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Step-parenting

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Can I please just have a rant about my husband and step son

133 replies

GratefullyDecline · 12/01/2022 11:46

And how much my husband babies him. It infuriates me.

My step son is 12, nearly 13, and is never made to lift a finger, ever, to do anything.

And it's honestly starting to really annoy me. When I grew up, chores were just part of life. My parents were never hugely strict but by that age I was expected to do small things to help out, tidy my room, wash up sometimes, set the table, that sort of thing.

My step son is made to do nothing at all. He's never washed a glass, set the table, has tidied his room less times than I can count on one hand. He doesn't even make his own breakfast before school my husband rushes around in the morning making sure he's got a bowl of cereal placed in front of him whilst he sits there watching TV.

I'm a SAHM and sometimes help out in the mornings. But I am now refusing to take him to school unless the weather calls for it. I'm not messing all the other children around driving a 12 year old 15 minutes down the road. At that age I was getting on public transport for 40 minutes to two towns away to go to school! I also refuse to sort his breakfast out too and if he doesn't make any for himself (which I shout down to him and tell him to do) then that's tough, we'll still be leaving.

His room is absolutely disgraceful. I have given up asking for it to be tidied because DH doesn't enforce it. But I won't go in there to do things now like change bed sheets etc.. there is just shit everywhere, all over the floor, rubbish etc.

I've just had enough and am now completely detaching. Whenever I bring anything up to H he says it's nothing to do with me if he wants to make him breakfast or whatever, fine no it's not (even though it still annoys me watching it), but I'm not going to be expected to do the same.

He says I won't be as hard on my DC when they are that age and I'll be exactly the same which is absolutely not true. I absolutely plan (and do already) to get my children to do some small age appropriate things around the house and I certainly won't be rushing about every morning making pieces of toast for teenagers! My toddler already knows to put toys away and things when asked.

I appreciate this is not my step sons fault, he's never been made to do these things but it's just making me resentful of the whole situation. I understand teenagers are lazy, I'm not expecting the world. But even if he was just asked to do some things, keep his room tidy or whatever, I'd feel better. Even if he didn't actually do it in a weird way?! At least I'd feel like DH had some actual expectations of him and how he treat the house if that makes sense? I used to pull my face at being asked to tidy my room and it wasn't always tidy at all, but my parents still told me to do it, I couldn't have just gotten away with being treated like a 5 year old all the time.

Driving me nuts.

OP posts:
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cosmosforall · 12/01/2022 12:18

I am a 'step-parent' (not married, no joint children so I don't feel step parent is the right label but don't know what is - for my situation) in a similar situation (diff issues) but with 10 year old who is totally babied and does nothing for himself.

This is my framework! Disengage from actively being involved from the things that don't directly affect me such as bed times / unlimited access to crap food / shoes too small. In these cases I offer DP my opinion and offer the help but then leave it.

Things that directly affect me I actively manage as I would my own children under the banner of house rules and consequences . So no one eats with their mouth open ( mine never would anyway but rule applies to all including adults). Age appropriate children get their own breakfast. Showering is generally compulsory. Rooms must be tidy to get clean sheets. Dirty clothes in the basket to get washed etc etc. then if something doesnot happen I say you know the house rules. Any exceptions issues speak to your dad.

It's sounds ridiculous but it works. And I m adopt my Mary Poppins bright and breezy voice and face. Whilst inwardwardly groaning about why a 10 yr old had to be taught how to use a knife and fork at the table rather than use fingers in a bowl infront of the TV.

Liv90 · 12/01/2022 12:19

Hi hun , I know exactly how you feel!!!!
Hope your ok! Xxx

GratefullyDecline · 12/01/2022 12:20

As a SM myself I knew my boundaries, but it never occurred to me that I couldn't ask my SC to do chores in the house

I used to but I was the only one doing it and I'm not just being the nagging SM whilst DH never expects anything. Add to that the accusations from DH of how I'd never get our DC to do that (which is completely untrue, our toddler already does some age appropriate things).

It's to the point where if I've not got round to the dishes yet that day, he'll come and find you in the house to tell you there isn't a clean cup and he wants a drink rather than just wash a cup out... and DH would actually stop what he was doing and go and wash him a cup. He is 13 in a few weeks!

OP posts:
UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme · 12/01/2022 12:20

You're right OP - your way would be better for your step son, never mind anyone else! As you say its in no way the preteen's fault his father treats him inappropriately and has low expectations.

