Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Step-parenting

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

Indulging kids

35 replies

squishy20 · 28/10/2021 20:25

Does anyone else have a DP that indulges every single thing the kids ask for? My partner literally cannot say no to his kids (SS12 and SD10). Snacks, sweets, treats, drinks, Roblox/Fortnite digital coin things, days out, stopping at the corner shop for a treat, activities (or stopping an activity early because they're bored)... you name it, they ask for it, they get it. I don't ever recall him saying no to anything they have requested.
It's absolutely infuriating to watch from the sidelines. I'd love to just "Nacho" it but often it impacts me and why should I have to compromise? Our life revolves around indulging every whim of his kids.

How do you cope with it?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
HopelessSinking · 28/10/2021 20:34

I'm assuming they are not with him full time? Does he try to compensate for this by being Disney dad?

Blendiful · 28/10/2021 20:59

Yes and no.

My DP would say he absolutely does not. But often he does give in on things and jump to every thing very quickly. And often stuff that he would pick up on if for example my kids we’re to ask for the same.

Don’t get me wrong he does lots for my kids too.

But I get what you mean about it being hard to watch from the sidelines. There are times when DSS will say can I have… or even he won’t ask, DP may say, do you want any… (insert anything here).

I feel he does try to indulge them, to make them happy and enjoy being with him. But they enjoy it anyway without all that so I don’t think it’s necessary.

The thing that annoys me most are the small things he does it with. Worst one for me being ‘we need to have pizza/burger etc for dinner as such and such has asked for it’ no because we have a menu which is set to space things out, use all the food etc, with so many people in the house adjusting it to suit what everyone wants on separate days just wouldn’t work. And as I do sorting this out it winds me up. If I didn’t do that I couldn’t care less. I’ve started saying it you want to change it around fine, but then I’m not doing it anymore you can sort it, so don’t ask me
What’s for tea or whether it’s been got out ready etc, you change it round, you sort it out from then on. Seems to have stopped that happening.

He’s not a Disney dad as such, but he can be that way inclined sometimes for sure.

squishy20 · 28/10/2021 21:14

He has them every other weekend and half of school holidays (I.e now)! I think it’s definitely over compensation (aka Disney Dad)! It’s like he’s scared about saying no - as if something awful will happen if he does say no!

The ironic thing is he regularly brings up with me how bad his kids manners are and how ungrateful they are!!! Hhmmm? I wonder why that might be?!

OP posts:
squishy20 · 28/10/2021 21:18

@Blendiful

Yes and no.

My DP would say he absolutely does not. But often he does give in on things and jump to every thing very quickly. And often stuff that he would pick up on if for example my kids we’re to ask for the same.

Don’t get me wrong he does lots for my kids too.

But I get what you mean about it being hard to watch from the sidelines. There are times when DSS will say can I have… or even he won’t ask, DP may say, do you want any… (insert anything here).

I feel he does try to indulge them, to make them happy and enjoy being with him. But they enjoy it anyway without all that so I don’t think it’s necessary.

The thing that annoys me most are the small things he does it with. Worst one for me being ‘we need to have pizza/burger etc for dinner as such and such has asked for it’ no because we have a menu which is set to space things out, use all the food etc, with so many people in the house adjusting it to suit what everyone wants on separate days just wouldn’t work. And as I do sorting this out it winds me up. If I didn’t do that I couldn’t care less. I’ve started saying it you want to change it around fine, but then I’m not doing it anymore you can sort it, so don’t ask me
What’s for tea or whether it’s been got out ready etc, you change it round, you sort it out from then on. Seems to have stopped that happening.

He’s not a Disney dad as such, but he can be that way inclined sometimes for sure.

What you say about planning meals is exactly what I mean. It’s not always practical, logical or rational to indulge the whim of a 10/12 year old who has no idea about what’s in the cupboard/use by dates/availability/time pressures. Let alone the fact, of why should they get just because they asked - life is not like that!
OP posts:
BadlyFormedQuestion · 29/10/2021 08:57

It’s really hard when your partner goes all Disney dad like this. It’s not nice feeling like life revolves around pandering to the whims of stepchildren. And worse because you know it isn’t good for them either - they need boundaries and consistency and for dad to feel like an adult.

In what particular ways is it affecting you? Maybe we can help you to come up with ways around specific frustration points.

mummytotwoboys0600 · 29/10/2021 11:13

Oh this would frustrate me. I'm lucky my partner is a tight arse and doesn't splash out on his children. They always moan they are bored but expect to be "entertained" when they are here.
Perhaps try and explain. It's a waste of money; or kids need to be bored sometimes. He's over compensating and it's not helping. The more they get; the more they want.

candlelightsatdawn · 29/10/2021 11:38

I think there are certain hills you must die on and the rest you have to suggest then let it go.

