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Step-parenting

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Is this a selfish/unreasonable request

52 replies

Aroundtheworldandback · 22/03/2014 21:33

Dss is 19 lives with us full time but will not communicate with me in any way- lives like a lodger eating apart from family. Was not ow, he has not been willing to give dh a reason for his behaviour other than he 'doesn't like me'.

Have told dh that I do not not feel respected by him (dh) on the occasion when the three of us are in the kitchen and he carries on talking to dss as if nothing were going on. He bends over backwards in every possible way for dss, and I've told him in a situation where dss is ignoring me, I expect him not to carry on chatting away, childish as that probably is of me.

The bottom line is he has never parented dss with discipline or consequences as dss went no communicado for six months once and dh will not let that happen again.

Luckily there is enough room in the house for dss and I not to tread on eachother's toes but it's the obvious lack of respect from dh that is my problem. I have even gone as far as to tell dh he should say to dss "If you can't respect my wife you should be living elsewhere".

Our relationship otherwise is great. Sorry for the rant.. Any opinions?

OP posts:
charliefoxtrot · 22/03/2014 21:43

I don't think you're being unreasonable. At 19 he should be able to accept the adult reality of the situation. He is behaving like a child and your DH is enabling him. He doesn't have to treat you like a mother, but some basic respect and civility is surely essential?

brdgrl · 22/03/2014 21:56

No, that's dreadful. Your DH should not tolerate it.

At that age, he is a guest in your home. If your DH won't say boo to him, you should (or have you already?). You need to say to him, in front of your DH, that you expect to be treated respectfully in your own home, or he can make himself scarce.

Do you fix the meals that he eats? Stop.

Does he actually ignore you? How extreme is his behaviour?

(I am dealing with a somewhat similar situation with a 15 year-old...)

Aroundtheworldandback · 22/03/2014 21:58

Thank you for you opinion Charlie. Friends in RL have told me I can't expect dh to ask his own son to leave (even though dh would rent him a flat). That's why I wondered if I was being unreasonable. I just can't imagine living with this resentment for years to come.

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AutumnBlue · 22/03/2014 22:05

I think you need to speak to your DH about how you feel about how he is casting this situation aside.

Your DSS doesn't have to like each other. But your DH needs to start treating him more like the 19-year-old he is and not a young child. He should be telling him that his behaviour is unacceptable, and now that he's an adult he should at least cope with being civil.

Aroundtheworldandback · 22/03/2014 22:06

Thank you Brdgrl. He does make himself scarce usually, keeps himself to himself. I do not cook for him or do his washing- would be my pleasure usually but not under these circumstances. I'm not sure I would agree he is a guest in our home, under normal circumstances I would expect him to be part of the family.

Yes, he actually ignores me, totally. I can't say anything out loud to him as Dss knows very well that he could just nod, walk away, and there would be no consequences.

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Aroundtheworldandback · 22/03/2014 22:11

AutumnBlue, I have spoken many a time, most recently this evening about him burying his head in the sand and trying to keep everyone happy. I'm not happy. He has told him to try and be civil, but dss knows only too well that dh will not ultimately ask him to leave.

I have even caught dh doing dss's washing and taking him meals up to his room, completely enabling his behaviour.

I am at the end of my rope.

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WhereMyMilk · 22/03/2014 22:26

Get your DH to rent the pAir of them a flat together-sounds like would be good riddance!

AutumnBlue · 22/03/2014 22:35

He needs to address his Disney parenting. If he isn't willing to address his enabling behaviour then he obviously doesn't think very much of your or your relationship. He's showing you complete disrespect by letting him get away with treating you the way he is.

His son or not, it's appalling behaviour - especially from a grown adult. The way your DH seems about it doesn't make him sound any better either.

Aroundtheworldandback · 22/03/2014 22:49

Thank you for your responses- so different from the ones I have in RL. One friend pointed out dh is 'lovely and kind' to his children, but so is he also to me; if he was hard on his kids, chances are he'd be hard on me too and hard to live with. Might come down to me being forced to give dh an ultimatum.

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Bluebees · 22/03/2014 22:51

If your dss claims to dislike you so much (no disrespect to you - I've been on the receiving end of something similar and equally unwarranted) then WHY is he living with you, eating your food, letting you subsidise him? Where is his mother in this equation? Sorry you're in this situation OP, am feeling pensive tonight and wishing folk could be kinder to one another (not you, your dds). I hope you can relax in your own home and not feel on edge. It would be good if your dh could perhaps persuade your dss to attend mediation with you both. He's still a youngster but adult enough not to behave in such a way. You deserve better.

EverythingCounts · 22/03/2014 22:53

Sounds awful for you and most unfair. Why on earth does he want to be in your house if he dislikes you so? What about his mother?

Can I also ask, who owns the house you all live in? And do you have other kids?

EverythingCounts · 22/03/2014 22:54

X post with Bluebees. It seems really perverse of him to stay somewhere where he can't stand to speak to one of the people in the household, almost as if he enjoys it.

