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Step-parenting

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Partner worried about children from previous relationship

45 replies

Emmasharpling · 17/02/2021 12:04

Me and my partner are just about to start trying for a baby but he is worried how his two boys from his previous relationship will feel. His children are 11&9 and we all have a good relationship, he sees them regularly within his set plan with their mum and i get on with them well. The last few months weve been working on finding a balance for everyone when the children stay at ours to ensure everyone is happy and weve now decided to try for a baby.
My partner is worried how the boys will feel as the baby will be with him 7 days a week but them only 2. I have no intention of anything changing with the way he treats his two children he already has in terms of when he sees them and their relationship etc or with how i will treat them as i want them to feel involved and not pushed out in anyway as this baby would be their brother or sister.
Is it normal for parents to feel this way? Is there anything i can do to reassure him? Or anything we should do to ensure the boys dont feel negatively about a new baby?
Im sure we will work it out along the way it would just be nice to hear from people who have been in a similar situation. ☺️

OP posts:
nevernotstruggling · 18/02/2021 14:18

Here's a different perspective. My dds are 11 and 8. Been divorced since 2012. Exh had a new baby in 2018. It unsettled me but didn't seem to affect the girls much though they were appropriately excited.

They see dad etc eow and sometimes a night in the week. Exh then partner pulled contact right back (not massively relevant to the op tbf) but they spoilt about a year ago and exh tries to have the 3 kids together on the same contact pattern.

My dds love their brother but they are happy to come home and have a break from a toddler. Their half brother is a different story. He lives for his time with his big sisters and is often very upset when they leave. This has increased as he's got older.

My dds have always had each other. Going from being a sibling to an only in the blink of an eye every week is harder I think.

As I said I was really worried about the impact on my dds. There has been zero negatives for them only joy. I hope they stay close as they get older and I will try and support this as dd1 will leave home before he is very old 😢.

nevernotstruggling · 18/02/2021 14:19

@Amanda87

Honestly, this is very weird!!! If he wants a child with you, he should be worrying about YOU!! Of course his boys will be ok! They always are Ok! I'd be extremely annoyed if I were planning a baby and my husband was stressing me out thinking about what children will think. That's ridiculous.
Well....you're a bit selfish really.
Emmasharpling · 18/02/2021 14:22

@LouJ85 thank you for your input its good to hear from someone in a similar position who has children/step children similar ages.
We have said from the beginning we would involve them and try to get them to feel excited about the arrival of their new sibling as its their journey as well as ours. I feel like because of their ages we are more able to talk to them and explain the situation and that its not going to mean they will be forgotten or treated diff by us. I guess we can only see what happens and take each day as it comes and keep talking as a family.

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Emmasharpling · 18/02/2021 14:26

@Bungal00 exactly, i wasnt offended or worried about his concern for his children as we was discussing having a baby this only shows mw he will treat any child of his with the same thought and concern which can only be a good thing. I just wanted to know how i could help reassure him and if anyone had any ideas on how to find a happy balance for everyone once the baby was to arrive but i guess its all learning as you go.

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Emmasharpling · 18/02/2021 14:30

@nevernotstruggling thank you for your input. I guess anyone in the situation is going to worry in one way or another. I would love for the boys to have a good relationship with what would be their sibling and vice versa especially as they are older it would love to see a protective bond and to see them care for the lil one and for the lil one to have older siblings to look up to.
Thank you ☺️ And im so happy that your lil ones enjoy having their younger brother and that the situation didnt effect them negatively.

OP posts:
LouJ85 · 18/02/2021 14:36

[quote Emmasharpling]@LouJ85 thank you for your input its good to hear from someone in a similar position who has children/step children similar ages.
We have said from the beginning we would involve them and try to get them to feel excited about the arrival of their new sibling as its their journey as well as ours. I feel like because of their ages we are more able to talk to them and explain the situation and that its not going to mean they will be forgotten or treated diff by us. I guess we can only see what happens and take each day as it comes and keep talking as a family.[/quote]

That's exactly it - their ages are an advantage as I think younger children might find it harder. For us, we had nothing but excitement from the moment we told them all I was pregnant. His kids also made me the sweetest "congratulations" card saying they couldn't wait to meet their sibling. According to DP it was their idea too. Things don't have to be as hard as your DP is worried about - just take each day as it comes and keep dialogue open with the kids about their feelings / any worries they may have etc. Smile

SandyY2K · 18/02/2021 14:56

On the flipside though it would be entirely unreasonable of him to expect his partner who wants children to wait potentially 10 years for his children to be adults, which is the only time those concerns are likely to resolve.

