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AIBU?

252 replies

CherylPorter350 · 25/01/2022 07:56

Now I'll start this off with I am a SM and understand it can be trying at times. This...erm..rant is about my DC's SM.

Her and exDH are getting married in March...been together 8 years and they have one DS. My DC have made various comments that she runs the house and nothing is done without her approval or say so. Now my DC are 12 and 13 and I take everything they say with a pinch of salt...theyre teens...need I say more.

But...due to their wedding stuff...ive helped out in rearranging schedules so essentially kids won't see their dad for 3 weeks. He'd arranged to take them out Sunday but SM took ill. He then cancelled their day out as if SM couldn't go none of them could...as it was a family day. They had booked a trampoline park and a meal out.

I went off on one and asked him why the DC should miss out...he said he'd take them to mcdonalds but the "fun" day out had to be rescheduled till they could all go.

This isn't the first time he's been unable to do something due to SM plans...but it is the first time my DC were really hurt by it.

AIBU for being pissed off?

Surely a grown ass woman would not want to stop kids having fun with their dad just because she can't go??

As a SM and mum...I just can't imagine stopping any of our kids fun...or my DSC enjoying time with their dad. I'd be disappointed I couldn't go...but thats life...and I'm an adult.

Rant over

OP posts:
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candlelightsatdawn · 25/01/2022 22:49

@funinthesun19

You say, yeah she's said some nasty things...but that's DP fault...is she not an autonomous being? Just seems like anything I've mentioned that she has done is glossed over and attributed to DP. She has a mind of her own. If someone spoke to her child in that fashion I'm sure she would be just as outraged...as would any mum.

I haven’t glossed over anything. Her swearing at your children and being nasty is entirely unreasonable.

Ohh I missed the swearing part !
Louisa4987 · 25/01/2022 23:03

Still going on about SM thenHmm
I mean this kindly OP can you really not see that your frustrations are misguided here? To the point that it's coming across as totally obsessive? Your ex is the one with responsibilities to your children , not the SM.

She may have got things wrong and made shit decisions, but haven't we all?! She's not the one with a duty to love and care for the children, that's your ex and he appears to be the one that you should probably be directing your anger at. Every single time you post you drag everything back to "but SM"... it's not healthy for you or your kids so I really hope you can find a way to stop obsessing over her it can't be doing anyone any good.

CherylPorter350 · 25/01/2022 23:10

@candlelightsatdawn

I suppose op *@CherylPorter350* many have said maybe she's a she devil of a SM (who knows) but based on what you put here (and I have missed the text post so maybe I would change my view point) I don't think anything is horrifically wrong SM has done from what you have shared, maybe questionable in places but overall fine - I really don't see a issue with the rescheduling part tbh I think this is red herring.

All pp have said there another perspectives to the situations you have encountered.

You asked aibu and seemed to be getting cross that we aren't all lynching the SM and agreeing. Which I have to say is unusual because that's usually what happens on this board tbh.

What I am struggling with is that a lot of the comments here have been empathetic to you as a mum, but you seem to find that your ex being pointed at as the problem a issue and I don't know why ? It's not like his actions are reflection on you, he's a ex so I'm assuming no lingering unfinished business and frankly hes the only one you have some weight with to change. All in all a situation that could be improved.

Which if it really was the SM being a absolute toss pot, you literally couldn't do anything about that other than despair that your ex has bad taste in women. Even so if he agreed SM was evil or blind to it, he's still making the active choice to bring in SM into the kids lives and that's a choice on his part which in my eyes would make him just as evil in that situation.

You said in your previous post "it's bad enough I have to accept it's a ex DH problem" why is this bad ? I'm not being contrary or unkind I genuinely don't get why this is bad. I would get it obviously if it was your DH but it's not he's your ex so it's not on you.

