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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be fed up with my partner's existing child :(

65 replies

minilemonade · 01/10/2018 09:40

I feel horrible about this but here goes. I'm currently 20 weeks pregnant after a lot of cancer treatment and being told I'd be infertile it was a very happy accident. Currently off sick because while the baby is doing well, the symptoms have shot me down. I'm 29 and my partner is 41, he's Australian and already has a son from a teenage pregnancy. So the son is 23.

Son lives in Australia normally so not something I have to deal with on a regular basis but he's currently staying with us for a year (until January) this was discussed with me and I didn't see any problems at the time because I assumed he'd be an adult and help around the house etc. The plan was he spends a couple of months travelling around Europe and then come and live with us, find a job and work full time for the rest of the year.

He did the travel, moved in with us, obviously not having a job. He didn't manage to get a job until August so he's been living here for free, food and everything included and not helping at all around the house,he just sits on his laptop all day when he's home and stops for food and sleep, and his sleeping pattern is just all over the shop.

Now he has a job, he spent his entire first pay on a holiday to Ireland, didn't give us any money (we asked for £200 a month) then the next month he did give us money but he's kept phoning in sick and not bothering to go to work. He's clearly going to get the sack and honestly I hate him being here all day every day. I need time to myself which I don't get at all and neither does my partner. It would be fine if he at least tried helping, doing dishes, cleaning etc but none of that happens. And it seems pointless threatening him with anything because we can't kick him out or stop feeding him. The stress is making me more ill and I'm getting more pregnant and less able to clean a whole house. My partner works really long hours so it's just me and him all day for four days a week and I can't stand it.

OP posts:
Sicario · 01/10/2018 12:12

You are on a hiding to nothing. He won't listen, and he won't change because he doesn't have to. Lazy feckless little bastard.

Are you able to go all zen and somehow blot it from your mind? You and your pregnancy come first and foremost, and must be your priority. Perhaps you can take a few days away for some pampering and looking after?

tamzinro · 01/10/2018 12:22

@minilemonade has he got depression? It's great that you are helping him out , he will definitely appreciate it , please don't throw him out as it will cause a lot of friction .

tamzinro · 01/10/2018 12:22

@minilemonade remember you don't know how he was brought up by the mother so he may have had 23 years of not having a care in the world

CaptSkippy · 01/10/2018 12:29

It's not about being a step parents. This is your home and your step son is being a rude, inconsiderate, freeloading visitor. Imagine if one of your friends acted that way when visiting you for an extended period of time. You would chuck them out too, just to teach them that you deserve to be treated better.

AgentJohnson · 01/10/2018 12:32

You can kick him out and you can not feed or clean up after him but you choose to. Everyone is responsible for their role in a relationship dynamic and currently you and your partner are behaving like helpless doormats. Handwringing never changes a status quo you’re unhappy with.

If he wants hotel service he needs to stay in one, it’s quite simple, he shapes up or ships out.

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 01/10/2018 12:44

Treat him like a flatmate, not like your step child.

DPotter · 01/10/2018 17:20

You might not think / or want it to be your job to pull him up on things, but the situation is that the man whose job it is, hasn't done a good job and you're still suffering the consequences. So your choices are

  1. have another go at your DP
  2. do nothing and suffer the continuing poor situation
  3. show your DP how it's done and pull the son up

2 out of the 3 options require action on your part - irritating but that's the joy of family life......

GabsAlot · 01/10/2018 17:57

hos son must come first what over his wife who is prgnant and cancer?

sorry to say the cliche u have a dh problem

GabsAlot · 01/10/2018 17:58

oh and qwhy cant he go to back to oz sorry its not mandatory to stay here till jan is it

whatwouldkeithRichardsdo2 · 01/10/2018 18:03

Is he still leaving in January for sure? If so, having the end in sight is something. You need to get him to stick to that and no, he wouldn't be welcome back.

Turn off the WiFi if he's an arsehole. You can do this when home alone with him. Just change the password and go out. Make it uncomfortable. 🤷‍♀️

His father has to deal with him. He's antisocial and unpleasant to be around. Make your partner parent his child, even if he is 22. It's not your problem but also not something you have to tolerate.

MrsFrankDrebin · 01/10/2018 19:34

He's 23? One of my DC is 23, lives at home again after uni, but has a job, pays rent and helps around the house. That's the minimum to expect, isn't it? Your DP needs to step up. His son is an adult, making choices and no one's calling him out on them!

AnotherEmma · 01/10/2018 19:40

You say partner not husband, so I assume you’re not married?

Mortgage or rented - whose name is the house in?

Maelstrop · 01/10/2018 19:42

He sounds disgusting. You’re increasingly pregnant and he’s just slopping round doing fuck all? You clearly have a DP problem, but seriously, love, just stop doing anything for either of them and they will HAVE to step up.

lynmilne65 · 01/10/2018 21:34

Oh is that what the WPS is for!!!Blush

WhateverHappenedToTheHeatwave · 01/10/2018 22:13

Chuck out the lazy shit.

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