Aroundtheworldandback · 22/03/2014 23:03

He is living with us because it's a convenient base. I contribute nothing to his upkeep so no argument there. His mother lives abroad so he's unable to live there. I have two dcs who also live with us (not dh's). We are renting but in process of buying house of which dh will contribute the major share. I pay nothing towards dss.

Everythingcounts, it IS exactly as if he enjoys it. I think he enjoys knowing he can behave as he pleases and his dad wouldn't dare rock the boat.

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EverythingCounts · 22/03/2014 23:52

So is he also planning to move into the family house when you buy it? I would have serious doubts about the whole plan if so, because then it seems unlikely he will ever go, or at least for some time.

If his mother lives abroad, then I would think your DH has more leverage than he realises - it means DSS can't 'just' move back in with his other parent. So the other option would be to move in with a friend or look for a room to rent and that would be a lot more expensive. If your DH were willing to take a tougher line, his son would soon work out which side his bread's buttered. But it doesn't sound as if he (DH) is.

Can you have a serious talk with him before your house purchase goes through and say you can't live with the thought of this going on for years to come? It also can't be good for you own kids to see you treated like this - it's a very damaging example for them and could lead to them behaving similarly or getting resentful.

Does the 19yo have any sort of life plan that would get him on the move soon, e.g. university that isn't local?

lunar1 · 23/03/2014 06:30

Do you really want your children to grow up seeing you be treated like this?

Your dh doesn't sound supportive at all and I wouldn't put up with this, there is no way I'd be trapping myself into a house purchase like this.

Is there any background to dss behaviour? Has he ever accepted you? Has your dh had lots of relationships since he separated, I remember thinking and saying to my dad that I didn't want to meet any more of his partners as they changed so often. I was 13 though and each step mum lasted any where from 1 visit to about 18 months so not the same situation.

Please sort this out before you commit to a house together, you deserve better.

Russianfudge · 23/03/2014 07:36

I can't believe this is happening to you. You are the mother of that house, not his mother but the mother and you should be respected as such.

Lots of us have struggled with this kind of stuff from much younger children but this is an adult living in your house.

I think you need to find your voice and get you DH and dss in the same room and tell them that you demand respect and civility in your home.

If your husband doesn't back you up I think you need some counselling together so you can get him to see how you feel.

purpleroses · 23/03/2014 07:43

Your DSS is entitled not to like you much. But that does not mean he is allowed to be disrespectful. I'm shocked your DP doesn't realise that he needs to tell him so. As a parent u you're supposed to be teaching your DC how to behave and DSS is getting it so wrong and nobody's telling him so. And yes your own DC are getting a dreadful lesson in how to behave.

If your DP won't tell DSS firmly that this is not acceptable and lay down clear examples of how he must behave then I would consider doing it yourself. It's your home too and he is old enough to leave if he doesn't want to stay. You could try making it clear at the same time that your like him to be happier and to have a happier home altogether - so he doesn't think that you hate him and want him out.

daisychain01 · 23/03/2014 08:05

My first reaction to this is why is a 19 yo still at "home"? And I say home in the loosest of terms, because it doesnt seem like he is making any effort to make it feel like its him home! Is he just staying at your's outside Uni or college term time? Or has he got a job? IMO if he cant bring himself to be friendly and polite to you at the age of 19, well its a damn shame. It must be so uncomfortable for you, being in the same room and him just totally ignoring you, wtaf!!

I know you mentioned he isn't prepared to open up and say what's bothering him, but maybe it would clear the air if you could persuade your DH to find out a bit more, if only to improve the situation as it is obviously a problem that wont go away unless it is tackled somehow. Do you feel in any way that it would resolve things to "build bridges" or is the whole thing beyond repair?

daisychain01 · 23/03/2014 08:06

Oops his home

Squirrelsmum · 23/03/2014 08:13

My eldest DS and my eldest DSS were both out and living on their own and not reliant on parents at that age, if he can't at the very least be polite and show you a bit of respect piss him off. And WTF is with your DH, there is no way he should be tolerating anyone treating you like that.

Aroundtheworldandback · 23/03/2014 10:48

Everything- he doesn't have a friend to rent with as not v sociable. He has a job nearby but no life plan, just waits for dh to sort out his life.

This was dh's first relationship after divorce from ss's mum (she had affair). He has never accepted me despite my efforts. Dh has taken him out on several occasions to ask him to behave decently. Each time he nods and made the right noises- but actually put it on fb that he had no intention of changing! So the situation is beyond repair.

Purple there is only a point in me trying to talk to dss if dh will not only back me up vocally but enforce a consequence if there is no joy. We all know this is not going to happen. Dh is terrified dss will see being asked to leave as rejection and his dad putting me first.

Thank you for all your replies. I think the only way forward is counselling for me and dh (there is no way dss would agree to come), so looks like we will go down that route.