Your husband is doing his son a disservice and being a poor parent - tell him you hope he'll have higher expectations of the younger children than of the poor 12 year old. Poor sod has no chance to develop independence and life skills while his dad treats him as though he's incompetent.

Doyoumind · 12/01/2022 12:24

Don't take your issues with your DH out on your DSS.

He's still a child at the end of the day.

He's almost a teenager and there are ways teenagers function which are just the ways teenagers function that they don't need constant nagging about. I was responsible for some things at a young age which I feel resentful about and wouldn't expect my DC to do.

Pick your battles as there are bound to be more ahead with a teenager and speak to your DH.

Liv90 · 12/01/2022 12:24

Hi I’m all new too this site ,
I’m a step mum to a 11 year old
Been her step mum for around 3 years now I’m looking to chat with other mums in the same situation as me. Does anyone find it really hard at times? I’m not going to lie I’ve been sat on my bed this morning in tears crying I feel like my partner is scared off his own child he hates saying no to her she as him wrapped around her finger and what she says goes it’s really starting me to annoy me anyone else feel like this thanks for listening to my rant xxx

GratefullyDecline · 12/01/2022 12:26

@Doyoumind

Don't take your issues with your DH out on your DSS.

He's still a child at the end of the day.

He's almost a teenager and there are ways teenagers function which are just the ways teenagers function that they don't need constant nagging about. I was responsible for some things at a young age which I feel resentful about and wouldn't expect my DC to do.

Pick your battles as there are bound to be more ahead with a teenager and speak to your DH.

I'm not taking them out on him but I'm also not going to just do these things because my husband does. Does that count as "taking it out on him"?
OP posts:
notyouagainn · 12/01/2022 12:26

I would get breakfast for all tbh. Bedrooms I've always left to their own devices as long as not dirty. But my dc have always had jobs such as emptying dishwasher, bins etc. school definitely make own way there. Exercise is so important. I think you need to rephrase it, suggest acouple of jobs in house as part of dss contribution and walking to school from a health perspective. It will sound less defensive so might be better received.

MamaGaia · 12/01/2022 12:28

You’re projecting A LOT here, and I pick up a sense of envy that his childhood is easier than yours was

SportsMother · 12/01/2022 12:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GratefullyDecline · 12/01/2022 12:30

@MamaGaia

You’re projecting A LOT here, and I pick up a sense of envy that his childhood is easier than yours was
What? 🤣🤣 I had a fantastic childhood, genuinely. My childhood was not hard because my parents asked me to wash a couple of plates and tidy my room.

And getting on the train with my friends to school and back in the morning and afternoon were some of my fondest memories of school, we all used to love it and have a laugh.

OP posts:
TreacleMoon2 · 12/01/2022 12:30

@Liv90

Hi I’m all new too this site , I’m a step mum to a 11 year old Been her step mum for around 3 years now I’m looking to chat with other mums in the same situation as me. Does anyone find it really hard at times? I’m not going to lie I’ve been sat on my bed this morning in tears crying I feel like my partner is scared off his own child he hates saying no to her she as him wrapped around her finger and what she says goes it’s really starting me to annoy me anyone else feel like this thanks for listening to my rant xxx
Hi @Liv90

It might be an idea to start a new post to stop this one getting lost in a different thread xx

onewednesdayindecember · 12/01/2022 12:31

@sadpapercourtesan

There are a lot of references in your post to your own upbringing, your parents, your childhood, your experiences. I think you need to consider that your resentment against your stepson (and your DH for the way he parents him) has nothing whatsoever to do with your own childhood, and the comparison is unhelpful and irrelevant.

Lots of parents still make breakfast for a 12yo, and take them to school if available. It isn't inherently better to make them take the bus, nor is it "babying" to make them breakfast. I do think he should be asked to tidy his bedroom or wash up every now and again - but these are parenting decision - you are NEVER going to be in a position to make them - so I think you need to recalibrate your expectations and try to detach a little. It doesn't sound to me as though your DH is doing anything wrong, nor does your stepson sound abnormal - but you sound very overexcited about it all. He's right that things will look different to you when your children are this age. You don't see it now - but that's rather the point.

Absolutely agree with this post. Very well said.

