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Step-parenting

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Am I expecting too much?

26 replies

Sdaddyx2 · 16/02/2015 10:07

Hopefully someone can set me straight on this, its really stressing me out

Background: I have been with my (now) wife for 9 years, I already had a son, she had 2 girls. So basically we have been a step family pretty much since then, the kids get on great and we also have our own child. My son comes round every other weekend, during the week. I live with my wife, step daughters and our daughter.

I think my wifes always struggled with my Son. I cant see hes ever done anything wrong, but it may be rose tinted glasses. Hes not rude to her, hes a bit silly, but hes a kid, hes no worse than any of the others in our family. Hes not really loud, can be at times. Shes never been a massive fan of boys, I think in general she was raised with a negative view of men as her mum was abused physically by her father.

Its very obvious shes not comfortable when hes about, but she tries in my presence. I would like her to be perfectly comfortable, and make more effort I suppose, when I first met her I took her daughters out on my own to get to know them etc.. now I just treat them as my own, I say I have 4 kids, and I treat them all the same, financially, with attention and help where they need it. I tend to be a it closer to my son, and when hes here I sort of feel like I need to 'protect' him from my wifes negativity towards him, it sort of feels like if she does talk to him, its only in a negative way, not mildly, just either a sort of dig back, or to get him to do something kind of thing.

Generally my wife is a lovely and caring person and our marriage is great, its just this bit is a sore point for me, and I think for her. Should I just be happy that she tolerates the situation and almost plays along while my son is here, then forgets about him (to a degree) when hes not here?

Sorry its a long post, I don't know who to talk to about this without getting a biased reply

OP posts:
CalicoBlue · 19/02/2015 21:02

I have a very difficult relationship with my DSS. I have known him for 11 years, got on really well for most of them. Our problems got worse the more his contact with his mother increased. She does not like me and makes sure that DSS does not either.

I got so fed up of everything I said being relayed back, twisted and then presented to DH as proof of my wickedness that I stopped having anything to do with DSS.

When he is in the house the whole atmosphere changes and DH gets quite edgy. Do you do the same? It can be stressful living with someone who watches what you say to their DC as if waiting for you to do something wrong.

Maybe your DS does not like your wife and she is just fed up of 9 years of trying. There could be lots of reasons. I would not expect it to get better though, esp if he is entering his teenage years.

In my case DH knows why the situation has got to where it is and does not blame me at all.

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