Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Divorce/separation

Here you'll find divorce help and support from other Mners. For legal advice, you may find Advice Now guides useful.

Can’t set boundaries with my kids.

5 replies

wildlingtribe · 13/04/2025 20:14

I feel so torn when I try to implement boundaries with my children as their non-resident other parent does the opposite. feeling like I’m never allowed to say ‘no’, involving screens etc too.

experience or tips?

ages 9-15.

OP posts:
millymollymoomoo · 13/04/2025 21:41

Children need boundaries

you’re not their friend you’re their parent
and it’s your job to instil boundaries, but also fir your children to learn the emotional resilience of being told no, dealing with situations they don’t like, not getting their way etc.

You’re doing them a disservice to just give jn

the 15 yo will have different rules to the 9 yo

climbelon · 13/04/2025 21:44

My child is much younger, but I've had advice for the future to explain that there are different rules at mum and dad's house, so you set your boundaries for your house regardless of what they get to do at dad's

wildlingtribe · 14/04/2025 07:57

I totally agree and that’s what I do. However, there is no court order in place at the moment and it seems that whenever I say no, or set a boundary, they run off to their Dads and don’t come back (eldest two have done.) he just allows this. And uses it against me. He’s given them choices to literally not come back home at all, and blocked contact with me.

he doesn’t have boundaries.

example with screens - a limit here, but while with him the time has been 17 hours screen time? In a day?

OP posts:
localhere · 14/04/2025 12:23

Stick with it. Children grow up and they’ll remember who they felt safe with

BookArt55 · 14/04/2025 22:23

Have you sat down individually with one kid at a time and come up with a compromise? As a parent you are in charge, I couldn't agree more, but we also need to teach a 15 year old about self regulation and that somes things must be done (chores, homework, etc) and screen time is fun but not everything. Start with one thing, not a whole list, share that topic with them and set a date/time to meet about it. At the date/time, Share what you think is suitable, let them share their view uninterrupted, come to a reasonable compromise. They then have more ownership, you both share your views calmly so everyone feels heard, jt will support you by not having a constant battle or your fear of losing your kids while they run to dad's. This will then also develop your relationship about open and honest conversations. They will feel safe with you knowing you'll listen and it will feed out to other areas.

Once one thing is cemented, offer for your child to raise something that matters to them, and you also bring a topic.

I would say that some things are non negotiable; medicine, contributingto house chores, etc, that is a parent's job to decide. But if you can give that element of control to a teen/child in ways where possible (say screen time) then it helps counteract the parts of life where what mum says is happening, no discussion.

I do feel for you having the running to dad situation. I work in a secondary school and have realised that kids/teens like and need boundaries, but also want to have some control/say over their life. But they also need to understand that parent's, future bosses won't always give them what they want exactly how they want it.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread