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Dislike Dss

34 replies

BlueSnow18 · 03/09/2016 20:15

I've been with my partner for nearly 2 years and he has a 5yr old ds. This wasn't a problem until we moved in together. I've got a 2yr old ds who is picking up very quickly all of dss bad habits. Things such as eating with mouth open, using hands to eat instead of cutlery, not saying please and thank you, jumping on furniture and sighing when asked to do things.
Dss is not my son and if I say anything to him it causes a lot of upset (I told him off for picking his nose and wiping it on the sofa!) it ended in tears, sulking and his mum having words with my partner about it.
I feel terrible as it's not his fault, he was brought up with manors not being important, but I dread the weekends we have him as ds is always so naughty during and after his visits.
My partner is good at keeping on top of prompting him to remember his manors but it doest help with my feelings towards him, especially as I feel at 5 you shouldn't have to prompt a child to remember their manors.
Please tell me I'm not a bad person for feeling like this and it gets easier!?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
allthecarbs · 04/09/2016 13:38

5 year old boys are a lot of work if you don't love or even like them. Do you think you could ever like him? I'd get out now if not. It's not fair on him.

swingofthings · 04/09/2016 16:00

Rules in a house should be made jointly. Disciplining decisions should be that of the parents. Ideally, the two should match but it doesn't always. In that case, it is about compromises, but ultimately, when the parent is present, they should take on the disciplining rather than living it to their partner to do.

What I often see is the parent not agreeing with the rule of the SP, but going along to avoid conflict. This means that they leave it to them to impose the rules, resulting in the child rebelling and the parent not supporting the SP because ultimately, they don't agree or are not bothered by the rules that the SM wishes to impose.

When OH and I got together, the first thing we discussed after realising that we were definitely compatible with each other was whether we were also compatible with our views on raising children. From my perspective as a mother, no way was I going to accept any new person in my kids' life (who they didn't pick) to dictate how I should raise them. Similarly, my OH was not going to share his life with someone who didn't respect rules that are essential to him for his happiness/well-being, so somehow, we had to have quite a similar perspective on it.

Thankfully we did. Still it is not easy. Cute kids become monster teenagers and dealing with them as a parent is very different to dealing with them as a non parent, mainly because however much they annoy, frustrate, disappoint you, as a parent, you are still able to love unconditionally. This is not the case for a SP. My OH finds my teenage boy very difficult at the moment and I can see why. I can also see why my son feels unloved by him. What helps is that my OH best friend confided in him that he was having difficulties with his own son (who is a year older) so helped him realise that it wasn't just SP who struggle. However, I am grateful that he has chosen to ignore my DS behaviour rather than confront him and trust me when I say that that period will pass and things will get better.

OP, speak with your OH and reach a compromise in terms of what minimum manners you both agree should be adhered to and then let him do the disciplining. It will always be much better received if it comes from him. That of course when he is around, if you are with him on your own, it should be clear that you are then in charge.

eyebrowsonfleek · 04/09/2016 19:49

You're not a bad person to find your dss irritating when he wipes snot on the sofa but I'm hoping that you like him sometimes too.

Does your partner agree with your standards? If not, the relationship is doomed. You will be Bad Cop while he will be Good Cop and you will appear to be unreasonable like every stepmother in fairy tales. I suspect he's not as bothered about manners he would do the verbal disciplining and stick up for you in front of his ex. The fact that the ex moans that you are disciplining him makes it sound like your partner hasn't really enforced manners etc until now.

I haven't read the other replies but I hope that you remember that dss has two parents so don't blame the mother only.

5 year olds are very different to 2 year olds. 2 year olds will happily help dust, collect laundry or fill a dishwasher with you but a 5 year old won't. School set my kids back too. They stopped flushing the loo, wouldn't blow their nose as often as before and have asked why they can't sleep in uniform so they don't have to get changed the next day.

Fianceechickie · 04/09/2016 23:01

Sorry but all the op says the bad behaviour is affecting her feelings slightly for the child. I'm assuming, because I always assume the best in people, that she is nevertheless being warm, friendly and caring towards this child which, given the fact he doesn't even live with her is going to be fine for this child. To suggest that she chucks in her relationship with all the upset that that would entail for both kids I just don't get...just because she's admitted her feelings aren't fantastic over him??

Bananasinpyjamas1 · 05/09/2016 11:26

You're not a bad person, but consider that this dynamic may not work for you all. It may not get easier.

I've had teenage DSCs and the biggest factor was being undermined by their Mum, and a weak DP, and a general lack of rules full stop.

Your DP let's his child be unruly, and if the Mum also lets the child do this then it is not going to change necessarily. I'm just preparing you.

If I were you I'd try to get in a third party, even go to a parenting class with your DP and try and agree some rules between you for all your kids. I know it sounds over the top but it could really be worth it. It'll change the dynamic of him and his Ex parenting by proxy in your house, and make it more you and DP parenting together as more of a team.

If you want to stick it out. Why don't you sit down with your DP now and literally list out all the things you want for your kids, including nice things i.e. nice dinners at home together, good times. Then put some of the 'problem' areas, be really specific, and then agree to tackle the 'top three' together.

Also, get your DP to spend one to one time either in or out the house on these weekends for at least a day. Preferably out so he'll be more aware of his sons Behaviour in public! So that you get a break, his son gets his Dad to himself. His son may well feel a bit unequal as now he is in your house with different rules, he won't understand why he's suddenly being asked to changed, and so getting him to trust you and be on side it also important if the child isn't going to build resentment.

Good luck! Flowers

Wdigin2this · 11/09/2016 17:08

I think Blue is getting an unfair roasting on here, she came here for help/advise not a bashing!
My advise to you Blue is step back, it's his DF's job to teach him manners, and yes 5 year olds do have to be constantly reminded....but leave it to his dad!
Do you have to be present every time he visits, can you take your DC out/do your own thing/visit friends....obviously not all the time, but if he comes over every other week, maybe you can take your DC out for one of the days?

Wdigin2this · 11/09/2016 17:10

PS: Encourage your DP to take his son out, maybe to see other relatives, or for a burger etc, it'll give them time alone together, and you some peace!

BlueSnow18 · 26/09/2016 20:38

So I've taken the good with the bad in regards to replies. Ive had a strong word with myself and realised I am being a stresshead. I hadn't spoken to dp about it and hadn't spoken to dss about it so it's just been bubbling up inside until I posted it on here (which I now know not to do).
I've been working on my role as a step parent as it is still all new to me and I've admitted I have no idea what I'm doing or where my place is, all I know is the rules my ds has to live by and the rules in our house. Dp is great at communicating to dss that while he's here he has to try to stick to these rules too.
My relationship is better then ever so sorry to disappoint but me and dp won't be splitting up Grin

OP posts:
lookluv · 26/09/2016 22:04

Do post - beacuse sometimes putting it down makes you realise what you need to doand in your case - actually confront the issue rather than festering!!!
Gakd it has got better some people post good and some bad but it does usually let you see the middle sensible gorund out of the extreme replies!

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