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My partner says I'm affecting my daughter's ability to be independent

129 replies

SteadyFoot · Yesterday 21:31

I have an 11-year-old daughter from a previous relationship. I have a 10-month-old son with my partner. Today, my partner said that I'm affecting my daughter's ability to be independent because she and I were holding hands whilst out on a walk...

We're on a family trip to York, the city was busy and my daughter reached out for my hand and so we held hands and walked through the city whilst I pushed our young son in his pram.

I'd say she reached out for my hand for affection and safety, she's always been an affectionate person and to me this is absolutely normal behaviour. I was loving every moment, being there for both my children, keeping them safe as is my job as a responsible and loving parent.

Considering their age and the situation we were in, I can't see where my partner is coming from at all. It was hurtful to hear them say this as I'd like to think that if our own son were to reach out for their hand at 11-years-old then they'd accept their hand rather than dismiss it, as a lesson to gain dependence.

What are people's thoughts on this?

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · Today 08:52

My 26 and 23 year olds often link arms / hold my hand. Even if it’s not busy. They are both fully functioning, independent adults.

I would’ve thought that this sort of thing is even more important for DD now that there’s a baby around.

I don’t like the sound of your partner.

Greendinos · Today 08:54

SteadyFoot · Today 08:47

In which way does it matter who is who? Do people on this forum make differing comments based on the OP's sex?

It doesn’t matter to me. Whether it’s a man or woman you’ve had a child with they are a deeply unpleasant person who sees your first child as a problem and is trying to get in between you.

Personally I would see a man with kids as a problem, but that’s why I don’t date men with kids! Simple.

It’s not fair on the child and it’s not fair on me so I just steer clear.

He or she had no right entering into a relationship with you if that’s their attitude towards a child who they obviously knew you had!

Fernsarethebestplants · Today 08:55

I walked arm in arm with my mum for years, into my twenties. My adult children do the same to me, I often reach out and squeeze their hand.

Your dd may need some extra attention anyway, she's got a new baby sibling, so it wouldn't be unusual to need extra nurturing at this time as the older child.

I think that giving kids a very strong comfort at home, whilst never treading on their wings when they start to fly is the best way. You don't have to push baby birds out of the nest, they usually jump, especially if they are securely attached.

Soontobe60 · Today 08:56

SteadyFoot · Today 08:47

In which way does it matter who is who? Do people on this forum make differing comments based on the OP's sex?

No, they make different comments based on the relationship of the adults to the children.
It would be quite unusual if the OP in this scenario was in fact male, as there are not many men who have sole custody of a 10 month old baby and are also living with someone else. Not impossible, but not usual.
Your coyness about the sex of you and your partner is giving mixed messages - it’s not about the hand holding, it’s about the secrecy.

2026onwardsandup · Today 09:00

Your daughter sounds wonderful and mature for her age . She is exhibiting good independent behaviours for her age . Nonsense re hand holding .

Whilst I appreciate that your situation is tricky to manage with your DP becoming a step - father and a new father .

My concern is to your daughter’s emotional well - being going forwards . She has had a lot to manage with her parents splitting up , a new step father and then a new sibling . I think your DP is exhibiting rigidity in thinking re parenting and also jealousy of your relationship with her and the involvement of your DD’s father . These are non negotiables , he was aware of your DD when you got together and the co - parenting situation .

He appears to want to control and impose his views on you and your daughter . I think it was really sad that he excluded your daughter from your family holiday overseas .

These are red flags for your relationship going forward . I think you have to also take into account that your daughter will be entering puberty / becoming a teenager soon and this may prove to be a challenging time for you all . Secondary school / school friendships / emotional well being : mental health may all be factors .

When entering a new relationship / living together you do have to adapt and compromise . The issue here is how much compromising are you and your daughter doing for” an easy life “ and to keep your DP happy? He may be more of a dominant personality , but he is trying to impose his views of parenting on you when he had no experience of parenting .

Times have changed since he was parented , more emphasis on well being , parents’ lives revolving around children etc . Whilst it is arguable some of these changes may not be for the best eg screen time , a lot have been for the better .
You are now aware of the issues and I would look into couple counselling , family counselling .

Douglasmummy · Today 09:01

SteadyFoot · Today 07:14

I guess that's a question for my daughter. Why did my daughter want to hold my hand whilst I was pushing a pram. I guess, she just wanted to.

