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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Is it mean to not cook for Stepson after Relationship breakdown?

182 replies

JennaSays84 · 27/01/2025 17:50

Hi all,

This is my first post here but posting because I’m in a difficult situation and not sure if what I’m planning on doing is mean, but I’ve reached my limits.

I’ve been in my relationship for 6 years now which has been verbally and emotionally abusive from about 2 years in. Some physical in the beginning too. He has tried to change but I’m finding it hard to stay in the relationship because he says sorry but carries on. I get called names, nothing as bad as it used to be but I still get snapped at and punished for pulling him up on it. He likes to bang his fists about a lot and shout and swear too.

Last week for example I told him I really wasn’t happy with the way he’s just spoken to me again, can’t remember exactly what it was but think he called me a retard. He went and slept on the floor in the living room, I tried to speak to him but he told me to shut up and get out. Then text me each day from work saying he loves me and wants things to work etc. I’ve made with clear he only means it if he stops but it happens most days and the way things are I can’t see things getting back to good again. So now this has gone on for a week and a half, him sleeping away from me, I think he’s trying to punish me because he says it’s all my fault things are like this.

Lastnight he shouted at me because he’d had a drink, I picked him up from the pub like he asked and I was sat outside waiting for 10 mins when I told him I needed to back quickly. So he ranted at me, slammed my car door really loud and told me leave his dinner (I’d been hanging on for him to get home so I could finish cooking). He told me to leave his uncooked dinner on the side because he doesn’t want me to do anything for him. I knew he was ‘starving’ because he’d told me, normally I’d still cook for him as I always do, still caring and cooking for him and his son no matter how he speaks to me. But lastnight, I thought why should I. He’d already locked himself away in his man cave ignoring me, so I did mine and the children’s, left his on the side. Petty I know, but I’d reached my limit after he’d spoken to me like dirt in front of his son. Well he’s not spoken a word to me since, not looked at me, nothing.

I’ve started looking for my own place for me and my kids.

I do most things in the house as well as working full time, cooking, cleaning washing. I cook separately for his son as he has hobbies late til gone 7pm. I get up early to make sure he’s ready for school, iron uniform and do his packed lunches. I feel really taken advantage of, even though he says I used him ( he was in a much better paying job than me in the beginning) but isn’t now, he’s using this as the reason I’m leaving, which isn’t true, it’s because I’ve had enough of the emotional abuse.

But I’ve decided I won’t be cooking dinner for us together regardless like I usually do, I’ll make myself a sandwich or something. But he will call me all kinds if I don’t make his sons, but make my own kids dinner. I’d do them all together but my kids eat hours earlier due to him not being home too gone 7. I just feel like why can’t he do it? Is it mean if I stop cooking for his son, stop doing his packed lunch and ironing his uniform til I leave? I’ve no vendetta at all, it’s just I’m exhausted, feel so down and struggling through the sadness I feel and need him to know I will be leaving and it’s something he’s now going to have to take charge of from now on.

OP posts:
Mrsttcno1 · 27/01/2025 17:53

I wouldn’t punish the child for the behaviour of his dad.

argyllherewecome · 27/01/2025 17:54

Yes it is mean. He sounds young still, and someone has to cook for him. It's not his fault his dad is a jerk. I don't understand why you need to cook seperately for him though? Surely you just give him a plate of whatever you've given your dc, and stick it in the microwave when he comes home from his hobby?

TallNeckedGiraffe · 27/01/2025 17:54

You need to put your own children first and get them out. You are doing irreparable damage to them.

MostlyHappyMummy · 27/01/2025 17:55

Yes you should stop and ask yourself why you took it all on in the first place
you'll get loads of responses telling you to be kind to the child - but if his own dad can't be bothered it's really not a concern of yours
wishing you well in your life away from this

KnoblesseOblige · 27/01/2025 17:57

I think you're using a smaller issue (cooking for stepson) to mask the bigger issue (that you and your children need to leave as soon as possible).

It's hard but it sounds completely necessarily, before any more for their childhood is ruined by this selfish aggressive sulking bully.

I wish you luck, keep yourself safe when you do tell him to get out of that you're leaving, in case he blows up. You and your kids deserve so much better and you are worth more.

Mrsttcno1 · 27/01/2025 17:57

MostlyHappyMummy · 27/01/2025 17:55

Yes you should stop and ask yourself why you took it all on in the first place
you'll get loads of responses telling you to be kind to the child - but if his own dad can't be bothered it's really not a concern of yours
wishing you well in your life away from this

As a parent I really can’t understand this perspective, I couldn’t see any child go hungry for the sake of it, regardless of whether their dad was a serial killer or a priest, it’s the child who will suffer, not his dad.

SometimesCalmPerson · 27/01/2025 17:59

Would you really do that to a child? Just use them and their hunger as a way to piss off their dad?

TheseBootsAreWalking · 27/01/2025 17:59

Leave him.

An apology without change is manipulation.

And, whatever you say, how you say it, tone or otherwise, will not change how he treats you, and that is evident 6 years in. WHY DO YOU WANT SO LITTLE FOR YOU and why on earth do you stay?

