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Personal boundaries

91 replies

alwaystryingtobeafriend · 17/04/2015 21:33

So I go to my room and dsd is on my bed on her phone. She shares a room with her brother and he is watching a film so she's been kicked out the room.

I asked her to go out so I could get changed for bed. Which she did. But I had just taken off my pants and she walked back in to pick up her bobble. I was mid change. I'm really angry because she knew what I was doing and it could have waited. I want dp to have a word with her and ask her to knock before entering our room. Is this too much to ask?

OP posts:
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Wdigin2this · 18/04/2015 11:44

Always, you are not being unreasonable in wanting some privacy, and it is your DP's job to explain to his children that closed doors mean, "knock and wait for invite". I note that some posters have a more open lifestyle, which is great, but if that's not what you're used to/prefer, then reasonable house rules are appropriate, whether it's your own DC or not! I get the sense from your other posts that there are quite a few difficulties in your current home set up and you are struggling a little. Well, IMHO nobody really knows what they are getting into when they start seeing a man/woman with DC, yes you know they're in their life and yes you know they are very important to them, but (especially if you don't have your own DC) ypu really don't have a clue how things will pan out, or whether you'll cope with it! So, short of saying don't ever get involved with a person with DC, I think it's always going to a case of taking a chance....don't beat yourself up about this, you're not a bad person!!

Somersetlady · 18/04/2015 11:49

Wdig anyone who reads the mumsnet forums would surely avoid meeting a DP with children like the plague!!!

alwaystryingtobeafriend · 18/04/2015 11:50

Aw thank you.

I'm really not a bad person. I admit. I'm really struggling just now. I come on here to vent because it's better than arguing at home about silly things. I know this is a silly thing. It just bugs me that dp isn't trying to help me out here.

Anyway its done now and I need to move on. I'm going out for the day so I won't be around to cause an atmosphere or be walked in on.

I really do take on board peoples comments. But I'm unsure why dsds privacy is more important than mine? I reckon it should all be equal in terms of privacy. We all need it were all entitled to it. Sure it was probably just an accident that she walked back in and yes I maybe got a bit too annoyed. But it just made me think that there should be more rules about this stuff and I need dp to either support me or take the lead. Neither of which he is doing here.

OP posts:
Wdigin2this · 18/04/2015 12:04

Somerset your prob right, and I sometimes seriously question whether, in hindsight, I should have got involved...but that's a whole different story!
Always everyone in the house has an equal right to privacy! and you are not being silly! I know how hard it is to have someone else's DC in your life, and I really applaud you for coping with them, living with you EOW! And you're absolutely right about the need to establish ground/house rules, to be observed by children and adults alike...that's how you teach children good manners and to respect peoples needs/rights! Enjoy your day out!!!

newstart15 · 18/04/2015 12:33

I completely agree with findingpeace.I spent years feeling that I couldn't raise issues with dsd and expected dh to do it.If he wasn't there he didn't feel able to discuss with dsd.t's actually worked out really well as it's uncomfortable for anyone to hear feedback 2nd hand and most people would prefer it said directly.

1.dsd feels I will be open with her and it has strenghtened our relationship.
2.I don't feel resentful anymore as house rules are explained.
3.dh doesn't feel in the middle.

Raise it gently with her, say you need privacy and so does she.You are not telling her off just explaining house rules.

If the ex has an issue then that's when you need dh to get involved.I bet it won't be an issue however.

Also do get a bedroom lock, I have this issue with my children and the lock was such a simple fix!

needaholidaynow · 18/04/2015 12:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheMummalo · 18/04/2015 13:03

My DSD is not allowed in my room to use stuff there.
She wanted to use my mirror so I bought a mirror to use in her room.

People need their own personal space and kids need boundaries too.

YANBU OP :)

TheMummalo · 18/04/2015 13:05

Exactly needaholliday my DSD wants her privacy and that works both ways!

ashtrayheart · 18/04/2015 18:34

I would never walk in on (teenage) dsd or ds, knock and wait! My youngest 2 get told not to barge in but they are 4 and 5 so I cut them a bit of slack. Of course you are entitled to privacy!

smotheroffive · 21/04/2015 08:08

I feel for your DSD I really do. She has no private space.
I feel for you OP. You have lost some of your private space and now been embarrassed, and i feel the situation would be very different if this were your own DC.

Personally, i don't care much if i was 'walked in on' by mine. Loo or bedroom doors as things of privacy became lost to me when the DC started arriving.

Idon't have any DSD but i do sense it would be different as they have a DM who perhaps isn't bothered about doors either. However, she is allowing her DD to stay in another's home where she is suit in suitable sleeping arrangements. How has this come about?

and the person who should be pivotal here and managing this properly seems to be absent from the situation? He has presumably 'wanted' his DD to sleep over in unsuitable arrangments too? What message is it giving to his DD to not provide her with space and expect others to all go without their privacy too and have a sense of not 'being allowed' to speak out easily about this?