That's not a question for your daughter. She was with her only available parent in a busy area and wanted to hold your hand. Your son had two parents and was already safe in the pram. Their other parents should have pushed the pram if they were worried about the one handed pram pushing. Your partner is jealous of your daughter now she has her own child, but she needs to be told to pack it in. You cannot let your daughter be treated like this by someone you have brought into her life.

Douglasmummy · Today 09:05

Soontobe60 · Today 08:56

No, they make different comments based on the relationship of the adults to the children.
It would be quite unusual if the OP in this scenario was in fact male, as there are not many men who have sole custody of a 10 month old baby and are also living with someone else. Not impossible, but not usual.
Your coyness about the sex of you and your partner is giving mixed messages - it’s not about the hand holding, it’s about the secrecy.

The OP doesn't have sole custody of the 10 month old. as far as I can see. The trip was two parents of the 10 month old plus the DD of one of the 10 month olds parents. Agree the coyness about the sex of the partners is confusing.

throwawayimplantchat · Today 09:10

Regardless of the sex of anyone involved, your partner is bullying your daughter and it’s really sad you are sharing a life, home and bed with someone who so clearly dislikes her.

She sounds like a wonderful little girl who is more independent and mature than her peers if anything.

How can you bear to be with someone who is unkind to her? Your poor daughter.

JustAboutHangingInThere · Today 09:21

OP you have a partner problem. I’d be very concerned about the dynamic and motivation here and the potential impact on your daughter. The holiday exclusion is a prime example. Very controlling. And jealousy around your relationship from what you have shared.

An 11 year old holding hands with a parent, for any reason, is completely normal, and very lovely. Your daughter is a child. Holding hands doesn’t make her any less independent.

Lurker85 · Today 09:25

Your partner doesn’t want her around so doesn’t like your closeness as they want her to be independent and not spend much time with you so they can be rid of her. They are a prick. I’d have dumped them after the holiday incident. They showed you exactly who they were

Yourcousinrachel · Today 10:02

That thing about the toothbrushes is bonkers. The holiday situation also very very worrying. It couldnt be more excluding, could it?
Apology for the holiday thing from your DP really is not recompense in any way because why on earth would they ever think that would be acceptable to leave your daughter out and to make sure they deliberately didnt book enough space. Thats not an accident. They dont consider her part of the family.

Definitely bullying, excluding behaviour. DP would rather your daughter didnt exist clearly. Why would her dad being at a parents evening need to cause so much drama, .....

I would be concerned that I would not be able to trust this DP to raise my daughter or do the best thing for her. I would buy a toothbrush holder with four separate compartments. Its true that its not good for toothbrush heads to touch, but that would mean everyones, not just your daughters. See what happens. If your DP keeps complaining you will learn if this is about control (as it sounds very much like it).

LastNightMyPJsSavedMyLife · Today 10:18

I doubt this is just to do with handholding.

EvieBB · Today 10:19

SteadyFoot · Today 06:36

Thank you, everyone that's replied to me, I feel reassured in my thoughts.

I'll try my best to reply to everyone's comments in this one reply as I never expected such a strong reaction to this in such a short amount of time.

My daughter is independent in a lot of things, she'll cook breakfasts, lunch, puddings and is starting to intrigue herself with dinner meals, she make us hot drinks as her treat to us. She'll opt to make her own lunch for school, and she'll do it well. She'll separate her clothing for washing. She's trusted by both of us to look after our son say if we needed to go something around the house. She completes her homework without prompting from anyone. She takes pride in her appearance and will often be the first awake in the house, doing her favourite hairstyles; something she's become known for at school and will often be the hairstylist at school within the groups of friends she's in. She's always had a glowing school report and is described as a model student. In public, she'll hold the door open for strangers as we enter a building, and even say her own order when out for a meal. She's recently gained 'control' of her own Vinted account, as a way of me teaching her the value of money, commerce and the importance of saving. This isn't an exhaustive list.

My daughter does put on a baby voice every now and again, but that's children just being children and I point it out telling her she won't get her own way just because of a voice change; I want her to be capable, and not need to seek assistance under the guise of being inferior to anyone. I remind her to tidy her bed from time to time but again that's just children.

So, with all this, as you could imagine, I'm stumped as to what independence she's lacking for her age and what I'm supposedly doing to impede it.

