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Step-parenting

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DP insists on sleeping with DSD

285 replies

Lena007 · 06/09/2021 13:03

It doesn't sit right with me.

Have been together with DP 1.5 years. He has one 8 years old DD. We live separately but there are talks about us renting together in the nearest future.

DSD is with her dad 50% of time, just various days/ times/ nights. All fine.

She is a lovely girl, we all spend some time together but most of the time she spends with DP on their own. I spend some time with her too, just the two of us to slowly build a nice relationship.

Whenever I am at DP's and stay overnight when DSD is there I am expected to sleep in the spare bedroom so they can share the bed in the master bedroom. DP calls it 'their room' ie his and DSD's. It has been going on for over 6 months.

Initially I thought, ok, she needs to adjust and settle in the new place and accept the fact her dad is in a new relationship (first relationship after he split with her mum), but that's not that. She says one day she would love to go on holiday with me and DP but of course she is having one room with dad and I can sleep in another hotel room. DP just changed subject because he had seen shock on my face.
On the same day she says to DP that she wants to sleep in the spare bedroom on her own, to which DP replied ' No. I'm never going to leave you like that ' and he insists he sleeps with her whenever she is at his. I have heard her saying it at least 3 times. They stay up late watching tv/ netflix cuddled up on the sofa then they both go to bed together. I'm sat on the second sofa and then go to bed there on my own.

I've raised it with him and he says it is him who wants to sleep with DSD, not her. He says he loves her so much and misses her, that he loves failing asleep and waking up next to her and he isn't going to do anything about it because it is just a way it is and he wants to sleep with her. Then I've said it doesn't make any sense for me to stay overnight at his when she is here, I would rather be at my own place if I've to sleep on my own anyway. He says that he doesn't want to spend less time together and he wants me to be a part on their lives and be here when DSD is here too, and that he would expect me to behave like an adult, not to be jelaous and just understand and accept it because he would. I have told him I thought it was only a temp solution and in standard relationships adults sleep together instead one adult being delegated to the spare bedroom when children are here. He said that we aren't in a 'normal' relationship and will never be because he doesn't get to see his DD every day.
I would understand it if she needed to sleep with him, but no, it is him insisting on it.

He says if we rent together this will change and he will be going to sleep in DSD bedroom sometimes and I won't have to sleep in the spare room. But it still just doesn't feel right.

Aibu?

OP posts:
Mayhemmumma · 08/09/2021 13:18

I'm a social worker and would hope that in some perhaps discreet way you'd let the child's mum know that she's not happy with the arrangement, not in an accusing way just wanted to check in, not sure what her regular sleeping arrangements are but I've heard her say a few times she would be happier to sleep in the spare room against DPs wishes and perhaps you could check with her.

If you have the right relationship with the child, I would be looking at some gentle info/books about consent and touch. Nspcc website as a starting point. And if she says she wants to be in another room when you are there, speak up for her and voice your agreement.

Again if you have the right relationship/contact- I would notify school that she's expressed she's unhappy with arrangement and this is hard for DP to hear; if she talks about worries to school staff this is something for them to be mindful of.

On the basis of the comment he made about your relationship, I'd also leave him but that's just my opinion.

StarshipsAreMeantToFly · 08/09/2021 13:37

Do you think this is the right thread for a 'light hearted comment' suggesting the OP stays with her man? completely missed it was meant to be light hearted..WTAF!

Starseeking · 08/09/2021 18:01

Thanks for updating @Lena007, it can't have been easy for you to make that call.

I hope you have some good friends/family who are able to support you while you grieve the end of this relationship.

Boredmotherofone · 09/09/2021 21:18

@Lena007 Hi did you get to speak to NSPCC, OP? x

Lena007 · 10/09/2021 08:33

Hello Smile

Yes, I did.

They have asked a few questions about our relationship, and about DSD's relationship with both parents and whether anything happened before which made me feel uncomfortable. I have answered all questions and the general conclusion was that they didn't seem to be that concerned. They said there seems to be a little bit of control on DP's side and I was asked to speak to him again and tell him that co sleeping should be lead by child and if DSD feels she wants now to be on her own he should respect that, I can tell him this is what they advised. They have also said that just because DSD sleeps with both parents it doesn't mean there is any form of sexual context there.

I have messaged DP yesterday and asked him not to make any plans for Saturday as we are going shopping for DSD's bedroom stuff and that I assume he had enough time to educate himself about why children need their own space and sleep in their own beds if this is what they want. He phoned and said he didn't realise he made me so upset and that he didn't mean to (I told him I couldn't sleep at night because of that conversation we had but didn't go into details yet). He said he was thinking about it too and I was right, it would be good for DSD to have her own bedroom and sleep there if this is what she needs and that he should accept she is getting older and things change.

