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Is this inappropriate

11 replies

whoknowsidont · 15/03/2020 19:29

Nc as it's quite outing if anyone were to see this.

Background info for context - DSS7 lives with us full time as his dm has severe mental health problems and there were serious concerns about neglect. After a period of him living with us in order for her to recoup social services decided that it is best he now live with us full time permanently and have contact with his mum. It's a very sad situation, and she is very unwell.

He is v happy living here and seeing his mum every other friday and Saturday night, and every Wednesday for a few hours. She cannot have him overnight on school nights. Obviously time with her is extremely important to him and so it's important to us to make sure he has that time. She struggles to collect him etc so OH does all drops offs and collections.

When she had her first overnight with DSS after her breakdown last summer, she stayed with DSS at a male friends house and DSS slept in this friends bed. He says mummy and the friend slept on the sofa. The social worker advised her this wasn't really ok and that he was to sleep in his own bed when with her at her house as it's important that when he's with her he's in amongst his own things and it's as 'normal' for him as possible.

She agreed and we all moved on.

DSS has come back from two overnights with his mum and told us that last night he stayed at a different male friends house overnight. He says it got too late to go home.

We don't know this male friend. DSS has two precious nights with his mum a fortnight, which in our opinion should be spent in his own bed where he has his own things and a normal routine.

I like to think we're pretty chilled out people, but I feel unable to think 'outside the box' here and all we feel is seriously uneasy. I'm sure this male friend is a perfectly lovely person, and that DSS had a nice time. If we say anything to DSS's mum we risk a serious fallout, communications are hanging by a thread as it is.

How would you feel about this? I need some outside perspective, there is so much clouding our judgement here.

OP posts:
DorotheaHomeAlone · 15/03/2020 19:35

Your judgement doesn’t sound clouded to me. I would not be at all happy with this given how often he sees her and combined vs with the severe mh issues. You’ve stated before that this is bit on. Sounds like she needs to hear it again and with the possible consequences (daytime contact only) spelled out.

DorotheaHomeAlone · 15/03/2020 19:35

Not on.

whoknowsidont · 15/03/2020 19:43

Thanks for the replies.

He was in a spare room and his mum was there, maybe this makes a difference

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ScabbyHorse · 15/03/2020 19:49

I agree this is not appropriate, she should be valuing time with the son more highly. Especially as the social worker has already advised her not to do this! She should be giving him a consistent, normal routine and building trust up again.

sunshinewishes · 15/03/2020 19:52

It's not appropriate and it's really unnecessary as well.

She has a limited time with him with a prolonged gap. Surely her main priority should be quality time with him to rebuild that relationship and make solid foundations.

I don't think YBU in the slightest and I would be asking her why she is unable to meet the really simply criteria that has been laid out to support her relationship with her son.

Clymene · 15/03/2020 19:52

She has 12 nights out of every 14 to sleep where she likes. Unless she's homeless (is there any chance this could be the case?), it's entirely inappropriate and you should tell the social worker.

Your step son's safety and well-being must be the priority

Invisimamma · 15/03/2020 20:03

She's not prioritising her son. She's already been told this is not okay.

Tell the social worker and let her follow it up.

Spied · 15/03/2020 20:09

Social worker needs to know.

I'd be really upset DM doesn't see what's wrong with what she's doing.
I'd really worry about her judgement.

whoknowsidont · 15/03/2020 22:19

She has boundary issues and is a bit, strange? I think that's the best way I can put it.

We have not told child benefit that we are resident parents so that she keeps her housing benefit for a two bed flat. However it appears she's never actually in this flat anyway.

We no longer have a case worker as he is now deemed to be out of harms way as he lives with us.

OP posts:
Pentium85 · 15/03/2020 22:24

shes not prioritising her son

This.

I would have concerns

Windyatthebeach · 15/03/2020 22:24

Sadly I would report her to ss.
Is it going to be a new male friend every time she has dss?

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