The "bad enough" appears to be auto correct...I actually accepted...on many occasions it was an exDH issue but that appears to have fallen on deaf ears and the attack on me continued. I've realised nothing I said would of really been taken notice of, I had criticised SM and that seemed to be the focus...regardless of when I accepted others views.

when my son didn't want to go to his dad's as all the arguing between them, SM text him saying he was cruel for not going as his little brother wanted to see him and would now bug her all day.

OP posts:
Magda72 · 25/01/2022 23:15

You say, yeah she's said some nasty things...but that's DP fault...is she not an autonomous being? Just seems like anything I've mentioned that she has done is glossed over and attributed to DP. She has a mind of her own. If someone spoke to her child in that fashion I'm sure she would be just as outraged...as would any mum.
Yes they would but the issue is still one of it being up to your exh to pull her up on this. HE has invited this woman into your dc's lives - she didn't force her way in the door - & the buck stops with him. The only reason that your dc are having to bear any negative impact from this woman being in their lives is that their father is actively allowing it.
It's like blaming the ow for a marriage breaking up when the person who actually broke the marriage up is the one who broke HIS marriage vows. People act like these women have mystical powers that render men incapable of fidelity/being an active parent etc. thus totally letting the men in question totally off the hook for their actions.
Your dc's sm could be a total weapon but if she is it is your exh who is completely at fault for not taking action & protecting his dc.

Magda72 · 25/01/2022 23:17

when my son didn't want to go to his dad's as all the arguing between them, SM text him saying he was cruel for not going as his little brother wanted to see him and would now bug her all day.
And she should absolutely not be doing things like this but again, the fault lies with your exh for allowing her to speak to children in such a manner.

funinthesun19 · 25/01/2022 23:22

It seems here you've acknowledged her behaviour is wrong but she's somehow only guilty by association and its put back on exDH. Like it's being justified almost.

I acknowledged that some of her behaviour is wrong. Effing and blinding at a child is wrong no matter who is saying it. The way she spoke to your children is a separate issue to the other things you have described on here.

My point is re the guilt by asssociation, is that there’s probably a lot more going on. He’s probably messed you about, messed her about, messed the kids about, been selfish and an arse like many dads are in these situations. And every time that he does it I get this feeling that you minimise him and focus more on her.

CherylPorter350 · 25/01/2022 23:26

@Louisa4987

Still going on about SM thenHmm I mean this kindly OP can you really not see that your frustrations are misguided here? To the point that it's coming across as totally obsessive? Your ex is the one with responsibilities to your children , not the SM.

She may have got things wrong and made shit decisions, but haven't we all?! She's not the one with a duty to love and care for the children, that's your ex and he appears to be the one that you should probably be directing your anger at. Every single time you post you drag everything back to "but SM"... it's not healthy for you or your kids so I really hope you can find a way to stop obsessing over her it can't be doing anyone any good.

Realistically what you have is a snapshot of one instance where I raised a SM issue, im in no way obsessed and live a pretty full life with an amazing family. I have 5 kids, 3 dogs, my in DH and a successful career as a solicitor...I don't have time to be obsessed. I gave other instances, that I've never raised, as examples after basically being told I should evidence where she had done something wrong.

Yes people get things wrong...hence why I never raised them. I'll say again...yes it is an exDH issue, there are faults on many sides though.

It seems mumsnetters are very hypocritical...my ex has the responsibilities, its nothing to do with SM but on the other hand SM should be involved in all contact as they are a family. Either they are a family, all taking some sort of responsibility for their own actions or its all exDH responsibility and she takes a back seat.

No matter what I say its twisted.

I've also already said, I'll speak to my children, discuss contact they are comfortable with and leave it to exDH to deal with the consequences of HIS actions. Removing any unnecessary tension/stress for all...including SM. Again no notice taken.

I have taken on board all constructive comments. Yes I've been defensive but essentially people have made comments/judgements based on limited information. Comments such as my kids kick off, they make up stories, they're old enough to handle it themselves, my children are poor buggers due to my mothering skills, im deluded.

