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Relationships

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:
Peaceandquietandacuppa · 27/01/2025 18:54

JennaSays84 · 27/01/2025 18:41

I do care about him a lot, so I’ll carry on. Thanks for all the replies, that’s answered my question x

The bigger priority is getting your kids out of there and not letting them be damaged further by witnessing all this. You really should seek advice on this ASAP. Can you kick him out?

Oodlesandoodlesofnoodles · 27/01/2025 18:56

I wouldn’t be playing with fire right now, honestly. Keep your head down while you make genuine, actionable plans to leave.

Annaannaannab · 27/01/2025 18:57

I think that’s unfair . You shouldn’t be doing it , he should. But he sounds like a complete a hole and I imagine , ultimately , it’s his son who would suffer and that’s unfair .

By the sounds of it , you are a thoughtful and caring person so don’t let him change you . To punish your SS would be out of character for you and would mean he has turned you into that . By the sounds of it , he’s done enough to you - don’t let him do that .

ThisIsMyYearToFindMyself · 27/01/2025 18:59

How old is the step son?

JennaSays84 · 27/01/2025 19:00

Miaowzabella · 27/01/2025 18:52

How old is the son and why can't his dad cook for him?

I have a viewing tomorrow thankfully, I know I need to leave.

He’s 10. Im really not sure why, it’s expected of me. Maybe because I’ve done so much for so long.

OP posts:
MoonlightTree · 27/01/2025 19:02

While you are still living there please don’t consider punishing your step son by leaving him out and not cooking for him. Please dont let him go hungry whilst your other children eat. It’s not his fault that his Dad is abusive. You really need to take your children and leave as soon as you can. Is your step son’s mother on the scene? I would definitely report to SS when you leave too. Do you rent or own the property?

andthat · 27/01/2025 19:03

Do you have means to leave @JennaSays84 ?

In staying, you are exposing your children to psychological harm.

Who does the cooking is a total red herring.

Time to role model self worth to your kids and kick this man to the kerb.

I feel very sorry for your DSS but you have to prioritise your own kids.

Hwi · 27/01/2025 19:05

Urgently get out!!!!!

WoolySnail · 27/01/2025 19:06

You shouldn't have to of course, but as ss is only 10 I would carry on until you leave, with the caveat that it would be whatever I was making, and if he isn't there at dishing up he can re-heat later on. If his dad doesn’t think reheated meals are acceptable then he can sort out meals for his son himself.
Please leave as quickly as humanly possible, you and your dc deserve so much more xxx

AnotherWeekAnotherUsername · 27/01/2025 19:06

Your beef is not with the 10 year old child fgs, can’t believe you even have to ask. Make plans and get the hell out.

Existentialistic · 27/01/2025 19:06

At 10 your stepson is a young child and not old enough to take responsibility for his own welfare. You said there are 2 biological parents - does he have any contact with his mother?

I agree with what others have said about leaving. Consider contacting social services about your stepson. Good luck and take care.

MaggieFS · 27/01/2025 19:06

Honestly OP, the first thing I hope for you is that you get yourself out of there.

In the meantime, I wouldn't do anything to further inflame the situation - I would keep going with the packed lunches, uniform, etc.

For the evening meals, I don't think there's scope, but it at all possible, are there some days with meals ok reheated in the microwave, some which are a ready meals and some sandwiches? I certainly wouldn't be cooking twice every night, even more my own children!

Collette78 · 27/01/2025 19:06

Yes it is mean and petty to treat your stepson that way.

Whatever the dynamic is between you and your partner it’s none of the children’s fault and isolating one of them is not okay. People should not put kids in the midst of these issues.

Clearly your relationship is very troubled and you need to work out what your resolution / decision is, but treating the child differently whilst doing so shouldn’t be an option.

Hollietree · 27/01/2025 19:08

Your partner sounds like a very angry and volatile person. I think you should make immediate plans to leave as soon as possible with your children. While you organise this it would be sensible/safer to keep doing everything that you are doing, don’t rile your (soon to be ex) partner, keep quiet, keep cooking and ironing that uniform, make sure that your step-son is being well looked after while you are still in the home. Your priority is keeping the home as calm as you can for all the children….. until the moment you leave. Don’t tell him you are leaving until you have everything lined up.