No you are not cruel to him, but you are so cruel to yourself by staying. He is teaching you how he feels you should be treated, and he has been succesful in making you believe that is all you are allowed in life, abuse.

Been here where you are and once I finally managed to gather my dignity of the floor it felt good. My ex is still in the gutter he was so adamant to make me believe was all I deserved.

Gather what is left of your dignity and leave.

JennaSays84 · 27/01/2025 17:59

argyllherewecome · 27/01/2025 17:54

Yes it is mean. He sounds young still, and someone has to cook for him. It's not his fault his dad is a jerk. I don't understand why you need to cook seperately for him though? Surely you just give him a plate of whatever you've given your dc, and stick it in the microwave when he comes home from his hobby?

Yeah I did this before but I got told it’s not really suitable, it’s not the same after being warmed up! I’ve bought some microwave meals in the fridge, he can easy heat one of those up for him even though he won’t be happy.

OP posts:
ByQuaintAzureWasp · 27/01/2025 18:00

I would not cook a separate meal. I'd cook 3 meals abd re-heat it when he's home.

If making other kids sandwiches I'd do his too.
Tell his dad he needs to start doing his and child's laundry and ironing or he can opt for every other week to do the lot.

Owl55 · 27/01/2025 18:00

You need to leave now but that poor child will be stuck with his abusive dad ! Maybe report to social services

JennaSays84 · 27/01/2025 18:01

Mrsttcno1 · 27/01/2025 17:57

As a parent I really can’t understand this perspective, I couldn’t see any child go hungry for the sake of it, regardless of whether their dad was a serial killer or a priest, it’s the child who will suffer, not his dad.

I don’t think he will go hungry, his dad will have to make him something. It’s just the abuse I’ll get for it. I don’t know whether it is really out of order me doing this or not.

OP posts:
ManchesterLu · 27/01/2025 18:01

I don't think you said how old he is, but no, you can't feed your children and leave him out.

It's a horrible environment for all the kids if you're cooking for some and not others out of spite. You need to get them out of there as soon as possible.

CatsWhiskerz · 27/01/2025 18:01

You and your kids need to leave asap. Can the step child go to his mums? Is he active towards his child? Your children?

Porkyporkchop · 27/01/2025 18:02

How old is step son ?

edited to say I agree with other posters, plate him up what you make for yours and dad can either reheat it or make something else - his choice

AllosaurusMum · 27/01/2025 18:03

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Channellingsophistication · 27/01/2025 18:03

I think I would still cook for the stepson. I suspect you will feel bad if you don’t.

Hope you can get away with your DC ASAP.

Mrsttcno1 · 27/01/2025 18:03

JennaSays84 · 27/01/2025 18:01

I don’t think he will go hungry, his dad will have to make him something. It’s just the abuse I’ll get for it. I don’t know whether it is really out of order me doing this or not.

Edited

Focus on getting your ducks in a row and leaving, but don’t punish a child in the meantime.

JuneRoses · 27/01/2025 18:06

Whatever you do, do not stay with this man. You seem to be heavily justifying why you are leaving, when any one of the things you mentioned is more than reason enough. I think you’ve lost perspective on just how bad things are. Regarding the SS, just keep doing as you would normally do, until you and your children have left for good.

Cherrysoup · 27/01/2025 18:08

I hope you’re really looking to get out. This sounds exhausting, all the endless abuse towards you. Please get out, the example being set for your dc is awful and is actually abuse for them too.

JennaSays84 · 27/01/2025 18:08

There’s all kinds of food in. He won’t go hungry and I wouldn’t leave it if it’s clear that his dad wouldn’t do anything. It’s more that I want him to step up and stop expecting it all from me, I didnt think that was asking too much, all I seem to do is do everything for everyone else, I’m shattered and need a break. I don’t think it’s horrible, I’m providing the food, bought his uniform, take him for days out, bought all his belongings here, I need one less thing to do.

OP posts:
Branleuse · 27/01/2025 18:08

JennaSays84 · 27/01/2025 17:59

Yeah I did this before but I got told it’s not really suitable, it’s not the same after being warmed up! I’ve bought some microwave meals in the fridge, he can easy heat one of those up for him even though he won’t be happy.

Who said its not suitable? Your ex partner or his son?
I would save the kid some of what your kids had, and they can like it or lump it

hattie43 · 27/01/2025 18:10

Never mind stepson why are you with this man . He's vile and no role model for any child

fashionqueen0123 · 27/01/2025 18:11

JennaSays84 · 27/01/2025 17:59

Yeah I did this before but I got told it’s not really suitable, it’s not the same after being warmed up! I’ve bought some microwave meals in the fridge, he can easy heat one of those up for him even though he won’t be happy.

By the son or your partner? Just go back to doing it. I can’t believe anyone would entertain cooking a meal twice because someone is at a club! Stop that now. Cook one meal and he can reheat it. Good grief don’t ever do that again!

whaddayawannado · 27/01/2025 18:11

Put yourself in that child's position for a moment.

Right - now you know why you need to carry on feeding and looking after him.