Before this situation and posting here I really thought we did have a great, equal relationship. I always felt respected, even if we disagreed on something, there was always a decent conversation and a compromise we both were happy with. My feelings were heard and boundaries respected in all other areas. I didn't feel DP needed or wanted to be in a control, in fact, quite opposite.

I think I went through a shock initially after posting on here and started to think how is it possible I got it so wrong? It had never crossed my mind he could hurt DSD in any way, I have seen them together a lot over the last year and never noticed anything odd or inappropriate, except of this sleeping together which I think is going to stop now.

I have distanced myself for now and gave myself a time to observe.

OP posts:
GoogleWhacked · 10/09/2021 09:03

Well done for sticking up for this little girl @Lena007! Glad to hear NSPCC weren't concerned, and that it put your mind at rest. I agree that co-sleeping isn't necessarily an issue, but it should be child led not because the parent wants to keep their child a "baby".
I hope the girl enjoys her shopping trip, it's so exciting for her!
Don't be surprised if she does want to co-sleep on occasion, but at least it will be her choice. She is getting older, so it will dwindle & she will want her own space more and more as she gets older.

Elieza · 10/09/2021 09:23

This has been a horrendous journey for you OP. I’m so glad you put the needs of the little girl first and were very brave and did the Right Thing.

It was have been easy to bale but you kept with it.

I hope you can be happy in the future whatever you decide to do. And that the little girl is happy in her new bedroom!

Graphista · 10/09/2021 11:27

I'm actually genuinely shocked at the complacent and passive responses both from the claimed sw pp and nspcc

As I said before this is deeply unhealthy and I would be amazed if there is not at least preparation for physical sexual abuse to be happening here.

Seems children still aren't being protected by those supposed to do so

Op you've done all you can and I applaud you for that

As for the so called experts I despair I really do! No wonder there are repeatedly horrific cases come to light where the authorities are found to have KNOWN something was wrong and did fuck all!

KimDeals · 10/09/2021 17:51

OP you’re doing such a lovely thing for this girl, and also for their relationship.

I’m a single parent and I have a young DS and DD. I have a boyfriend/partner of many years. We choose not to live together. However, it’s really, really important, for my son to not feel like he is my “equal”, or “the man of the house”. It is my son, the younger of the two, who slightly has his nose out of joint when DP stays over. It is literally ONLY about the sleeping arrangements. My DS doesn’t even sleep in my bed! But he has a slight growl about someone sleeping in there with me. But that’s a very important part of growing up for a child, otherwise… well all those adults with mother complexes etc - that’s how they are created! The child can think they fill a vacuum - be that a partner for Mum or dad (I mean psychologically, not literally).

So all of this is very good for both the dad, your boyfriend, to be thinking about now and for her sake too.

I don’t get a feeling it was sexual but I did feel it was going to create the strangest of dynamics between them as she grew up.

Anyway, just wanted to say that.

Lottapianos · 10/09/2021 18:08

'I'm actually genuinely shocked at the complacent and passive responses both from the claimed sw pp and nspcc

Same here.

That said, huge well done to you OP for sticking up for this little girl. Good luck with your decision about the relationship

ChequerBoard · 10/09/2021 18:19

"I'm actually genuinely shocked at the complacent and passive responses both from the claimed sw pp and nspcc"

And me too. If nothing else this disclosure needs to be recorded somewhere. If and when the DSD makes any other disclosures to her mum, school etc then these facts need to be able to be joined up.

It's often the building up of a variety of pieces of information from different sources that can make all the differences when identifying cases of potential abuse.

BlytheElena · 11/09/2021 23:01

Eww. Makes the hairs on the back of my
neck stand up.
Tbh even if the 8 year old wanted to share the bed (which she doesn't btw which makes it SO weird and creepy) 8 is far too old-boundaries should be in place by then.

Lena007 · 12/09/2021 08:59

Thank you very much for all kind words.

I expected NSPCC would want to inform school and possibly get SS involved, and if this was their advice I would follow it. I think their advice is based on assumption that, as a default, parents don't want to hurt their children and if parents don't act in child's best interests it is reasonable approach to educate them first and raise alarm bells if nothing changes then. But this is a dangerous assumption to be made without further investigation.