Easier said than done. Ie dinner is dinner, we know you like it but we aren't a restaurant you don't put in a request and we jump. Manners are expected of all children and adults (kids get really into picking up if needed and his dad aren't polite) so that's always a source of amusement.

Money's been a issue here of late. Bills, essentials come first and it's allocated at beginning of month and literally cordoned off. Whatever is left over is up to parent to spend on children as they see fit and I don't (anymore 😵‍💫🙄🙄) bail DH if he's blown all his money on a random game DSD needed that min and doesn't ever play and then grizzles he has no money rest of the month. I point out that he needs to manage his money more effectively like I do mine and maybe he won't have a problem next month but say the choice is his. We have a excel document for all bills costs which has been a life saver.

When kids tell me they are bored I ask what do they want me to do about it. And say I can charge them for entertainment but it will cost them and that usually brings a smile and light hearted response from kids. It's about quite boundaries and enforcing them. If they want cinema ect I say well we can plan it for next month on this date and put it in diary so kids know it's happening and can get excited, that gets added to the money spreadsheet and we go on. It's amazing how much these random days out cost and I'm not made of money.

My advice find the hills your going to die on. You not your DH (because his hills are dictated to by the whims of the kids).Plan accordingly. I didn't realise money was at the root of my frustration until I was that frog in the hot water. Check in with yourself.

If he's grizzling about the kids being rude suggest ways to tackle it (or if he's just venting nod, smile and detach in your head) and then say cheerfully but it's his domain, his parental choices and I respect your choices and whatever consequences those choices brings you will have my full backing. That usually enough for me to stop feeling guilty I haven't got a magic wand to fix all the problems. I would also make sure your not cross when you say that out loud or it will come across narky.

Sometimes Disney dads need to know it's their choices that lead to the kids behaving in a certain way and that's actually not there kids fault as he sets the tone.

Don't let him complain and put the responsibility on to you or the kids. Act as a team mate, and if your team mate is slowing down, don't keep trying to drag him with you. 100lbs of man is heavy to drag.

Wine helps too xx

Tattler2 · 29/10/2021 12:13

If your partner is not meeting his share of the household expenses ,you have a problem; beyond that how he spends money that he earns should be his business.

If he has poor money management skills, that is not rectified by saying no to his children. The solution to that problem would be for him to learn how to properly manage his money. a solution might be to have him consult a financial planner.

I don't often say no to my kids for things that the ask for; I work hard so that I can provide all of their needs and a good bit of their wants. I return , I expect them to work equally hard at being a good student and an overall good person.
I do not expect my husband to make an financial contributions to the support of my children ( that responsibility belongs to me and to their father) , and in turn as long as my husband meets his agreed upon financial responsibility in our household, I do not care how much he indulges his children.

RaisedByPangolins · 29/10/2021 12:21

Mine literally can’t say no.

They will ask for something that I know he doesn’t want to get them eg “can we go to hobbycraft on the way home” and he answers “haven’t you already got lots of art stuff?” Several attempts to cajole him into it and several more non-committal replies along the lines of “what specifically did you want from there?” or “every time I go in that place it costs me £100!” etc and he’ll then moan that he had to spend money on a load of art supplies, apparently not realising that he did indeed have an option which was to say fucking no in the first place!

It’s infuriating.

They’ll phone him when he’s here and say “can you send me some money” no please or thank you. They’ve spent all their “pocket money” so he just tops it up with more money.

It’s the main reason we don’t live together tbh because I couldn’t expect him to do the same for my 3 dc and I couldn’t/wouldn’t be able to afford to do it for them either, so we’d end up with a 2 tier family. Not gonna happen.

This is the benefit of it literally not being my problem. It’s annoying to hear, but his money, his kids, his problem when the hobbycraft trip becomes a car or a house!

candlelightsatdawn · 29/10/2021 12:29

@RaisedByPangolins that would genuinely drive me crackers.

Honest to god I don't know how you haven't asked him in a very sweet voice, your acting like you didn't actively chose to go to hobby craft or suddenly unable to say no. Have you become a mute.

I don't blame you for keeping houses separate tbh at least your kids won't mimic his and then you have a whole nee ball game on hands.

SpaceshiptoMars · 29/10/2021 13:00

@squishy20

Does anyone else have a DP that indulges every single thing the kids ask for? My partner literally cannot say no to his kids (SS12 and SD10). Snacks, sweets, treats, drinks, Roblox/Fortnite digital coin things, days out, stopping at the corner shop for a treat, activities (or stopping an activity early because they're bored)... you name it, they ask for it, they get it. I don't ever recall him saying no to anything they have requested. It's absolutely infuriating to watch from the sidelines. I'd love to just "Nacho" it but often it impacts me and why should I have to compromise? Our life revolves around indulging every whim of his kids.

How do you cope with it?

