot of work with ds, we have a very different little boy.

That poor little boy, if he is on the spectrum then the quicker that your bf can get him to the GP and refer for support, the better. These children are clearly crying out for love and attention. The 6-year-old, she could be copying her brother's behaviour for attention, actually on the spectrum herself, or desperate for her Daddy to notice her.

Disclosure here that I am only comparing one trait of autism here, I am not diagnosing this little boy as autistic via my armchair. I am just offering a possible reason for what seems to be a very distressed little boy who is being thrown from pillar to post, while neither parent seems able to cope with his behaviour. If he is on the spectrum then that amount of change and unsettlement in his life will have completely escalated his behaviour. Alternatively, he could just be a very active little boy with a need to move regularly and a short attention span!

Just in case there is a possibility that your bf ds could be on the spectrum, this link is helpful, as is the National Autistic Society in general

www.autism.org.uk/about/what-is/asd.aspx

cheeseycrackers · 17/04/2018 06:47

He's not autistic or ADHD. He's been seen by specialists. His behaviour at school is fine as is Daisy's. It's just outside of school.

OP posts:
KT63 · 17/04/2018 06:53

Why are you even considering what to do? By staying with him, your children and their needs are being pushed to one side and they’re having to endure things that wind them up (grabbing food off a plate and sticking your tongue into someone’s drink is rank).
He won’t parent, and by letting his kids run riot over your house, you aren’t parenting either. Because your job is to put your kids first, which isn’t happening. I can’t usnerstand why there’s even a question?

cheeseycrackers · 17/04/2018 07:16

KT apart from the fact that in a year my kids have only been with his 5 short times because they are generally at their dad's when his kids are at their mums, I have decided to finish with him. He's not prepared to do anything about anything and I suspect this is because he's bloody lazy as previous posters have said. It's not just his lazy patenting. He's lazy around the house, leaves any going out for the day things up to me to organise, gets me to make all the choices on everything etc. Best example was his artificial Christmas tree stayed up until February because he couldn't be arsed putting it away. It was taken down in January at some point then sat in the box in the lounge for about 6 weeks.

OP posts:
KT63 · 17/04/2018 07:27

Sounds like you and your kids are better off without him.

DanceDisaster · 17/04/2018 07:36

I think you’re probably doing the right thing op. I think he is a bit of a man child. I imagine he would drive you potty if the relationship continued.

KalaLaka · 17/04/2018 11:59

Best example was his artificial Christmas tree stayed up until February because he couldn't be arsed putting it away. It was taken down in January at some point then sat in the box in the lounge for about 6 weeks.

This is me! (Not lazy, just busy... and prioritizing)

FizzyGreenWater · 17/04/2018 12:13

I really like him and he makes me laugh and we have a great time together but I think fundamentally we are too different for things to work, especially when it comes to children and discipline.

I was going to post, how about you correct that to 'fundamentally he's a lazy twat with no manners who is busy teaching his kids to be exactly the same, that's when he bothers to do anything to parent them at all'

  • but I see you got there before me and have dumped him.

Well done, your kids must be ecstatic!

cheeseycrackers · 17/04/2018 12:37

Kala he only has his kids alternate weeks and works from home spends most of his days on Facebook, at costa, or shopping, doing anything but work so he has no excuse other than laziness.
Fizzy I thought they'd be upset because they'd no longer get a lift to school some days or get to go out as much to places (I don't drive) but their response was relief at no Daisy and Henry. Those 5 get togethers obviously had a huge impact. They really liked my BF too so they must have thought his kids really bad to be focused on them rather than the outings they'll be missing out on.

BF says I'm being ridiculous on all points as to why I've finished with himHmm

OP posts:
GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 17/04/2018 12:55

He sounds like my ex! Even down to the lazy parenting and 'working from home' (actually lying on the sofa watching movies). His parenting was terrible. And as a result, his kids' behaviour was terrible.

I feel very sorry for his kids, sounds like they are both lousy parents. However, you are putting your kids first so well done you.

Weezol · 17/04/2018 13:01

'He would [say that], wouldn't he?' - Mandy Rice Davies (Profumo)

Of course he says it's ridiculous. Because it means he'll have no one facilitating him. He'd be better off concentrating on what he's going to do when 8 yo is with him full time as that's what his ex is threatening.

QueenDaisy · 17/04/2018 14:00

You’ve done the right thing, he’ll probably try to change your mind, but you need to stick to your guns Flowers

WhereYouLeftIt · 17/04/2018 14:01

"BF says I'm being ridiculous on all points as to why I've finished with himHmm"
I'm sure from his point of view it is ridiculous. Because he's not really capable of seeing things through other's eyes (leaving things where people can trip over them in the dark, for instance). As the centre of the Universe, your reluctance to pay obeisance to him is indeed ridiculous. Meanwhile, back in the real world, it's clear he's not going to change as he sees absolutely no reason to do so. After all, "he says what he's doing is working". Who it's working for, only he can tell.

Your children's response is very telling. And very mature, you've obviously done a great job raising them. Best wishes OP.

MissP103 · 17/04/2018 15:24

Your kids relief confirms you made the right decision. There would have been a lot of problems with all 3 of them down the line.

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