If I were to give all the background, the full picture I'd need to write a bloody book.

Take it for what it is, a small snapshot of a bigger picture where, in reality me and SM have had no issues...ive had no concerns until fairly recently.

OP posts:
CherylPorter350 · 25/01/2022 23:31

@funinthesun19

It seems here you've acknowledged her behaviour is wrong but she's somehow only guilty by association and its put back on exDH. Like it's being justified almost.

I acknowledged that some of her behaviour is wrong. Effing and blinding at a child is wrong no matter who is saying it. The way she spoke to your children is a separate issue to the other things you have described on here.

My point is re the guilt by asssociation, is that there’s probably a lot more going on. He’s probably messed you about, messed her about, messed the kids about, been selfish and an arse like many dads are in these situations. And every time that he does it I get this feeling that you minimise him and focus more on her.

Again this is an assumption based on limited information. I can assure you I have had many conversations with my ex in respect of his surface parenting style. I've sat down with him and DD to try and help them communicate, I've also spoken to my DD about being more forthcoming in respect of her needs and to compromise with her dad. When my ex has said well SM deals with that I've defended her and said they are his responsibility as is his effort in his relationship with them.

I'll reiterate...I had a rant, misguided or not, I did not deserve to have my parenting attacked or my comments/assumptions in relation to mine or my children's behaviour when you guys had no information at all in respect of that

OP posts:
ClaryFairchild · 25/01/2022 23:38

I really can't see why you're getting such a hard time in here. Somehow your ex is a shit but you're the one at fault? Fuck that for a game of soldiers.

Your ex and his fiancée are behaving badly. And you know what? Your DC need to hear that you agree that both he and his fiancée are behaving badly. Stop with this "never say anything negative about the ex and his partner" crap. Stop trying to advise them of how they themselves can handle it differently or view it differently. It's not fair on them.

Just say "I'm so sorry your dad isn't doing the right thing here, and neither is his partner. I'd love for you to have a good relationship with them but it's not all on you for that to happen. If they don't do their bit, that's up to them. and if you ever have enough of it just let me know and we can change the arrangements."

CherylPorter350 · 25/01/2022 23:42

@Magda72

You say, yeah she's said some nasty things...but that's DP fault...is she not an autonomous being? Just seems like anything I've mentioned that she has done is glossed over and attributed to DP. She has a mind of her own. If someone spoke to her child in that fashion I'm sure she would be just as outraged...as would any mum. Yes they would but the issue is still one of it being up to your exh to pull her up on this. HE has invited this woman into your dc's lives - she didn't force her way in the door - & the buck stops with him. The only reason that your dc are having to bear any negative impact from this woman being in their lives is that their father is actively allowing it. It's like blaming the ow for a marriage breaking up when the person who actually broke the marriage up is the one who broke HIS marriage vows. People act like these women have mystical powers that render men incapable of fidelity/being an active parent etc. thus totally letting the men in question totally off the hook for their actions. Your dc's sm could be a total weapon but if she is it is your exh who is completely at fault for not taking action & protecting his dc.
Yes, I agree, he is actively allowing it...and as he hasn't put a stop to it I have raised it with him. I never contacted SM to call her out...its their relationship. I contacted the father of my children, communicated with him concerns regarding our children.

Do you suggest a mum takes a back seat and does nothing just because an ex allows something on his time?

OP posts:
CherylPorter350 · 25/01/2022 23:45

@ClaryFairchild

I really can't see why you're getting such a hard time in here. Somehow your ex is a shit but you're the one at fault? Fuck that for a game of soldiers.

Your ex and his fiancée are behaving badly. And you know what? Your DC need to hear that you agree that both he and his fiancée are behaving badly. Stop with this "never say anything negative about the ex and his partner" crap. Stop trying to advise them of how they themselves can handle it differently or view it differently. It's not fair on them.

