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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Am I being the wicked stepmother?!

172 replies

MyKidsHavePaws · 14/12/2024 02:55

Long winded but here goes. I’m with my partner 3 years. We got engaged very recently. Due to his own personal circumstances, he moved in with me super quick - after 2 months, but we are soulmates and I was delighted he did. His son followed suit 8 months later. His son is an adult - now 21. We’ll call him Bob. Bob was never “supposed to move in” but was staying a couple nights a week and then just never went back home - issues with mother. OH and I bought a house together just over a year ago. Which Bob also lives in. He contributes 100 a month to live with us.

Since I’ve known Bob, he has completed a levels (not good grades) had a part time job he got sacked from, got a full time job, which he reduced to part time and now is going to reduce to “relief” hours. He is repeating an a level with a view to going to uni. But only attends that class about half the time and has now declared he doesn’t think he’ll get into uni so doesn’t know what he’ll do. He does not contribute in any way to the household - he doesn’t empty a dishwasher - if the dishwasher is full he’ll just leave dishes in the sink. His dad cleans his bathroom for him. To be fair Bob does his own washing, but an example - I have stuff on the indoor air dryer at this time of year. He will literally remove my still damp stuff, to hang up his own. He doesn’t even bring that much personality to the table as we could literally go days without so much as a hello.

Up til this point he has pretty much bought and cooked his own food but because money is now tight with him reducing hours - he’s now started to eat all our food. Example - I made sausages one night for tea, he was offered some - declined. I purposefully cooked extra because I was on a long day at work the next day. I wrapped them up in 2 separate foil packages. One for me, one for OH. By time I was leaving for work at 4am, BOTH were gone. When I text Bob, the reply I got was “oops”. No apology. I was working away, so whilst on phone to OH next night, I was upset about it and he said “so when is your period due again?!” 🤬

I had friends over last weekend and bought lots of nice treats including 12 bars of chocolate. Bob ate every single one in the space of 3/4 days. And thinks it’s acceptable?!

I have settled myself that he lives with us - for how long I do not know. But am I being unreasonable that I’m now expected to financially maintain another adult?! What OH and I contribute to the joint account along with Bobs £100, by the time bills are paid, there is just £150 for groceries. All the food and cleaning products and toilet roll… for a month for £150. Needless to say I always spend a lot more.

I love my OH dearly. So much. His son is the only thing we argue about. He has dad guilt - even though the failure of his first marriage was not his fault. But I feel like I’m banging my head against a brick wall. Am I being unreasonable to ask for a bit of respect our home?

Also for a bit more perspective, I have health problems. I work part time, but earn the same amount as OH. As we now have a wedding to pay for, I’ve picked up a second job… even though it’s quite literally destroying my health. Yet Bob can see fit to reduce his hours to “relief” and is a fit and healthy 21 year old.

OP posts:
Plastictrees · 14/12/2024 08:49

GravyBoatWars · 14/12/2024 05:54

I suspect that this is not what you really want to hear, but you have a serious DP and relationship problem. Bob is just a symptom. Your DP is failing his child by allowing him to live with you with no real responsibilities or expectations. He doesn't want to do the uncomfortable work of actually parenting his son or setting boundaries, and he's perfectly willing to sacrifice your happiness and comfort in your own home in the bargain. Is that really what you want in a husband?

As to Bob and the examples you gave... the entire situation is unreasonable and you are justifiably unhappy. When we have so many negative feelings about the wider situation it's easy to be unreasonable about specific incidents. The sausages and chocolate are examples of that IMO. Unless Bob had a reason to know that you were saving those items or there is a rule in place that he won't eat food he hasn't bought or been specifically offered then eating two cold sausages from the fridge and 12 chocolate bars over 4 days is not unreasonable. But when the person in question is constantly showing zero regard for you, has poor boundaries, isn't contributing to the household, and you'd like them not to be there at all, even the reasonable things they do become infused with your negative feelings. If you get focused on those little incidents and make the discussions with your DP about them you're not going to get anywhere - the underlying issue has to be addressed.

DP is going to have to step up to parent his son and show he cares about your feelings and your wishes for your life and home together. Otherwise frankly you shouldn't be progressing this relationship.

And for the love of god please don't have children with this man.

This is spot on.

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 14/12/2024 08:50

You say that this is the only thing you argue about but its absolutely huge. Your husband is fine with you financially supporting another adult, he is fine with another adult in your space disrespecting you and he is fine with you, even though you've not got great health, picking up the slack on housework etc for another adult. He is literally putting his discomfort at treating his son like a grown up and expecting him to contribute, over your health, finances, time, and feelings. This is not a minor issue and I can't see how you can put up with this indefinitely. Put your wedding plans on hold, and have a serious discussion about how this is affecting your marriage.

BookGoblin · 14/12/2024 08:51

Why is your partner so poor at parenting and so rude to you? Your standards for yourself are very low

I'd postpone your wedding until your partner learns some manners.

NarnianQueen · 14/12/2024 08:54

It's bonkers that over let these two men move in and take over your life

And that your soulmate is someone who resorts to childish jibes about pmt when you try to raise a legitimate concern

And will let you run yourself ragged to pay for your wedding!