My partner has made other retorts and it seems to stem from the time I spend with my daughter and the affection we share. My partner recently made the comment "The problem is I got with you when you have a child already", this was because they're finding it difficult that I need to co-parent and she doesn't like that she requires communication between me and my ex-partner. My daughter's toothbrush isn't allowed near to my son's as she has a habit of coughing but theirs and mine can be next to his even in illness. My daughter was left out of the first family holiday (all four of us) abroad because my partner wanted it to just be me, them and our son so kept on throwing obstacles to make sure she couldn't attend; this is something they've since apologised for. My partner got angry with me because I didn't tell them that my ex-partner would also be at the parents evening; they told me that they only ever had one parent go to these sorts of things with them as a child. Again, this list isn't exhaustive.

And, strangely, even though this comment has come about yesterday, my partner decided to take away my daughter's choice to make her own lunches. I did think this was out of affection but now the water seems so unclear. The two things don't sing from the same hymn sheet. I feel constantly watched and ready to be called out for the next thing that they don't agree with in my relationships with the children.

The problem you have is not your child, it's your partner! Sorry you're going through this OP.

BinBagDress · Today 10:21

@SteadyFoot to me it makes no difference but a lot of posters seem to hate men so yes unfortunately they do make comments differently. The reason I think you are male is because you stayed home to protect your daughter on this summers family holiday, I can’t see a mother being away from a young baby that’s possibly breast feed for a week.
Well done for standing up for your daughter and absolutely she can still hold your hand!

HisStericalTestes · Today 10:29

He is being a twit. Holding hands with your chikd isnt going to ruin her future. We don't live in Sparta.

Is he one of those I Love The Romans macho types? You may want to watch that with your young son...

Soontobe60 · Today 10:41

Douglasmummy · Today 09:05

The OP doesn't have sole custody of the 10 month old. as far as I can see. The trip was two parents of the 10 month old plus the DD of one of the 10 month olds parents. Agree the coyness about the sex of the partners is confusing.

I didn’t say she did - I said it would be very unusual for a male parent to have sole custody.

Soontobe60 · Today 10:42

HisStericalTestes · Today 10:29

He is being a twit. Holding hands with your chikd isnt going to ruin her future. We don't live in Sparta.

Is he one of those I Love The Romans macho types? You may want to watch that with your young son...

He is a she

EverybodyLTB · Today 10:46

Your daughter sounds lovely and your partner is a disgusting bully. You need to take action, action that unfortunately should have been taken way further back. Your poor child!

summitfever · Today 11:10

Another thing to note is the reverse accusation. While your partner is accusing you of taking away the kids independence using a non issue as an example, your partner is actually acting to remove her independence. Another classic tactic

EarthSight · Today 11:15

Your partner's jealous.

Nothing about this is smothering or inappropriate. It's quite sweet. Your daughter will eventually stop wanting to hold your hand, so you might as well enjoy it whilst it lasts.

This is a minor situation in some ways, but it's this kind of thing that makes me feel sorry for so many daughters who have an unrelated adult foisted upon them and their lives because their mother wanted a partner. I sympathise why you would of course, but I'd be keeping note of if he's making other comments like this to distance the both of you from one another.

mondaytosunday · Today 11:26

Um, I still hold my DDs hand on occasion (not for safety but because she loves me) and she’s 21! She’s very independent- did a month long work experience in Lisbon at 18 and this past summer did an internship in Columbia. She is at uni five hours away and is very capable of making decisions and taking care of herself. Your partner is totally in the wrong here. Witholding physical touch/connection does not make someone independent.

tinyspiny · Today 11:30

Your partner is hideous and trying to break the relationship that you have with your daughter so you need to dump the partner .

arethereanyleftatall · Today 11:32

you asked for our thoughts. Mine are that you should be removing your partner from your poor dds life today, and that it was really awful of you to have got involved with them in the first place when they made it clear they didn’t like your dd. You put your dd second, which good parents don’t do.

TrappedByThisDesk · Today 11:46

Given that you now have a new baby with this partner, it would not be sensible to think in terms of splitting up.
So instead you have to fix the relationships in the family.

Lay down the law to new partner about your DD. From now on, partner is not allowed to express their jealousy and pettiness, they are not to interfere with parenting DD, and they need to grow the fuck up.
Expect pushback. This will test your relationship with your partner, but you have to stand up for DD.

SimpleNovember · Today 12:02

I am finding it hard for my eight year old to hold my hand at the moment (she’s too cool) so if she turns 11 and does it I will be delighted!!! She’s 11, not 21!!