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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not want to have stepchild for weekend after baby is born

485 replies

adviceneeded89 · 29/01/2019 20:33

I'm probably going to sound like a wicked step mother here but need to know if I am being unreasonable to not want to have SS for the weekend straight after my baby is born. I am due to be induced on a Thursday and all going well I should be home with baby by the weekend. We normally have SS that weekend but I have asked DH if it's possible to have SS during the day so he can meet his brother but not over night. DH seemed confused at my request but said his priority will be me and baby. I just want some time for just us without DH having to look after 3 people. Am I being selfish ?

OP posts:
MaryShelley1818 · 30/01/2019 09:19

I was induced on the Monday and didn’t give birth until the Thursday. As many others have said it’s often not that fast with your first so don’t presume you’ll be home by the weekend.
If you are home, it’ll be because everything has gone smoothly, in that case I wouldn’t change arrangements for your DSS, it’s a huge deal for him and he’ll need to feel like he’s still an important part of the family.

Kko1986 · 30/01/2019 09:20

Am being well yes you could be home at the weekend but you might not you might have a c section you might be very sore take it day by day x

Atalune · 30/01/2019 09:21

Context is everything.

Boysandbuses · 30/01/2019 09:22

Nonomore3 you shouldn't have raised it? Because you didnt have a point?

If a step resents their step child, that's the step parents problem. As I said it could be another 2 weeks, potentially before th step child is back.

That's the issue. This baby and the op get to live with the childs dad all the time. This child doesn't. If you don't understand the difference and potential issues that causes, there isnt much anyone can say to make you see what a huge issue that could be.

Casschops · 30/01/2019 09:23

You are being a little mean he has equal access rights to his dad as your baby. He is not an inconvenience that can be discarded when you feel like it. I would be less than impressed if I was his mum and would feel rejected as your step son.

areyoubeingserviced · 30/01/2019 09:24

Sorry Op
You are being very unreasonable.

GummyGoddess · 30/01/2019 09:24

I don't think YABU, with my children I spent a lot of the time walking around half dressed while learning to feed and when milk came in I was feverish and mostly undressed. That's fine with your own children, but not fine with someone else's.

To pp, obviously she doesn't see ss as a 'true son' because he isn't. She doesn't have that bond with him and never will. Would you be happy for your child to be around a semi dressed new mother who everything is new for, or would you have some compassion and remember how hard it is?

Whisky2014 · 30/01/2019 09:25

YABU and I doubt your husband will forget that comment for a good while. Basically saying his kid is not part of the family and the real family is just you, dh and new baby. Not very nice.

Birdsgottafly · 30/01/2019 09:29

I took my first GD, for the night and took her out, a lot, when her sister was first born.

I think to say that an overnight isn't possible that weekend, allows for SS Mother to adjust her plans. Birth is unpredictable.

As long as he is dropped off as late as possible and picked up early.

I also think he should try for extra contact, if possible, during his Paternity Leave.

A special day out etc between him and his Dad.

Your Baby's needs are simple. Managing the emotional needs of an older child, less so. You and your DH needs to appreciate that.

Di11y · 30/01/2019 09:30

hmm, induced on thur, could you have a night at home and have him the following day and night? my eldest stayed with the grandparents for an extra night - the night we were home. you could still be in hospital for all he knows...

CantSleepWontSleep2019 · 30/01/2019 09:31

This baby and the op get to live with the childs dad all the time. This child doesn't. If you don't understand the difference and potential issues that causes, there isnt much anyone can say to make you see what a huge issue that could be.

It creates different issues for different DCs. And applying a 'one size fits all' response runs the risk of doing untold damage to DCs.

Not all DCs view their non-resident parents house as home. Not all DCs consider their NR parent an absence in their lives.

Forcing an idealised 'happy family" scenario on some NR DCs will damage them.

EcklesCakes · 30/01/2019 09:32

Not being selfish. You've tried to compromise, saying that SS can still come over during the day but just not stay over.
If new baby is YOUR first child, you'll be knackered, in pain, etc and you won't know how to deal with a baby and an older child (most likely)
Not being selfish at all

Birdsgottafly · 30/01/2019 09:32

"To pp, obviously she doesn't see ss as a 'true son' because he isn't. She doesn't have that bond with him and never will."

That doesn't apply to every Step parent/child relationship. Or in my case, Step Grandchild.

Seline · 30/01/2019 09:41

That's not true about step children not having that bond. My husband is DS1s "stepdad" but he's looked after him since he was a baby and treats him the same as DD and DS2. He considers him his son.

Piccolino2 · 30/01/2019 09:41

I've read most of the posts on this thread and honestly I think it may actually be the most ridiculous thread I have ever read. I am actually mad for you OP, you do not deserve the criticism you have got.