He would need to specifically seek out a partner that does not want kids to have the luxury of putting it off indefinitely or for a life altering length of time purely because of his kids.

I agree with this to an extent and feel that if you meet a person at a certain age who doesn't have kids, you should be thinking they'll probably want them. If you don't, you should let them know that.

However, I also feel the onus is on the party who wants children, especially if it's a woman, as her time to have children is limited.

In cases like this, the person with children (male or female) has what they want. If the person who wants children is getting resistance, it's for them to decide if they should remain in the relationship, or leave and find a new partner.

I would be rather irritated if I wanted a baby and my partner started talking about how his previous kids would take it.

The worse thing is to waste your fertile years, because at the end of the day, he can move on to another relationship, but if you waste time while he dithersand thinks about it...you can't get the time it back and it could be too late to meet...develop a stable relationship and then have a baby.

aSofaNearYou · 18/02/2021 16:06

In some ways I can see your point. In a nuclear family you'd be unlikely to discuss the conceiving or not of siblings with any existing children, you'd just make a decision as parents to have another one. So I do think it's a fine line between being overly concerned about it and not considering the other children at all. If my DP had said to me when we discussed trying for a baby "but what if my other kids feel pushed out" and was obsessing over this, I'd get annoyed too. But for it to be a consideration and a discussion, fair enough. Like I say, there's a fine line.

I agree with this. It's understandable and reasonable for him to consider how it might affect the other kids, but if it's dominating any discussion about having a child I would be annoyed.

Regarding how to make them feel positively about it, you'll get lots of comments suggesting methods but in all honesty we didn't really do any of the mumsnet things. SS wasn't included in any major decisions like names or decorating etc (we live in a rental so there was no decorating), and he wasn't the first to meet her. In fact due to circumstances, he was one of the last. Despite this, he loves DD and proudly tells anyone who will listen thet she's his "cute little sister". This is probably in part because she's his only sibling and he won't have any more on his mum's side.

I'm sure there are many children that struggle with the adjustment but I haven't experienced it, and I don't think it will automatically be an issue. Are they the kind of children who give the impression it would likely upset them?

Emmasharpling · 18/02/2021 16:18

@aSofaNearYou they arent early upset no, they seem to have dealt with the fact that both of their parents have for new partners etc very well. Him mentioning his boys didnt upset me at all, hes their dad i expect him to take their feelings into account with ant decision he makes in life. We had spoken about having children many times but this conversation was to try now so everything was brought up, from living arrangements to childcare to how the boys would feel so that didnt take the whole conversation if that makes sense it was just one part of it and we spoke and he said he was happy to have a baby now he wasnt resistant i guess just wanted to have an open conversation 🤷🏼‍♀️

OP posts:
Emmasharpling · 18/02/2021 16:20

@LouJ85 aw thats really sweet i hope i get such a good reaction. I think it is just worrying of the unknown, having a baby is a big deal normally but when u are thinking of other children aswell and how they may be effected it makes it even harder. I feel really positive about it and so does he so im just going to enjoy it and adapt as we need to. Good luck with your baby and your family ☺️

OP posts:
LouJ85 · 18/02/2021 16:36

Regarding how to make them feel positively about it, you'll get lots of comments suggesting methods but in all honesty we didn't really do any of the mumsnet things. SS wasn't included in any major decisions like names or decorating etc (we live in a rental so there was no decorating), and he wasn't the first to meet her.

