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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Step daughter's boyfriend wants to move in

240 replies

GiftOfGob · 04/08/2021 08:37

I am new to this so please bear with me!

My SD has asked whether her boyfriend can stay in our home from Mon to Fri while he's working an hour away (and away from the flat they share). He is already living away in the week in a shared house supplied by his boss. This is about the same distance as the crow flies as our home.

Although they've been living together for years, we barely know the man as relations with SD have always been strained since we got together and have never improved even though she is long an adult now.

We have young children under 12 and my OH works long hours.

On the one occasion we asked him to help us out as we were struggling, he let us down at short notice even though we had offered to pay him.

He has never helped out when he has visited or put his hand in his pocket and offer as much as a drink to my OH yet quite happy to accept meals, going for the most expensive meal on the menu. He has been outspoken about our house and my OH's relationship with his daughter. We only ever seem to hear from them when there's a problem or they want something, be it a loan, help with a mortgage, request for money, etc. BTW these are not young people starting out in life. She is 27 and he is 35 and earning a good wage.

We live in a high octane house and would not want anyone living here full time in the week, least of all someone I've only met a handful of times and barely know and it isn't like he doesn't have another option. I have suggested he can come stay a night once in a while to break up the house sharing which I think is a fair compromise.

SD is now getting abusive and insulting towards me which is her usual MO when she doesn't get her way. She is throwing that my OH stayed with them 3 times over a course of months into the mix, hardly 4 nights a week for months. He would at least buy dinner and food for them too.

Standing firm on this, just wanted to put out the feelers to see if there are any points I'm missing...

Hope this is clear. Thank you.

OP posts:
Dillydollydingdong · 04/08/2021 18:43

You're allowed to say no. You don't need to provide a reason. Stick to your guns.

MzHz · 04/08/2021 19:03

Trouble is with letting dust settle is that it gives them the misapprehension that their suggestion is being considered/worthy of any consideration

You’re far better off nipping things in the bud rather than dragging things out

“No, sorry SD, that’s not going to work for us at all”

And if (when) there’s pushback you just say “it’s a no. It won’t work for us at all, we’re absolutely firm on this.”

MzHz · 04/08/2021 19:04

We say hell no to the demands and tantrums of my oh ex. She stopped asking. We’re off the hook now. It’s great!

GiftOfGob · 04/08/2021 19:37

MzHz, we are so on the same page😁

I urged him to respond as 1/he had agreed to and 2/it would send out the wrong message...didn't care, hesitant/in two minds...

OP posts:
GiftOfGob · 04/08/2021 19:50

So deed is done and jury out...

He turned it round and asked her how she would feel about me going to stay with them 4 nights a week on an indefinite basis?

Her answer? I am not part of 'their' family, my children are!

She made accusations about phone hacking (which stopped about 10 years ago). She can't even tell when it's her own father replying.

Of course any suggestions about rebuilding our 'family' have gone completely ignored.

He is not even dignifying it with a response.

Thank you to all you lovely Netmums for your support and solidarity today.

OP posts:
GiftOfGob · 04/08/2021 20:02

PS I hasten to add he is the grafter and she is the slacker!

OP posts:
Takenoprisoner · 04/08/2021 20:02

It's mumsnet... but we'll let that go.

Good on dh for tackling this.
So you're not family, but her partner is family and can move in willy nilly? Hmmmm. Jog on, kitty.

GiftOfGob · 04/08/2021 20:27

Precisely Takenoprisoner!😉

And yet she is still right! If only she could see this thread lol. 180 comments and counting and not one is in their favour!

OP posts:
billy1966 · 04/08/2021 21:16

OP,
Your tale should be required reading for young woman opting for weak men with children and a lifetime of drama and stress.

What an utterly toxic environment you have signed up to, and brought children into.

Both you and your children deserve better than this.

How on earth has your marriage survived with this man.

Flowers
WimpoleHat · 04/08/2021 21:21

Her answer? I am not part of 'their' family, my children are!

Then surely, by the same logic, he’s not part of “your” family, so shouldn’t be coming to stay indefinitely…..?

Onthebrink87 · 04/08/2021 21:40

Absolutely not and at 27 there is no excuse for you dd to be having a tantrum and becoming abusive when she doesn't get her own way. In fact backing down would only encourage her behaviour!

Onthebrink87 · 04/08/2021 21:49

Actually, reading more of your updates (I as a pacifist - or absolute pushover and bile inducing people pleaser) would cut the pair of them off altogether. What a dreadful pair!

GiftOfGob · 04/08/2021 21:53

Billy1966, thanks for the cautionary tale, however I was far from a young woman when I met my other OH!

In defence of my OH, he was an accidental father first time around and has always tried his best with a toxic co-parent. Even his parents and siblings could not bear it, way before me.

In our inexposure to such levels of toxicity in our lives, not tolerating this from friends or others, we had naively hoped she would grow up, find love and her twisted view of the world would fade. Alas not!

Our lives are filled with fun, love, kindness, family and friends. Hers resentment, bitterness, hatred, envy, anger. I know which I'd rather have any day!

OP posts:
GiftOfGob · 04/08/2021 21:57

Onthebrink 1987, good point!

We know an older parent who disinherited their adult children for far less!

OP posts:
Lovelybottom · 04/08/2021 22:10

What a pair of weirdos. Imagine a 35 year old man wanting to go and stay in a house with a family and young kids.

I'd have laughed in their faces. Not part of her family indeed. 'your wife'! Good luck to them.

rosalie11 · 04/08/2021 22:14

No way

MzHz · 04/08/2021 22:38

Her answer? I am not part of 'their' family, my children are!

And this boyfriend? He’s not related to ANYONE

Your SD is deluded, but thank god your H has said no.

Now she’s heard the word, it’ll be easier for her to hear it again!

MzHz · 04/08/2021 22:49

I agree with @Onthebrink87 it’s not like you have the EOW and over for tea after school on Wednesdays…

adult people only need to be in our lives if they add to it.

Our approach (after equal measure of arseholes in our pasts is “If you’re here for drama… keep walking, we’re not interested”

And that applies to everyone. We defend our peace with everything we have.

I sincerely wish you all the contentment and peace in the world, you’ve bloody earned it!

billy1966 · 04/08/2021 22:50

Get him to practice the sound of No in the mirror.

He has done her no favours by indulging her entitled mentality.

DeflatedGinDrinker · 04/08/2021 23:19

Wouldn't want a grown man staying at mine with me and my children. How odd that he even wants to.

Maggiesfarm · 05/08/2021 00:21

Her answer? I am not part of 'their' family, my children are!

Hand it over to your husband - with strict instructions.

What's the matter with the guy that he doesn't want to live in accommodation supplied by his firm? I would think that was a lot more peaceful and private than living with a family. He's not a kid needing digs.

Redarrow2017 · 05/08/2021 00:51

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SingingInTheShithouse · 05/08/2021 01:28

Clearly most people aren't pretentious enough to describe their households as "high octane" grin

ConfusedConfusedConfusedConfusedConfused

Or maybe they just have a better vocabulary than you & they are not at all pretentious in using a well known descriptive phrase. Your ignorance, does not make it pretentious 🙄

SingingInTheShithouse · 05/08/2021 01:29

& that's definitely a NO, CFers Confused

Heliachi · 05/08/2021 01:34

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