We went shopping yesterday. To say that DSD was over the moon would be an understatement! It was such a lovely trip and I enjoyed it as much as her. My heart grows when I see her so happy. Before DSD knew the plan (I wanted it to be a surprise), she told me that DP had a chat with her about us three living together and her sleeping in her bedroom when that happens.

She absolutely loves ther new bedroom and has spent last night there. She said it was one of the best days of her life when she could decorate this room and make it her own. When we were shopping she asked me a few times if this is for real, and if does it mean she can now sleep on her own? It's like your dream comes true and you still can't believe this is happening! She was so excited and happy, but also so relieved (so was I tbh) that finally someone heard what she was asking for.

In terms of my relationship with DP, I'm not sure what am I going to do. I will give myself a time to make this decision. I would want to observe both of them and the dynamics in their relationship and be comfortable with what is going on. DP's willingness to listen and to acknowledge my feelings, and him being prepared to make changes will be a crucial factor.

The comments on this thread had my eyes wide open and I'm so glad I posted. Thank you Thanks

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 12/09/2021 09:41

I just so disagree with these people who have said there is nothing wrong with co sleeping in the circumstances you describe. There is.

Elieza · 12/09/2021 11:14

@Viviennemary I don’t think you could have read the whole thread properly and taken everything into consideration.

And adult man telling a child that he won’t allow them to sleep in another bed even though the child wants to sleep in that other bed.

And you think that’s ok? Please read the thread. All of it. And reconsider.

Viviennemary · 12/09/2021 11:37

No. Sorry I did nor make myself clear. I dont think its right an eight year old girl should share a bed with her father. Whether they want or not. And I am surprised the NSPCC and others think it's ok.

gamerchick · 12/09/2021 15:27

Because there's nothing wrong with it if it's child led Hmm not everyone sees sinister things in co sleeping.

BlytheElena · 12/09/2021 16:09

Gamerchick- why would you not want your 8 year old to be happy and confident to sleep in their own bed in their own room? Child led co-sleeping at 8? Surely that means there must be something wrong...anxiety of some kind?

SpongebobNoPants · 12/09/2021 16:18

Concerns about sexual safety aside…an 8 year child consistently co-sleeping with a parent is very very odd.
Either there’s a weird emotional dependency between the parent and child or severe anxiety at play. It’s not normal for a kid of that age to want or need to sleep with a parent every single night

gamerchick · 12/09/2021 16:21

@BlytheElena

Gamerchick- why would you not want your 8 year old to be happy and confident to sleep in their own bed in their own room? Child led co-sleeping at 8? Surely that means there must be something wrong...anxiety of some kind?
What I find odd is grown adults who can't sleep without their OH. How they expect to go to bed at the same time, hate it when the OH is away or out and can't sleep until they're back and people understand. How seperate beds in a relationship is seen as taboo.

But a child who doesnt want to sleep alone is odd?

One of those is weird, certainly.

marmaladehound · 12/09/2021 16:24

I have a confident happy 8 yr old daughter. Sometimes she wants to sleep with me or when I am on nights with her dad. Totally child led, she's capable of sleeping on her own in her own bed, but sometimes she wants to co sleep. We did co sleep until she was 4, and as long as it's child led and works for the family, is wonderful. I appreciate its certainly not for everyone. My DS was never interested in anything but his own cot.

@BlytheElena @gamerchick the thing wrong here was not the co sleeping but that it was adult led.

OP really glad you got to get everything for her own bedroom. I really hope her father starts listening to her and putting her needs first from now.

SpongebobNoPants · 12/09/2021 16:29

I have a confident happy 8 yr old daughter. Sometimes she wants to sleep with me or when I am on nights with her dad
That’s lovely, my kids are similar. That’s a nice occasional request, not a “need” of the child or parent so it’s healthy.

Also @gamerchick both of those scenarios are really odd in my opinion

KylieKoKo · 12/09/2021 17:08

@gamerchick the point of this thread is that the girl did want to sleep alone and her dad wouldn't let her.

gamerchick · 12/09/2021 17:13

[quote KylieKoKo]**@gamerchick* the point of this thread is that the girl did* want to sleep alone and her dad wouldn't let her.[/quote]
Yes and then it evolved, as threads do. If you're going to say it's wrong even if the kid wants it then someone is going to say something.

bringincrazyback · 12/09/2021 19:08

What I find odd is grown adults who can't sleep without their OH. How they expect to go to bed at the same time, hate it when the OH is away or out and can't sleep until they're back and people understand. How seperate beds in a relationship is seen as taboo.

Agree. Unless there's a specific reason, that always seems needy and pathetic to me.