Just say "I'm so sorry your dad isn't doing the right thing here, and neither is his partner. I'd love for you to have a good relationship with them but it's not all on you for that to happen. If they don't do their bit, that's up to them. and if you ever have enough of it just let me know and we can change the arrangements."

Yes, my DC deserve to feel empowered enough to deal with the situation. Unfortunately at 12 and 13 they don't. They need to feel supported, if I take a back seat what does that tell them.
OP posts:
Starseeking · 25/01/2022 23:56

I know my issue is my ex

It's odd, then, that you started this thread to rant about your DC's SM.

Someone said to SM "your daughter is beautiful" she replied with "she's not my daughter"

I can guess how pissed off you'd have been if the SM had claimed she was your daughters mother, no doubt another rant would have appeared here!

The SM can't win with you, however the real villain of the piece is your EX. You should have cone here saying you came to rant about your EX. You know who he is, you know he leaves the parenting to women, and yet here you are complaining about the woman doing the parenting.

If I was you, I'd have been bright and breezy with the DC "oh SM is ill today, let's wish her well and you can all go trampolining as a family when she's feeling better". Reframing things like this positively will do wonders for your DC, and their relationship with their Dad and SM.

Magda72 · 26/01/2022 00:05

Do you suggest a mum takes a back seat and does nothing just because an ex allows something on his time?
No I don't & believe me I have been where you're at. However, I realised that no matter what I said to my exh he just would not listen to me - in his eyes I was jealous & his partner (now dw) was perfect. In fairness she was/is generally very good to my dc but there were quite a few incidents that I couldn't let go. Realising that he would not listen to me I started going to the dc directly.
I never bad mouthed anyone as a person but I pointed out unacceptable behaviours to them.
I would say things like "your dad/sm really shouldn't have said that & I feel if it's making you unhappy you need to speak to them about it & make your voice heard as you should let no one say x to you". I also always pointed out that it was their dad's job to parent them/spend time with them as they were very inclined to damn sm for everything & see their dad as the 'victim' which he absolutely is not.
It was very difficult striking the right balance and all three dc also went to therapy at different points but I felt it was very important to not be complicit in letting their father off the hook while scapegoating his dw. And in truth I often felt that exh was scapegoating her too when he felt like not taking responsibility for his actions.
I discussed this ad nauseam with my own therapist (who agreed) as I really needed my dc to learn to advocate for themselves as me trying to do so never helped.
Now my dc all have a very good relationship with their sm & their dad but they take none of his carry on & it's quite funny seeing how they now manage to keep him in line & call him out if they need to.
I really do understand your frustration @CherylPorter350. The above is meant helpfully but I'm not sure if it will.

Starseeking · 26/01/2022 00:18

[quote worriedatthemoment]@Getyourarseofffthequattro how it going not allowing your sdc to never have time alone with their dad?
Do they not deserve this ?
I live with my kids father yet we still do things one on one with them at times as thats nice also
We were on holiday abroad and I was ill in appt for 2 days , my dh and kids went out and did things planned why should we of all sat in with just. Me ill as I am an adult and can get over it and why should all suffer
It was a trampoline park as well not exactly a once in a lifetime day out or a weekend away [/quote]

It sounds like the Dad in this case doesn't actually want to take out all 3 DC on his own. If he did, he'd just have gone! The SM is being made a very convenient scapegoat here by all parties.

CherylPorter350 · 26/01/2022 00:22

@Starseeking

I know my issue is my ex

It's odd, then, that you started this thread to rant about your DC's SM.

Someone said to SM "your daughter is beautiful" she replied with "she's not my daughter"

I can guess how pissed off you'd have been if the SM had claimed she was your daughters mother, no doubt another rant would have appeared here!

The SM can't win with you, however the real villain of the piece is your EX. You should have cone here saying you came to rant about your EX. You know who he is, you know he leaves the parenting to women, and yet here you are complaining about the woman doing the parenting.