I'd have a serious re-think about the whole thing if I were you

Porcuporpoise · 14/12/2024 08:58

If you are going to live with Bob you need to spell out the rules as you would with a young teenager:
No moving wet washing
You need to empty the dishwasher and not leave your dishes in the sink
This is the food you can eat/this is the food you need to leave alone.

If he can't follow the rules you can't live together.

NicolaCasanova · 14/12/2024 09:00

Bob needs to clean his own bathroom and unload the dishwasher. Can you buy him his own clothes airer? Otherwise perhaps say, oh Bob the airer is free now if you want to do some washing?

Given his financial situation, I think it is kind/reasonable if you include him in meals when all 3 of you are home, if he refuses then the 3 of you need to agree what food he can eat and expectations around his cooking, e.g. cleaning pans . Also like with teenagers (he is much closer to being a teenager than your age), make it clear what is treat/special food/somebody’s packed lunch that cannot be grazed on.

Bob’s job and studies I would leave to his dad.

LivelyHare · 14/12/2024 09:02

I’ve put that you are being unreasonable, OP. Unreasonable for allowing your ‘soulmate’ to treat you and speak to you like this. Wake up! You are being used!

Hamserfan · 14/12/2024 09:07

Totally get your frustration. He should pay to replace the chocolate that you had bought. Your OH needs to have a talk with him about expectations if he is to money living with you guys.

My 21 year old is home having dropped out of uni, he’s my son and I love him to bits. He is however a rubbish housemate, in terms of consideration for the rest of us. Also spends too much time gaming whilst trying to find a job.

Please don’t get married until this aspect is resolved. Don’t work yourself into the ground to pay for it either. Register office is always an option!

loveawineloveacrisp · 14/12/2024 09:08

femfemlicious · 14/12/2024 03:38

If I were you I would forget about planning a wedding until this is sorted

Completely agree.

AmICrazyToEvenBother · 14/12/2024 09:08

blippityblop5 · 14/12/2024 03:34

What a way to be a unhelpful. Your opinion on her use of the word 'soulmate' is irrelevant.

But it's not, is it? I think it's quite significant. People are quite willing to turn a blind eye and put up with shit they really shouldn't because of infantile, romantic notions like 'soulmates'.

Bob is OP's partners son - he needs to deal with him.

HideousKinky · 14/12/2024 09:12

so when is your period due again?

Is this really how he speaks to you when you raise an issue?
I would not tolerate this

Cardinalita90 · 14/12/2024 09:15

You need to bottom this out with your partner before the wedding. No good starting a marriage stressed and disagreeing about an important issue that wont be going away anytime soon. Perhaps couples therapy can help if you're struggling to make headway?

AmethystRuby · 14/12/2024 09:17

bob is going to be OP's stepson soon. they both need to deal with him its not just a DP problem. OP has been living with bob for a few years now, she needs to get involved. and whilst i dont believe in 'soulmates' if someone does, good on them.

downhillpenguin · 14/12/2024 09:19

soulmates.. 😂👍🏼

Must be a dream future DH. Can’t parent or guide his own child, blames menstruation when you speak up, lets you get a second job to pay for the wedding even though you have health problems.

Sounds great!

howshouldibehave · 14/12/2024 09:20

was working away, so whilst on phone to OH next night, I was upset about it and he said “so when is your period due again

I would not marry a man that said this.

Due to his own personal circumstances, he moved in with me super quick-after 2 months

What were the circumstances that this man (and later, his useless son) needed to move in with you?

I would cancel the wedding and ask them to both move out whilst you do some thinking. It sounds to me like they are treating you as a cash cow that rather annoyingly has feelings they don’t want to hear about.

Coconutter24 · 14/12/2024 09:26

Beezknees · 14/12/2024 03:20

It's language my 16 year old would use, not a grown adult! And I'd tell my 16yo he was being ridiculous as well.

Out of the post this is what you’re picking up on, the fact OP described her and her partner as soulmates? Just because you don’t believe in them doesn’t mean OP can’t. OP doesn’t sound ridiculous, you do for being so judgey and bringing nothing helpful to the post

CrazyGoatLady · 14/12/2024 09:33

GravyBoatWars · 14/12/2024 06:05

I'm going to ruffle some mumsnet feathers here, but allowing a 21 year old (absent any disabilities) to live in the parents' home indefinitely with almost no responsibilities, no requirements for being a respectful, pleasant person to live with, and no expectations that they are progressing towards independent adult life in a meaningful way is shitty parenting.

Adult independence/freedom and responsibility are supposed to be coupled together - you earn money and put in the effort required to run a home and support yourself and the reward is getting to have your own place, live as you please within your means, choose who you spend time around, etc. This pairing of freedom and responsibility should be introduced gradually through childhood and adolescence until they're ready to go live on their own as a fully functional adult. Not everyone is ready to do that at 18 and it's great for parents who have the ability to continue to provide a scaffolding system to help get their kids there, but that doesn't mean decoupling responsibilty from freedom. A 21 year old should not have all the freedom of an adult but fewer expectations and responsibility around the home than a 12 year old. Most young adults stagnate when this is allowed to happen because there's no incentive to progress in the not so fun parts of being an adult (like working at least a full time job, finishing qualifications, keeping up a house, etc).