Once you are safely moved out, inform SS if you have any concerns about the way he is being parented.

MayaPinion · 27/01/2025 19:10

Tell him you and he are finished and you no longer have any responsibility for him or his son. In future he needs to make sure his son has a lunch and a dinner, and that his laundry is done. That is HIS job.

Endofyear · 27/01/2025 19:11

The food issue is the least of your problems, I think you're focusing on a minor thing here to avoid facing the biggest problem. You need to focus all your energy on leaving as soon as possible. Is there any family you and the children can stay with in the short term? Or airbnb until you find something permanent? I can only imagine how awful it is for your children living with this abusive man and you owe it to them and to yourself to get away from him. Can you contact Women's Aid for advice and support?

MayaPinion · 27/01/2025 19:11

MayaPinion · 27/01/2025 19:10

Tell him you and he are finished and you no longer have any responsibility for him or his son. In future he needs to make sure his son has a lunch and a dinner, and that his laundry is done. That is HIS job.

Actually, on reflection, don’t do this given his volatility. Do what @Hollietree suggests instead. Your goal is to get out safely.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 27/01/2025 19:12

Don't be a dick to the kid, he's not the one who is being abusive.

Get rid of the abuser and then you won't have to do any cooking. Or be abused again.

StormingNorman · 27/01/2025 19:14

The sooner you leave the better. Your partner is horrific. Until then, I’d probably carry on looking after your DSS to keep some routine for him (he’ll be confused about why you’ve stopped) and minimise the abuse you’ll get.

Ceecee2422 · 27/01/2025 19:14

Just make him food at the same time as your own kids and let one of them heat it up later, regardless of what they say it really isn’t your problem…….your problem is working out how to get you and your kids out of there……….

Floppyelf · 27/01/2025 19:16

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

quoting for …. This post sums it all up.

Vaxtable · 27/01/2025 19:16

Don’t take your relationship problems out on a child

i would still cook, clean, wash etc for the child until I left, then it becomes his fathers responsibility, but I would be leaving.

just added how would you feel if this was your children and someone decided not to care for them any more, leaving them to it

Allergictoironing · 27/01/2025 19:17

JennaSays84 · 27/01/2025 19:00

I have a viewing tomorrow thankfully, I know I need to leave.

He’s 10. Im really not sure why, it’s expected of me. Maybe because I’ve done so much for so long.

His dad won't cook for him (not can't, won't) 'cause that's "wimmins work" and beneath his dignity as a MAN.

I will assume that it's the father who has said reheated food isn't suitable, because if you do that then you aren't being put out as much as if you cook separate meals. It's a power statement, pure and simple. Most posters on these threads batch cook at some stage, what's the difference?

For those condemning the OP for refusing to cook for the poor little waif, she isn't. All she's not wanting to do is cook an entirely new meal for one person, when she's already cooking a meal for the rest of the household at a different time. If it's the father demanding it has to be a freshly cooked meal much later than the other children then surely HE is the one punishing the child for the OP's "transgression".

I would still probably make the child's packed lunch, assuming that isn't a particularly long winded or onerous task. I would cook enough for the child, a meal suitable for warming up. I would still wash the child's clothing, I may even still iron the child's shirt. But I would do absolutely nothing for this excuse for a man. No washing, no ironing, no cooking, definitely no lifts to/from the pub. Anything he leaves lying about, dump into a cardboard box or a bin bag if you want it out of the way.

Hazylazydays · 27/01/2025 19:19

That poor child, he apparently has no one who truly cares for him at ten years of age, that is incredibly sad.
No wonder kids go off the rails when they’re used as pawns in an argument, where is his mother?

Bananalanacake · 27/01/2025 19:19

I agree to let DSS have the same food as whatever you are doing for everyone else, but if you decide to walk out now and stay with a family member until you sort something out that is better, the DSS is not your responsibility, your own children are.