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Russianfudge · 23/03/2014 12:18

Yes I think you need to. Me and DH had a fairly similar situation and in the end the counsellor asked him why is the world he didn't think he should put me first. She said that your kids are only with you a very short amount of time but your husband/ wife is forever and anyone who sacrifices their relationship for a child is foolish.

Obviously in the realms of a good relationship with a supportive and loving partner.

These kids have no conscience. They don care that when SM gets fucked off and leaves Dad that Dad will then be alone and unhappy. All that matters to them is they get their way and their own temporary happinessHmm

Aroundtheworldandback · 23/03/2014 14:03

Update- Told dh I am making an appt at Relate. He knows I mean business this time. He told me he 'forgot' to mention, but dss told him earlier in the week he wants to rent with his friend. I will soon see if hat's true.

Russianfudge sounds like you had a very wise councillor. Did your dh accept the advice and what are things like now?

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catsmother · 23/03/2014 18:24

I hope things work out for you. The counselling certainly can't make things any worse can it ? .... and though I'm inclined to say he shouldn't have to be persuaded to see a counsellor in order to insist on respect for his wife, obviously it's better to make one last attempt at sorting this before you leave - or ask him to.

Yes - I agree he should "put you first". Though it's not really about putting you first as such .... it's simply about ensuring as much as he can that people over whom he has any influence - like SS - show you basic courtesy in your own home. I doubt he'd tolerate a friend of his, for example, coming over and ignoring you, grunting at you at best. This shouldn't be any different ... yes, SS is his child, but as an adult, albeit a young one, it's about time he started acting like one - and that means having manners and showing appreciation for the fact he has a roof over his head by pulling his weight. His father certainly shouldn't be bending over backwards for him at that age, even if he were the most pleasant young man .... the fact that he does so in spite of his insolence towards you must feel almost as if the brat is being rewarded for his rudeness.

He doesn't have to be your best friend. God knows, I appreciate only too well that a close relationship between step-relatives isn't always possible .... but hello, goodbye, please, thankyou, asking you (and not just his father) if it's okay to do xyz, including you in the conversation with his dad if you're in the room and responsing in a polite manner if you address him should be the minimum expected of him. Plus, he should be helping out around the house on a regular and reliable basis and not falling back on his dad's goodwill. Your DH should enforce this ..... if he's working he'd hardly be in the gutter if he was asked to leave (e.g. after a "trial" period where he had to show he'd pulled his socks up) and friends or not, it shouldn't be too hard to find a room in a house share - where he might make friends - or to rent a room as someone's lodger ... quite a few people are looking for lodgers right now to make ends meet.

The attitude of men (it's usually men) like your DH make me spit. This whole thing of being petrified that contact will cease if their precious children are "upset" in any way .... when in this sort of context, the so-called upset is nothing more than the normal behaviour most parents expect from their children. I can't figure out why they'd rather retain the company of a spoilt, rude, unpleasant adult brat than give them the short sharp shock they actually need which might well result in short term loss of contact, but would probably mean that eventually the relationship would be better once mutual respect had been established.

In case that sounds harsh let me tell you that I asked my own (young) adult son to leave following a period where he'd continually let me down over various issues and where, whilst he was certainly talking to me, he treated the house like the proverbial hotel .... his argument being that because he paid "keep" which was a lot less than living costs for a single person out in the real world he was entitled to behave as he pleased - regardless of the effect upon the rest of us. It wasn't a knee jerk reaction, it was something I'd thought about for a long time and only after countless "talks" had got nowhere. When I finally did it I cried buckets and felt like the worst sort of mother - but he needed that lesson, and while things were awkward for a while, I made every effort to keep in touch with him, to show an interest in what he was doing, to offer practical advice about cooking and laundry and budgeting etc and suggest frequent meet-ups. I can honestly say that now he is a great young man doing a worthwhile but potentially dangerous job and I am very proud of him. He's extremely kind towards his younger sister and often shows me a lot of generosity (eg. with gifts) and thoughtfulness (eg. by asking if I'd be interested in special offers he's seen when he's out shopping). We have a very good relationship now, and indeed, around 18 months after he left, he asked if he could move back temporarily when there was going to be a few months gap between him leaving his house share and moving into a rented flat.

If appealing to the "better nature" of someone doesn't work then I really do think that sometimes - most of the time ? - they need to have the "solution" effectively forced on them. I guess with my son it was a combination of rebellion - him feeling all grown up, earning his own money and not wanting to be "pushed around" - together with the sure and certain knowledge that a few arguments where I'd protest at his attitude were a price worth paying for a pretty cushty life at home. Sounds like similar applies to your SS - he doesn't give a damn and doesn't see why he should make any effort when he's pretty sure there's never going to be any repercussions for the way he behaves.

Your DH needs to man up and sort this out. One last chance for him to tow the line and behave like an adult, or he goes. It's bad enough the son is the way he is towards you, but your husband is also being incredibly disloyal and disrespectful himself while he allows it to continue.

MatryoshkaDoll · 23/03/2014 19:05

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