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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:
Dotto · 14/12/2024 10:25

Nothing will change unless your boyfriend lays down the law, which he won't. He'll pull the same misogynistic bullshit again.

He doesn't love you if he is happy to run your household like this.

Therefore you either put up with this shit show or get out. I'd recommend the latter.

Coconutter24 · 14/12/2024 10:33

downhillpenguin · 14/12/2024 10:01

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

Tbf neither is your post but here you are lol

Vaxtable · 14/12/2024 10:39

So you tell your partner that he needs to cover Bobs costs so needs to increase his payment to the joint account to cover bills and food by xxx. If he can’t then he gets another job, or he tells Bob to

Bellyblueboy · 14/12/2024 10:39

I voted you are being unreasonable because you are being a doormat.

It doesn’t sound like your boyfriend has much respect for you. You are expected to fund his adult child who contributes very little financially to the household. If his dad wants to support him, fine. But he should actually cover his costs in the household. I am amazed that he is happy for you to have any additional costs as a result of his lazy son!

have a conversation - say this is not what you signed up to and you shouldn’t be supporting his adult son.

The poor parenting choices are for his dad to fund not you

Rosscameasdoody · 14/12/2024 10:44

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.

OP can’t ask her partner to move out - they own their home jointly.

Snazzysausage · 14/12/2024 10:44

Good lord. A very strong sit down and lay it on the line how things must change conversation is well overdue here. Calculations of the expenses incurred that you're covering to enable him to live at home and the expectation that he covers that at a minimum. This supposedly grown adult thinks it's acceptable to scoff all the food and remove your wet washing leaving it dumped so he can use the airer?!
This is a situation where
"Don't be like Bob" has never been more apt.

downhillpenguin · 14/12/2024 10:47

Coconutter24 · 14/12/2024 10:33

Tbf neither is your post but here you are lol

It wasn’t me complaing so why the lol. Weird. I agree with @Beezknees and it’s a public chat forum, not everything has to be ’helpful’ for people to post.

peachystormy · 14/12/2024 10:49

@downhillpenguin oh god shut up the lot of you

feelingalittlehorse · 14/12/2024 10:53

£100 a MONTH?!?? Can I move in, OP?

This guy is a waste of space. And he has absolutely zero respect for you. If he can’t contribute suitably to the household bills then Dad of The Year will have to step up and cover his share.

A side issue is that this 21yo man child is basically being taught that he can laze about, do whatever he wants- but don’t worry. A woman will run round after him and sort everything out. Not a good start.

feelingalittlehorse · 14/12/2024 10:55

And the comment “so when is your period due?” from your partner when you are raising valid concerns that affect your relationship?

I can see where the son got his flippant attitude to respect from…..

sunflowersngunpowdr · 14/12/2024 10:58

Your soulmate sounds like poor father and a poor provider with poor communication skills. Are you sure you want to marry him? Yea you are a wicked step mother because like so many step mothers you are projecting your frustration with your boyfriend on to his son.

Whoyoutakingto · 14/12/2024 10:58

In all situations work, friends or home life if you don’t speak up ppl will be disrespectful and take advantage. My son is 21 and is back at home for a year from university doing a work placement. He is out of the house 7.15am and back 7.30 to 8.30 pm Five days. He contributes £200 a month and sorts own treats and lunches mostly. I do all washing, cooking and cleaning because I am doing it for myself anyway and because he is out of the house so much. He goes to the gym most days and ideally sees friends on a weekend. I think this is a healthy balance. If he worked less I would expect more. If I ask him to do something he will and we talk like adults about our day etc every evening minimum 20 mins. He also helps his Aunt 75years old with anything she asks eg gardening, lifting etc. Your step son needs a strong word, needs to grow up and become an adult that contributes to the home and society.

LuckySantangelo35 · 14/12/2024 11:10

GildedRage · 14/12/2024 03:29

21yr old males are hungry hungry creatures.
12 chocolate bars over x many days is control :).