Welcoming a young adult child to live home and pay whatever rent they can afford while going to school or getting a jump financially is great if that adult child is expected to actually behave like an adult - adults who can't afford their own place have to behave and contribute in a way that someone (a flatmate, friend or romantic partner) wants to share a home with them. If they're not doing that at 18 or 21 or 24 then they either need to be actively parented until they're there or allowed to go off and do it themselves.

Couldn't agree more @GravyBoatWars

My DC are teens, one approaching adulthood and both are ND, and even with ND accounted for, they will absolutely not be allowed to carry on like this young man. As you say, with freedom comes responsibility and you can't have one without the other.

Stepmothers get a hard time here on MN, a lot of people seem to think that because a child's parents split up, the child can behave exactly how they like, even well into adulthood. I'd argue there is a distinction to be made between feelings and behaviour. The way an adult child may feel about their situation may be understandable, but is it ok for them to act that out? No, especially not at 21.

I do not particularly like my SM and never have. I did not want half siblings with a big age gap, or to be responsible for caring for them through most of my teens whenever I visited them. But damn straight if I'd ever treated my SM or siblings badly, both of my parents would have given me short shift. Even my mum!

peachystormy · 14/12/2024 09:33

Petrasings · 14/12/2024 05:15

Bobs father is a useless parent.
Where is the guidance? The parenting? The boundaries? The insistence on good manners like greeting other people in the mornings? The work ethic?

Bob would be packed off back to his mother. The soul mate would probably follow suit. I would not stand for any of this. No way.

exactly all of this ☝️

peachystormy · 14/12/2024 09:34

Codlingmoths · 14/12/2024 05:28

Oh, let me state this really fucking clearly. 21yos who eat my food move out. I am working more than my health really allows and paying the costs of it to save for our wedding, and he’s a healthy young man not working or even contributing to his own costs. He had a month to have a job or move out and if he eats my food he has a day to move out.

😂😂 luv it .

saying oops and no apology for eating all of the chocolate bars. That's just plain rude

arethereanyleftatall · 14/12/2024 09:37

I think you need to do some serious work op on why you think you're in love and soulmates with someone who treats you like shit.

Youre query about are you a wicked stepmother in to a description of how these two blokes are taking the piss out of you, tells a story of how much you value yourself.

Get a plan to get rid of these two blokes and please learn to value yourself.

Dweetfidilove · 14/12/2024 09:50

Day after day I read about women contorting themselves to pay for all sorts, proving their independence, making sure men don't have to as much as buy their children an ice lolly let alone grocery, paying 9/10ths of the rent, holidays blah blah blah blah blah... Literally running themselves into debt or unable to buy new underwear as they are showing their men what enlightened, independent, worthy women they are.

Then I read about men... Bob's dad, like a ninja... slid into my home as soon as we said the first hello. Then his kids had problems at home, so they crept in too. Now I'm putting Bob's name on my mortgage/tenancy/sold my home to buy one with Bob's dad as he couldn't otherwise get on the property ladder or affordsomethingbig enoughfor him amd his offsprings... Bob's dad pay enough into the joint account to pay the bills (hopefully), but now I don't have enough for food for all of us / I can't take my children to the cinema/afford a holiday/ buy new underwear/am working a 2nd job though my health is failing blah blah blah blah...
Bob and his dad are no more appreciative of my back breaking work to fund shit, than they are respectful to me. Bob doesn't even say good morning, and his dad thinks I'm just a hormonal nutter...

JFC! Bob needs to get a job or leave, or his dad needs to put more into the account to cover the expenses of the lazy person he's enabling. They're both taking the piss.

And you need to stop killing yourself to pay for this wedding. You drop dead and Bob will have a new stepmother before you're even cold.

HoppityBun · 14/12/2024 09:56

Bob and his dad are, effectively, the same person

downhillpenguin · 14/12/2024 10:01

Coconutter24 · 14/12/2024 09:26

Out of the post this is what you’re picking up on, the fact OP described her and her partner as soulmates? Just because you don’t believe in them doesn’t mean OP can’t. OP doesn’t sound ridiculous, you do for being so judgey and bringing nothing helpful to the post

Tbf neither is your post, complaining about what people are allowed to post.

turkeyboots · 14/12/2024 10:01

YABU to marry this man. At least until all of this is sorted.
Bob could well be living with you into his 40s unless something changes. You kicking them out may have to be that chance for him and his Dad.

howshouldibehave · 14/12/2024 10:17

Due to his own personal circumstances, he moved in with me super quick

I would really like to know the reasons why he moved in with you-I think it might be useful when people are giving you advice about how to manage this situation, @MyKidsHavePaws

I think it’s 99% likely-as it is in many cases where a man moves very quickly into a woman’s house-that your problem isn’t what you think it is, but it’s actually a partner problem.

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