Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Step-parenting

Connect with other Mumsnetters here for step-parenting advice and support.

So so so fed up

41 replies

DancingMammoth · 23/08/2021 16:53

It's my first post here and want to see what other people think about my situation. So I have DSS 10 50/50 and my DD 7 full time from previous relationship. So to cut long story short, DSS was on and off annoying my DD pretty much throughout the lockdown. By annoying I mean saying things like who cares when she says something, ignores her sometimes and so on. So it did upset DD and I was fully on it to distract and say my DSS that's not acceptable, rude and bullying. So it did improve something but it was still on and off. His father don't think there's any issues and told me at the time to be harder on kids if they misbehaving. It didn't help me to feel supported. He goes to work while I'm at home with both kids. Every time I was trying to say something to DSS my husband disagrees and chucks in that I'm not like that towards my own child. And honestly I can say that I'm equal about them, however I will not let one child bully orher. But in his father's eyes he is perfect and DD is the one getting away with murder, which is not true. Needless to say I did develop resistance towards DSS and my husband for not trying to see where I'm coming from and every attempt ends a full blown argument followed by silent treatment.
Time passed and DSS somehow matured and both kids got along okay. Plus if DSS tried to be annoying DD could stand up for herself and told him to stop. Sometimes she actually initiates and is annoying first, which I do establish and dealing with it accordingly. So then, Saturday morning I woke up DD screaming from anger. So I got downstairs to see what's going on to find DSS is annoying DD and keeps doing it right front of me. I asked him to stop doing it in a firm voice about 10 until he actually stopped. I asked him why he is not listening to me, he just blank looked at me and said he don't want to. I was so upset. So I asked DD did she do anything to annoy him, and she said no. The thing is about DSS he feels he is entitled to everything and can do what he please, and this particular one was just about that. He didn't led DD to sit on the 3 seaters sofa because he wanted to be comfortable. So after I finally got him to let DD on sofa he run upstairs to his dad to say that I'm shouting at him and DD was so annoying to him. DH storms downstairs shouting at me why I'm being like that. As I'm trying to say him I didn't shout for a starter and secondly what happened, DH got angry and said to me that yes I was shouting why would otherwise DSS said that and secondly it's DD whom I need to sort out as she was outrageous. I tried to say him that sometimes this is a case in which case I would deal with them both but DH didn't want to know. He shouted that I'm picking at DSS and being horrible that he done nothing wrong. Couple of hours later DD intentionally jump on DSS that didn't help and DH witnessed it. He started to screaming at her on top of his lungs. I knew he done it because he thinks I shouted at DSS which is not true and he never listened to my side of the story neither DD. I was so upset after all of it and still I am, silent treatment since then. Went to the shop for 5 min yesterday and he said to take my DD with me as he will not look after her. Tomorrow DSS is back and I will be expected to look after him. I'm not sure where I'm standing. Something really broke in me as I never felt supported in parenting and always ending up on the wrong side while DSS gets away with everything and my DD is the difficult one. I keep trying to do my best for this family and did tolerate so much throughout pur relationship that I'm not sure I still have anything left in me Confused

OP posts:
SpaceshiptoMars · 24/08/2021 10:35

In one way, I'd say congratulations - you've blended the kids to the point that they're acting exactly like full siblings! My DSM developed a fabulous technique when it got to the arguing non-stop phase. She'd put two of us outside the room and set a timer - we then had to argue continuously until it pinged! Never have I ever felt quite so ridiculous!

Now it's your turn. Give counselling a go with an open mind, and see if DH can learn the error of his ways. At least he's agreed to attend, there is a glimmer of light there.

AbsolutelyCrackin · 24/08/2021 13:15

Tomorrow DSS is back and I will be expected to look after him

Well firstly, don't.

And secondly, leave this horrid man.

AnneLovesGilbert · 24/08/2021 13:20

What’s your housing situation? Are you renting? If you had to leave him in a hurry if things escalated, or kick him out, what would you do or need to have in place?

His behaviour is completely unacceptable. You’re very vulnerable if you’re working for him so work out how you can do something else for work if/when that’s no longer an option.

SandyY2K · 25/08/2021 14:44

I do childcare as he physically goes out to work for his business while I'm doing accounting and admin

Are you paid for the accounting and admin?

SandyY2K · 25/08/2021 14:50

Tomorrow DSS is back and I will be expected to look after him

Too many dads fight for 50/50, only to dump their kids on their DP/DW.
If he wasn't with you, would he be having his son half the time?

It's easy to go for joint when someone else is looking after them. He's better off with his mum, while him and your daughter keep bugging each other.

headinthesand1 · 25/08/2021 14:52

@SandyY2K

Tomorrow DSS is back and I will be expected to look after him

Too many dads fight for 50/50, only to dump their kids on their DP/DW.
If he wasn't with you, would he be having his son half the time?

It's easy to go for joint when someone else is looking after them. He's better off with his mum, while him and your daughter keep bugging each other.

I agree. I think child CM is the biggest driver
Aquamarine1029 · 25/08/2021 14:55

Your poor daughter is living in a war zone. Absolutely refuse to watch your stepson again and get the hell out of there.

Starseeking · 25/08/2021 23:02

It's my first post here and I want to see what others think about my situation.

You need to leave your DH asap.

MeridianB · 26/08/2021 08:01

The whole dynamic sounds exhausting and a resolution seems some way off.

I’d stop being responsible for DSS unless and until his father appreciates your help, supports your authority and reciprocates in a kind manner.

But has it all gone further than that now with his constant denial of DSS’s blame and the horrible screaming at a 7yo?

moirarosebabay · 26/08/2021 08:07

@Hungry675tf

I'd do you and your DD a favour and leave him. Sounds like a horrible home for her to grow up in.
This
DancesWithTortoises · 26/08/2021 08:10

Refuse to have DSS in the house if he isn't there. And plan your exit.

Awful man.

TootTootTootToot · 26/08/2021 08:45

You can't expose your daughter to this man any longer. Imagine what might happen if either of the kids are difficult teens?

DancingMammoth · 26/08/2021 18:17

Thank you guys for all your responses. So, some answers so far: we owning a house and through divorce it should go to both sides. That's why I can't leave a property as advised by my solicitor. Secondly, yes I got paid in salary and dividends as I'm owning a half of the business. Thirdly, I refused to look after DSS and they both left to stay with my husbands family. Fourth, I'm having a job interview booked next week and went on 2 sessions with my therapist to calm my nerves down. Fifth, working my way out Smile

OP posts:
Starseeking · 26/08/2021 18:42

Well done on taking steps to protect yourself and your DD OP.

Billandben444 · 26/08/2021 19:15

Well done you! X

LittleMysSister · 26/08/2021 19:25

SandyY2K
Too many dads fight for 50/50, only to dump their kids on their DP/DW.
If he wasn't with you, would he be having his son half the time?

I agree. I think child CM is the biggest driver

I think it's a combination of CM and also the fact that many dads are used to seeing their kids every day but someone else looking after them. So they don't want to lose that daily contact but equally don't want to admit that their lives aren't set up to have children full-time even for half the week/every other. So many are very quick to hand over all the major parenting duties to their partners.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread