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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to stop supporting my stepdaughter while she dates her ex?

10 replies

Assistanceme98 · 23/07/2026 00:07

Stepfather here 28. My asian wife is 42. My eldest stepdaughter is 22. This is not to do with age gaps. I helped my stepdaughter financially well since she lives in a poor country compared to UK. I paid her expenses food, rent etc for months. As she was looking for work and they have no real benefit system. Long story short she dated an ex before who was very rude to me. She told me she was doing fwb with him and I told her please don't get back with him because of what he did to me. I said date anyone you want but him. Of course she now is dating the ex boyfriend despite me saying but him. After all the help and love I have this is how I am awarded. So I cut her off completely financially and emotionally. Now she and him are broke and using loan sharks and money from my wife. I told her I will help again when you leave him. I know this is controlling but it's only for him not other situations and I feel I have a right given I what he did to me. He controls her and she can't leave the house unless he comes with her. My wife supports my descion too. My question is have I gone too far should I let her date him even though he was horrible to me what if things go further how can I see him as part of the family?

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 23/07/2026 00:15

You aren't a stepfather if you are six years older than your girlfriend's daughter. It seems like you enjoy the power. You don't have the right to dictate who she can date. Supporting the family is usually part of the deal, if you are with an Asian woman.

MrSchubertWhiskers · 23/07/2026 00:20

Well you're also attempting to control her aren't you?

MrSchubertWhiskers · 23/07/2026 00:21

It's unreasonable to cut off financial support for someone you have assumed responsibility for just because they are dating someone you don't like.

Cheeseandolivesplease · 23/07/2026 00:23

@Assistanceme98 Does your wife work? Surely it is her responsibility to help financially support her own daughter, at least when she was a child?

WhereYouLeftIt · 23/07/2026 00:27

How long have you been married?

DallazMajor · 23/07/2026 05:15

He was rude to you how?

Freshstartyear25 · 23/07/2026 06:34

I know people are saying you are controlling and I also agree but I won’t be using my money to support someone who was rude to me because by supporting her, I’ll be supporting him as well. These are adults and not children.
I know the reality of having family living in 3rd world countries as I support some of mine too but I won’t be working hard and sending my hard earned money to someone whose lifestyle I don’t agree with.
You shouldn’t force anyone to do your preference when it comes to relationships as it’s not your place, in the same way, no one should guilt trip you to giving your hard earned money away when you don’t want to.

Darragon · 23/07/2026 07:44

Which Asian country is accepting of FWB?! 🤔

Loulou4022 · 23/07/2026 11:39

So you being controlling because you don’t like her being controlled by another man? Have I got that right? You need to be hanging onto the poor girl for dear life! She needs as much support as you can possibly give her so when she is ready to leave him you are there to catch her. Without your support she will never be able to leave him! By not supporting her you are pushing he into staying with him!

Thundertoast · 23/07/2026 11:41

How long have you been in this woman's life?

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