@GildedRage

no, it’s not, its pure greed

Coconutter24 · 14/12/2024 11:11

downhillpenguin · 14/12/2024 10:47

It wasn’t me complaing so why the lol. Weird. I agree with @Beezknees and it’s a public chat forum, not everything has to be ’helpful’ for people to post.

not everything has to be ’helpful’ for people to post.

aren’t you contradicting yourself there then because you pointed out my post wasn’t helpful but by that comment not everything needs to be helpful, so why point it out 🤷‍♀️

LuckySantangelo35 · 14/12/2024 11:18

@MyKidsHavePaws

oh and I’d dump my partner if he made that period comment to me. Misogynist.

Shmee1988 · 14/12/2024 11:24

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.

Wow. Bit harsh. OP is absolutely entitled to belive that her partner is the person she was destined to be with. Youre either single and bitter about it or in a relationship where you don't feel this about your partner and bitter about it but either way don't put your gloomy ideas of love on other people. Christ alive!!
OP i love that you have found your soul mate :)

Bettyboo111 · 14/12/2024 11:25

I think intergenerational living will become more prevalent as the old concept of moving out, buying a house, and marriage is dying. Nevertheless, the son is an adult, and he needs to contribute financially and pull his weight around the home. Otherwise, he just becomes an overgrown toddler.

LuckySantangelo35 · 14/12/2024 11:27

Curlygirly66 · 14/12/2024 08:09

Some people just don’t know how ‘lucky’ they are. Bob sounds an absolute delight and who wouldn’t welcome the selfish, lazy, entitled prick with open arms. Do you fancy a lodger …???

@BecuaseIWantItThatWay

why do you think she’s getting lucky with him and that he’s doing her a good deal?! He barely works, does fuck all around the house and eats all her food!

oh and OP earns the money so it’s up to her what she spends it on. If she wants to buy chocolate for her mates then she can. His son can buy his own chocolate if he wants chocolate.

AlexaSetATimer · 14/12/2024 11:32

No way would I marry a man who doesn't make sure his adult son is respectful, lets me take a second job to the detriment of my health, and mocks me with misogynistic "period = hysterical" talk.

This man is not your soulmate. He's a prick and so is his son. The apple didn't fall far from the tree.

peachystormy · 14/12/2024 11:34

Whoyoutakingto · 14/12/2024 10:58

In all situations work, friends or home life if you don’t speak up ppl will be disrespectful and take advantage. My son is 21 and is back at home for a year from university doing a work placement. He is out of the house 7.15am and back 7.30 to 8.30 pm Five days. He contributes £200 a month and sorts own treats and lunches mostly. I do all washing, cooking and cleaning because I am doing it for myself anyway and because he is out of the house so much. He goes to the gym most days and ideally sees friends on a weekend. I think this is a healthy balance. If he worked less I would expect more. If I ask him to do something he will and we talk like adults about our day etc every evening minimum 20 mins. He also helps his Aunt 75years old with anything she asks eg gardening, lifting etc. Your step son needs a strong word, needs to grow up and become an adult that contributes to the home and society.

👏🏼👏🏼 to all of this, Bob could take quite a few tips here

MILLYmo0se · 14/12/2024 11:35

Bob is his son so he needs to carry the financial load of him being in the home. Bob can pay his dad the £100 and dad can pay 2/3rds of the electricity bill and for all of his and Bob's food etc. Is he doing anything to save for this wedding given you both earn the same, or is it just you that's going to be covering the cost of it?

AmethystRuby · 14/12/2024 11:44

LuckySantangelo35 · 14/12/2024 11:18

@MyKidsHavePaws

oh and I’d dump my partner if he made that period comment to me. Misogynist.

would you though? really? i mean yeah tell him that comment is way off, but dump him? planning a wedding and bought a house together. dump him for that? come off it

ItOnlyTakesTwoMinutes · 14/12/2024 11:46

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.

So far from the point of the thread. Get a life.

Bettyboo111 · 14/12/2024 11:49

AmethystRuby · 14/12/2024 11:44

would you though? really? i mean yeah tell him that comment is way off, but dump him? planning a wedding and bought a house together. dump him for that? come off it

The default is LTB all of the time. It's so boorish.

BogusHocusPocus · 14/12/2024 11:51

Let Bob's dad sort out a housing solution for Bob. A room in a shared house with other 20-something year olds would be the age-appropriate way for Bob to live.

Bob's housing MUST not continue to be your problem, Bob still has both of his parents. You are not his parent.

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