Also, he’s 12, it’s quite telling that you keep referring to him as a teenager when he’s not one yet.

girlmom21 · 12/01/2022 12:32

It's to the point where if I've not got round to the dishes yet that day, he'll come and find you in the house to tell you there isn't a clean cup and he wants a drink rather than just wash a cup out... and DH would actually stop what he was doing and go and wash him a cup.

This is a piss take. It'd be quicker to wash a cup than come and find you and wait for a cup to be washed.

If you say "wash one up then" will he do it?

GratefullyDecline · 12/01/2022 12:33

Also, he’s 12, it’s quite telling that you keep referring to him as a teenager when he’s not one yet

He's 13 in a few weeks which I've said already a couple of times.

OP posts:
TheWickedStepmum88 · 12/01/2022 12:33

@MamaGaia

You’re projecting A LOT here, and I pick up a sense of envy that his childhood is easier than yours was
Sounds like you're the one doing the projecting... Are you ok?
aSofaNearYou · 12/01/2022 12:33

@Doyoumind

Don't take your issues with your DH out on your DSS.

He's still a child at the end of the day.

He's almost a teenager and there are ways teenagers function which are just the ways teenagers function that they don't need constant nagging about. I was responsible for some things at a young age which I feel resentful about and wouldn't expect my DC to do.

Pick your battles as there are bound to be more ahead with a teenager and speak to your DH.

I mean isn't this basically just "lax parent backs up other lax parent?".

Her DH isn't picking ANY battles. She's not unreasonable or "taking issues out" on the kid to object to that.

UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme · 12/01/2022 12:36

sadpapercourtesan it is impacting her when her step son comes to tell her to wash a cup for him!

Tbh I'd be more worried if I was in the OP's position that my husband had declared he intends to treat their joint children the same way! Its dreadful parenting not to encourage independence and to infantalise children and teens! It does them no favours at all to presume incompetence and foster passivity!

ponkydonkey · 12/01/2022 12:36

My son now 18 was always made to walk to school 20 mins walk up a hill! And I also refused to clean his room unless he helped etc... so I totally agree with all of it

But his dad does exactly the same, babies him. We laugh about it, he still thinks he's 9
it's guilt, not seeing them enough, and sometimes I feel like it's a bit of competition? If that makes sense he wants his son to live him more or something
Any way try and get your husband onside and get the teen to help out or at least help himself!

sadpapercourtesan · 12/01/2022 12:36

@TheWickedStepmum88

You could post on here saying 'my stepson looked me in the eye and smirked as he stabbed my daughter and now she's dead' and the responses you'd get would be 'poor child, he must have felt so insecure and confused, I bet you made him feel like he wasn't part of the family. Anyway it's not your place to discipline him'.

Baffles me that people who aren't stepparents are even on this forum. I don't own a Mercedes but I'm not hanging out on forums for Mercedes owners to tell them how to maintain their cars.

MN is an open forum, so members are free to post wherever they wish to.

Personally I think that is a strength. There are many reasons why people crave echo chambers where they can be sure of validating responses, none of them healthy.

Whatayear81 · 12/01/2022 12:37

Let me guess

Even aside from this issue - you just do not like you stepson do you? Hate the week he comes… yes?

50% of his life with a step mum who resents him. Lovely

girlmom21 · 12/01/2022 12:38

@Whatayear81

Let me guess

Even aside from this issue - you just do not like you stepson do you? Hate the week he comes… yes?

50% of his life with a step mum who resents him. Lovely

What an absurd assumption. Her issues with her husband, not his child.
aSofaNearYou · 12/01/2022 12:39

I do think he should be asked to tidy his bedroom or wash up every now and again - but these are parenting decision - you are NEVER going to be in a position to make them

This is not at all reasonable when a child lives with you half the time. You need to be able to issue instructions.

TheWickedStepmum88 · 12/01/2022 12:40

There are many reasons why people crave echo chambers where they can be sure of validating responses, none of them healthy.

The constant demonising of stepparents, however, super healthy behaviour. Especially for those who are already at their lowest.

SalonSharon · 12/01/2022 12:40

And getting on the train with my friends to school and back in the morning and afternoon were some of my fondest memories of school, we all used to love it and have a laugh.

This bit is the most telling for me. I’d be asking questions about why he wants a lift and doesn’t want to walk with friends. If he’s only 15 minutes walk away then he’s close enough to the school to meet up with them.

Your husband mollycoddles him. Is your SS immature in other ways? IME it’s the immature children who struggle with friends in the early years of senior school.