Its clear that DSD should not be sharing with your DS, or you. if you are not both very comfortable with sharing a private space then its not working. Ordinarily walking in on a DM is no biggey, DSD seems very comfortable and not considered the privacy issue, with no idea that you would instantly have whipped off your panties, and you live in fear of her DM.

So there are many issues going on here. They all revolve around your DP and you already alluded to this.

Any agency involved would not allow his DD there in these circumstances. She doesn't need to stay over, she can be there all days at the weekend. She is pre/pubescent and is very old for this situation. Why is she not living with her DM and spending time over with DF as and when she wants? Doesn't sound like anyone's happy, neither should they have to be and DP's finding it easy to ignore it all.

Everyone does seem to be fitting in around DP/DF.

How on earth did an arrangement come into being with two opposite sex siblings over 4/5 have to share the same living space? its wholly wrong and everyone is going to suffer for it.

I don't believe you 'have' to share your body with them at all, and yes, do have your privacy and teach them boundaries, but how is that possible in practice when they are being given none?

Its the set up thats wrong. I think you've not done anything wrong per se, but that you can't even feel comfortable to speak to her about simply knocking a door speaks volumes really, somehow you are walking on eggshells around this whole situation.

Both those DC need their own space. Have the DSD one week and the DSD the other, then everyone has their own space and privacy.

I went through a similar situation, but courts and outside agencies involved. the DF was trying to force DD to sleep in his gf's DS room, but i was told clearly this will not happen as it infringes the DCs rights, both of them. His alternative was to have her sleep in a communal area whilst everyone else had privacy, both options are wrong and tell the DC their needs are not important and that privacy doesn't matter, and as everyone has acknowledged on here, it really does!

swingofthings · 21/04/2015 09:10

This is ridiculous. What kind of arrangement do you have that you can't just say to her that you would appreciate if she asked to go and stay in the bedroom and knock if she comes in? Really, you would need to ask your OH to ask her? What message does this give?

It's not about the words, it's about the tone of voice. If you say this to her in a way that shows that you consider her presence as an attack to her privacy and that you don't want anywhere near your bedroom, then of course it's not going to go well. However, if you explain to her that your bedroom is your place and that although you don't mind if she goes there at times if she can't be in her bedroom, that you would like it for her to ask and explain about not liking changing in front of other people, ie. everyone not just her, than there is nothing wrong with that.

I've had that conversation with my own children without any taboo and they don't consider me a horrible mother as a result, so why should it be different with a step-parent?

SoupDragon · 21/04/2015 10:14

Any agency involved would not allow his DD there in these circumstances

Really?? Hmm

PeruvianFoodLover · 21/04/2015 13:22

swing The complex emotional conflict a stepchild feels about their stepparent is a world away from the confidence they have in the relationship with their own parent.

Posts on this board every day remind stepparents that their DSC just do not and should not relate to them in the way a DC relates to a parent - the relationship is temporary, fragile and voluntary. How many times have we read here that a DSC didn't choose their stepparent? Of course, they didn't choose their parents, either, but there is a biological bond that has been established from birth.

Parents hold a unique position in their DCs lives - and the relationship dynamic is unique, too. A stepparent cannot hope to be accepted as a parent; cannot say and do the things a parent does and be received in the same way! That is especially true when the DC has two parents in their lives.

It's not unusual for stepchildren to resent their stepparents kindness and love due to the complex and conflicting emotions they experience - and it is certainly not unusual for stepparents to find themselves unable to do right for wrong as a result.

alwaystryingtobeafriend · 21/04/2015 15:04

The kids residence is at their mums. The council won't entertain us. They have their own rooms at their mums and they are only with us some times in eyes of councils. Even though it's 50/50.

Anyway its just how I feel about the whole thing. I dont think it's too much to ask to knock before entering.

OP posts:
smotheroffive · 21/04/2015 23:31

50/50 is shared parenting, coparenting. Its nothing to do with where they sleep. Its 50/50 responsibility for major decisions, around schooling, health, diet, lifestyle NOT where they sleep. clearly the council won't entertain it, and in my experience the courts made it clear there is no 'suitable accommodation' for the different sex children.

and no, its not too much to ask for a knock before entering. whats obvious is that for some reason, it is.

Likely this is to do with the dynamic of DSC, but potentially also a lot else is going on. Mainly that you are asking this question and DP is possibly completely ducking responsibility when he has his DC in his home when its not appropriate.

smotheroffive · 21/04/2015 23:33

and yes, completely agree with Peruvian - complex/conflicted.

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