No, ours kids weren't involved to this extent either. When I say asking their thoughts on the nursery, I mean we showed them how we intended to decorate and asked them if they liked it. And name was 100% our own choice of course. It was more sharing with them after the decision had been made, if that makes sense. So "baby's name will be x, what do you think?", and showing them scan pictures etc. I think that's an appropriate level of involvement for kids. When you start going the route of kids helping to choose names I personally feel that's a step too far - that's a very personal decision between the parents. Also, my partner's kids won't be the first to meet baby, that will be my own DD simply by virtue of the fact that she lives with us. But obviously the other kids will be meeting baby as soon as possible afterwards.

LouJ85 · 18/02/2021 16:37

[quote Emmasharpling]@LouJ85 aw thats really sweet i hope i get such a good reaction. I think it is just worrying of the unknown, having a baby is a big deal normally but when u are thinking of other children aswell and how they may be effected it makes it even harder. I feel really positive about it and so does he so im just going to enjoy it and adapt as we need to. Good luck with your baby and your family ☺️[/quote]

Thank you - same to you Smile

nevernotstruggling · 18/02/2021 17:41

[quote Emmasharpling]@aSofaNearYou they arent early upset no, they seem to have dealt with the fact that both of their parents have for new partners etc very well. Him mentioning his boys didnt upset me at all, hes their dad i expect him to take their feelings into account with ant decision he makes in life. We had spoken about having children many times but this conversation was to try now so everything was brought up, from living arrangements to childcare to how the boys would feel so that didnt take the whole conversation if that makes sense it was just one part of it and we spoke and he said he was happy to have a baby now he wasnt resistant i guess just wanted to have an open conversation 🤷🏼‍♀️[/quote]
I think this conversation is really positive. You both sound really sensible and caring people. Wishing you all the best c

Emmasharpling · 18/02/2021 18:01

@nevernotstruggling thank you thats nice to hear ☺️ Im sure we will be fine we just need to communicate the whole time and deal with things as they come up x

OP posts:
ChillOwt · 19/02/2021 09:01

having an 11&9 year old and then a baby will definitely divide up the family when you are together because the baby cannot do what they can do

OP, you could be me really except I'm a bit further down the line. We have our DC now, my DSC were exactly the same ages as yours (both boys too) when our LO was born.

I have to say I actually disagree with the above comment. I found the age gap between them to be precisely the thing that prevented the jealousy and upset that your DH is concerned about.

The fact the baby can't do what they can do yet is good (for us anyway). They aren't jealous of Dad spending his non contact days at a soft play or baby group! And baby isn't jealous of Dad spending time playing Xbox games with his older two or football in the park or whatever. The age gap between them actually means they get to spend time with their Dad doing things they want to do without a young sibling always trying to join in or always being forced to do things more suited for a younger child and vice versa for our LO. And I don't mind being 'left holding the baby' for a little while on his contact days so they can do something together. We spend lots of time together all of us too, it doesn't bother me if he takes a few hours out to do something alone with them as well.

It also meant that they were old enough to be a lot more involved in caring for their little brother. The eldest in particular loves it. When he was first born would sit on the sofa for hours watching TV with baby on his shoulder rocking him to sleep. It was really sweet.

I think we'd have had a lot more jealousy issues had the children been more similar in age i.e. a baby and toddlers.

In terms of practical things we did... we didn't actually do that much. We found it a better approach not to make a huge fuss about it. They weren't included in choosing the name, they didn't decorate the room or anything like that. They asked questions and we answered them when they did. They came to meet him after I got home from the hospital but didn't actually sleep over for the first few days (and contrary to MN belief, they weren't scarred from this either). Even from a more practical point of view in that it was the beginning of the week and they had school so we all agreed it best they not be kept up by a screaming baby whilst we found our feet for the first few days.

One thing though that I did insist on was that I wanted DH to tell them about the baby on his own. I get on really well with them but I wanted them to be free to ask questions and be upset if they wanted to be and not feel bad about it because I was sat there. As it turned out as soon as he brought them home from telling them they ran upstairs to me and excitedly asked to see the scan pictures!

Honestly I don't think we give children enough credit sometimes for their understanding. I can certainly see how these situations can go wrong but also, I think a lot of the time the worry can be for nothing.