How does his pandering affect you? Are you simply horrified at the type of future citizen he is raising? Or does this take your money and your time to keep them in the manner they wish to be accustomed to?
squishy20 · 29/10/2021 13:27

The pandering impacts me because the kids have all the power. What we do, when we do it, how long we do it, where we go (if we even go), when we go home/end an activity is all decided by them..
The drinks/sweets/cakes mentioned in the original post are actually all the trivial surface things - the bigger picture is, whatever they say/want dictates what we do.

OP posts:
SpaceshiptoMars · 29/10/2021 13:34

What we do, when we do it, how long we do it, where we go (if we even go), when we go home/end an activity is all decided by them..

Maybe you need alternative plans for when they are with you? How much of the time are they at your place?

squishy20 · 29/10/2021 14:09

@SpaceshiptoMars

What we do, when we do it, how long we do it, where we go (if we even go), when we go home/end an activity is all decided by them..

Maybe you need alternative plans for when they are with you? How much of the time are they at your place?

I think you’re probably right. They visit every other weekend and half of school holidays.
OP posts:
BadlyFormedQuestion · 29/10/2021 14:25

I agree that the answer may be for you to just make your own plans for those weekends and the holidays.

If their father chooses to have his entire weekend organised according to his children’s whims, that’s his choice. You can leave him to that and get on with your life.

You may find you get push back because you’re not ‘doing things as a family’. So be prepared for that.

SnowWhitesSM · 29/10/2021 17:27

I always always always plan something to do with my friends on a Saturday night when dss is here. I'm not joking it saves my sanity every other weekend.

I work late on the week nights dss is here.

I do me and I don't change my plans cos dh changes the plans to accommodate dss. I've made us take two seperate cars on holiday before to make sure the plans we have made thinking about all of the dc are carried through.

My dms moving to a coastal place. I cannot wait and will be down there Fri to late Sunday once a month whatever the weather.

Fill your own cup up OP. The more I backed away and did my own thing the more dh stopped letting dss dictate. I was very honest with him and told him that I'd never go on holiday with dss again after the last one where dss ruled him. He has stepped up massively, although this weekend apparently he wants a stress free weekend (ie letting dss do what he wants weekend). I am planning on having a movie night with my dc (they are welcome to join us but meh if they don't) and seeing my best friend. My weekends revolve around me and not pandering to dss. I fill my own cup.

HelloDulling · 29/10/2021 17:34

I can see how it would be irritating to feel someone else is dictating what you do and when, but it’s only four days a month, versus the 26 days a month when he doesn’t see his kids. If it makes him happy, leave him to it and make your own plans.

squishy20 · 29/10/2021 17:53

@HelloDulling

I can see how it would be irritating to feel someone else is dictating what you do and when, but it’s only four days a month, versus the 26 days a month when he doesn’t see his kids. If it makes him happy, leave him to it and make your own plans.
I forgot to add, he has them 1 week night a week too (plus as it’s half term he’s had them 5 additional days this period (on top of the usual weekend). The week nights tend to be easier as they basically come, eat tea and go.
OP posts:
squishy20 · 29/10/2021 17:55

@SnowWhitesSM - I like “fill your own cup”. True!

OP posts:
Coffeepot72 · 29/10/2021 18:44

I used to suffer this. DH had DSS for EOW plus one mid week night, and while his intentions were good, he was 100% Disney dad, terrified that DSS wouldn’t continue visiting unless his every whim was indulged. Totally infuriating, and only people who have experienced it truly understand.

HogDogKetchup · 29/10/2021 19:17

Yup and now he’s an indulged child who’s approaching his teens and nobody can say no else he kicks off.

squishy20 · 29/10/2021 19:20

Thank you for understanding

OP posts:
Ibizafun · 29/10/2021 22:41

RaisedByPangolins I have one like yours. When I met him his children had never heard the word no, and he used to make sure the youngest won every game we played.. she was not allowed to lose.

We got married, I reined him in as the requests got bigger and more ridiculous and now they hate me.

squishy20 It makes my blood boil. Now they are adults, when I see him sending them money he just says “they didn’t ask, I offered!”

BadlyFormedQuestion · 30/10/2021 08:10

@HelloDulling

I can see how it would be irritating to feel someone else is dictating what you do and when, but it’s only four days a month, versus the 26 days a month when he doesn’t see his kids. If it makes him happy, leave him to it and make your own plans.
Except… that’s not quite what it’s actually like. It’s half of all the time you have off work. And it’s dedicated to indulging a child because that’s the path of least resistance.

Fair enough if he wants to do that. But the whole ‘it’s only 4 days; you’ve got 26 other days’ is a bit disingenuous. My H used to pull that line all the time, but it isn’t the same when 22 of those days are just taken up with the logistics of working. He was asking me to give over half my time off to indulging his children (over mine).

Coffeepot72 · 30/10/2021 13:03

@BadlyFormedQuestion absolutely. Our life used to be completed dominated by a non resident teenager. It was ridiculous