It is absolutely perfectly sensible to plan for your SS to not stay over that weekend. If you are at home that weekend then you can see him on the Saturday and he can meet his new sibling. Dad can look after him and he can be made to feel special and be given a lovely present from the baby and go back to sleep at his mums. We have to look at reality, new babies are often up all night in the first few days, if OP is in pain, struggling to feed and hormonal (all of which are quite likely so soon on, especially first time around) she will need her husband to be up with her. If she had had a long birth then they will both be knackered, those first few days are hard for everyone. Is this really the right environment for a 4 year old who doesn't sleep well to be in? Wouldn't it be better if he came, had attention, felt special and then went home where his mum will be fresh and be able to give him more attention? Visits will continue as normal the following weekends.

One night is not going to break a 4 year old, an upset stepmother who is struggling after birth and a father who is grumpy and may not have slept in days is much more likely to upset him. 4 year olds are full of energy and not always the easiest themselves (I know, I have one).

OP, it may be worth talking to your husband about how he will cope with looking after all of you if you happen to be out of action, for example if you end up with an EMCS. I was ruined after my first birth and I absolutely do not know how we would have coped looking after a 4 year old too, especially one who didn't live with us all the time. Btw, I am a stepmother myself. The second time around for me was much easier, at least I knew what to expect, had some confidence and had a much better birth.

Maybe everyone should remember that even stepmothers are people, they have needs and giving birth to your first baby is one of the few times when you may be absolutely dependant in your DH. One night where the plans change will not damage your SS, especially if he is made to feel special in other ways.

Would people think it's cruel and evil to change and overnight visit if the OP was having major surgery? Blended families are hard for everyone. Life and plans change at times and everyone has to adapt. The trick is to make the children feel secure in their positions and that they are loved. Sometimes this may mean not exposing them to highly emotional situations and to take into account the mental and physical health of all. After all, we are people, even stepmothers, not robots.

Seline · 30/01/2019 09:47

Blended families are hard for everyone. Life and plans change at times and everyone has to adapt. The trick is to make the children feel secure in their positions and that they are loved. Sometimes this may mean not exposing them to highly emotional situations and to take into account the mental and physical health of all.
This is what I was trying to say. Completely agree.

TheBigBangRocks · 30/01/2019 09:51

I never get why people have more chidren in a blended family or even date someone with chidren when they clearly resent them or know their partner does.

Your DH won't forget that comment I agree, it was an awful suggestion. Your DH had more than one child even if you don't like that fact. So sad how step children get pushed out once a new half sibling comes along and sad how many parents let it happen.

CantSleepWontSleep2019 · 30/01/2019 09:51

an upset stepmother who is struggling after birth and a father who is grumpy and may not have slept in days is much more likely to upset him

Well, quite.

A lot of PP have highlighted that the relationship dynamics are different between a DC and his non resident blended family. That includes processing 'non optimal' parenting.

Resident DCs can generally cope with an out of character grumpy parent causes by temporary family stresses. But a non resident DC may struggle to process the exhausted tears of their stepparent struggling with post party's body changes.

NamiAndHolly · 30/01/2019 09:52

you are being unreasonable surely the DSS is part of the family & has every right to meet his knew step sibling without it ending up in resentment & a feeling of being rejected?

And this is coming from someone with a DSS who has never wanted children.

BrilliantDarling · 30/01/2019 09:56

YANBU in the slightest. Ffs the amount of people telling the OP she's cruel and is going to affect her ss relationship is just outrageous and pathetic.

Bluelonerose · 30/01/2019 10:24

My older dc stayed with their dad the first night I came home with ds2.

You forget what newborns can be like and I thought it would be better for us to get used to the first night without having to worry about the other dc.
They came to visit him in hospital and were happy to stay with their dad that night.

Tbh if dcs dad had another baby ide offer to have dcs so that they can have their first weekend to be a family.
I'm surprised you ss mom hasn't said to swap. As long as ss is amongst the first to meet the baby I don't see the issue.

Banana8080 · 30/01/2019 10:29

If SS was your child you wouldn’t ask him to move out when younger sibling was born. Woman-up and have him over.

SEsofty · 30/01/2019 10:30

Actually what is the plan if you spontaneously go into labour when step child is with you? Are grandparents or friends going to look after the child

Surely you should be explaining to the child that you might have to go into hospital to have the baby and they will stay with whoever.

If you keep to the plan which you’ve surely be preparing the child for the last month or so then shouldn’t come as a surprise.

Boysandbuses · 30/01/2019 10:37

Actually what is the plan if you spontaneously go into labour when step child is with you? Are grandparents or friends going to look after the child

Exactly. There doesn't seem to be one. That in itself shows where dad factors in their thoughts and plans.

Poppyputthekettleon · 30/01/2019 10:40

"I just want some time for just us" - your words are very telling, you will have time for it just being the three of you, I imagine your husband has paternity leave and SS only comes for the weekend, banish others from visiting but not your SS. Your SS is part of your family and it will be very hurtful to him if he picks up on the fact his routine is changed for his new sibling, even he only takes it in subconsciously, I work with four year olds and they take a lot more in than we realise. If you do insist on him not staying then you and your DH need to make a massive fuss of SS, get DH to buy him something from the new baby. Tell him how lucky baby is to have him as a big brother. Make sure SS feels loved and safe.

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