In our case, everyone gets on really well, the kids see me and their mum chatting and being friendly regularly. When baby was born, they saw her congratulating us and coming to meet the baby herself and so on. They know their Mum is happy and we get on which I think makes all the difference (and is what has always allowed them to have a great relationship with me too).

There was just no reason for them to feel pushed out. Life has changed for us yes, but our treatment of them has not and I'm confident that the love and care they feel when with us has not either.

Your husband is right to think about this stuff. My husband did. But honestly, I wouldn't think too much about it. I actually think you run a higher risk if you make a massive deal out of it.

Emmasharpling · 19/02/2021 10:09

@ChillOwt thankyou for your response its nice to hear from someone in the same situation as us. Yeah see i dont feel that the age gap will be an issue as you said it should hopefully stop the jealousy and OH will still be able to do things with the baby and boys individually which i think is important and as the baby got older and was able to do more we could find things to sort all of them or as u said im happy to have the baby on my own so he can do different things. I see the age gap a help but didnt know if i was being naive as we are also able to talk to the boys alot more to ensure they are okay and we understand how they are feeling whereas a younger child may not be able to express that so well.
I said exactly that to OH that we would have the boys come over the day the baby is born so they feel they are involved and would have an attitude of they can be as involved as they like when it comes to their younger sibling.
Thats it i said to my partner that the situation will change for everyone but our care and love for them and how we treat them will not and hopefully it gives them another sibling to love and get love from.
I think its natural to worry but since writing this post and having a few more days i actually feel very relaxed about it all and feel confident that as a family everything will be okay. And OH seems excited after the initial thoughts and seems to be very calm also.
Thank you again for your comment ☺️

OP posts:
LouJ85 · 19/02/2021 10:38

@Emmasharpling @ChillOwt

I see the age gap in our situation as an advantage too in terms of avoiding the competitive jealously etc. There are many things the older ones simply aren't going to be interested in doing that we do alone with baby, and vice versa - DP can spend quality time with his older two while I look after baby. There's almost less pressure and need to force the "one big happy family" scenario, because their ages dictate such different needs. This is my hope anyway for when baby arrives in a few months!

Emmasharpling · 19/02/2021 10:57

@LouJ85 i agree and like you id be happy to look after the baby for him to have time with the older two it wouldnt bother me in the slightest ands when we can do stuff together we will. Like u said this then allows us to do stuff with just the baby without feeling like we are favouring one over the others as OH will have time alone with the older two also. Maybe im wrong but i also feel when the baby is very young besides the noise the boys can still do what they do now, games, park, crafts, playstation etc all this can still be done, i dont see it being an issue with a baby there. If the baby is asleep i then have the option of joining in the games etc aswell so our relationship isnt effected.

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emma8t4 · 20/02/2021 09:30

We have a similar age gap our joint ds is 1, my ds is 10,dss is 10 and dsd 12.

Obviously haven’t been able to go out much due to COVID, but I agree with pp about the gap making it easier to split weekends and ensure quality time with age appropriate activities.

All the kids adore their little brother, I was worried about my ds going from being an only child to having a brother but he’s been brilliant. All the kids help out (except we don’t see dsd much at the moment-whole other story unrelated to her new brother) and are keen to spend time entertaining and playing which makes it much easier getting house jobs done than if they were closer in age.

Relationships with all the kids have changed they have to realise their needs will always be met but maybe not their wants if it clashes with the baby’s needs. Eg noisy play when baby is sleeping/ going out when baby is feeding, they are compromises the kids need to make and understand that this doesn’t mean the baby is more important. But yes our weekends do look different and the step kids have had to come to terms with that, no more restaurants on a Friday night as baby needs to be in bed instead it’s a takeaway and film for example. So although the kids are treated differently as a result if their baby brother coming along I don’t see it as a negative thing.

Emmasharpling · 20/02/2021 12:35

@emma8t4 yeah i never saw their age gap as an issue, i always thought it would be older to have older children then younger when introducing a baby. Thank you for giving how you find it ☺️ What you said is very true, our living situation will change and the way we so things but it doesnt mean in a negative way or in a way that means that the baby is more important but as like u said quieter play while babys sleeping same way that you would stop a toddler for example doing certain things when the older ones are playing etc.

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