If I was you, I'd have been bright and breezy with the DC "oh SM is ill today, let's wish her well and you can all go trampolining as a family when she's feeling better". Reframing things like this positively will do wonders for your DC, and their relationship with their Dad and SM.

I think if you read the posts....I stated that I accepted....after many attacks it was an ex issue.

I would not have been annoyed if SM just kindly acknowledged the compliment given. For reference...I have never ranted before....ive also said that..this was the first time I've raised a SM issue.

In the same vein....you say SM can't win...nothing I say here...no matter what I agree with or accept the attack continues.

OP posts:
CherylPorter350 · 26/01/2022 00:31

@Magda72

Do you suggest a mum takes a back seat and does nothing just because an ex allows something on his time? No I don't & believe me I have been where you're at. However, I realised that no matter what I said to my exh he just would not listen to me - in his eyes I was jealous & his partner (now dw) was perfect. In fairness she was/is generally very good to my dc but there were quite a few incidents that I couldn't let go. Realising that he would not listen to me I started going to the dc directly. I never bad mouthed anyone as a person but I pointed out unacceptable behaviours to them. I would say things like "your dad/sm really shouldn't have said that & I feel if it's making you unhappy you need to speak to them about it & make your voice heard as you should let no one say x to you". I also always pointed out that it was their dad's job to parent them/spend time with them as they were very inclined to damn sm for everything & see their dad as the 'victim' which he absolutely is not. It was very difficult striking the right balance and all three dc also went to therapy at different points but I felt it was very important to not be complicit in letting their father off the hook while scapegoating his dw. And in truth I often felt that exh was scapegoating her too when he felt like not taking responsibility for his actions. I discussed this ad nauseam with my own therapist (who agreed) as I really needed my dc to learn to advocate for themselves as me trying to do so never helped. Now my dc all have a very good relationship with their sm & their dad but they take none of his carry on & it's quite funny seeing how they now manage to keep him in line & call him out if they need to. I really do understand your frustration *@CherylPorter350*. The above is meant helpfully but I'm not sure if it will.
No, I absolutely appreciate your post, its constructive and helpful.

I have made attempts to encourage my kids to advocate for themselves and I have defended SM when they've said things. It's maybe something I could improve on though. I've sought some therapy for DD who lacks confidence (probably why I found the dismissal by SM to the beautiful comment hard to swallow) and I'm hoping this helps her find a way to communicate her wants and needs to her dad on her own terms. My son is pretty good at communicating himself and is a very confident wee character so my worry for his is less so. He has, and does, question his dad on certain things.

Like you, despite previous posters opinion, i haven't allowed my kids to damn their SM but there have been some things I also couldn't let go. This was maybe the wrong battle to pick, the day out, but it was just the latest in the line of an emerging pattern.

OP posts:
Starseeking · 26/01/2022 00:39

If issues like this come up in future, you'd be best leaving Dad to deal with them. By all means mention an issue if your DC don't feel confident to, but you need to accept you can't control what goes on in their home, even if you don't like it.

candlelightsatdawn · 26/01/2022 04:17

@CherylPorter350 The "bad enough" appears to be auto correct...I actually accepted...on many occasions it was an exDH issue but that appears to have fallen on deaf ears and the attack on me continued. I've realised nothing I said would of really been taken notice of, I had criticised SM and that seemed to be the focus...regardless of when I accepted others views.

when my son didn't want to go to his dad's as all the arguing between them, SM text him saying he was cruel for not going as his little brother wanted to see him and would now bug her all day.----//

Ahh that makes sense ! I did wonder (auto correct has done this to me several times to Sunday)
I think what happened is you did a lot of updates which is great (and most people don't) but I suspect like it usually does people don't always read all of them or read all of them well or at all. That's not your fault just might explain why people kept covering things that had been covered in previous updates. I can quite see how that can come across like a lot.
This board and MN this happens a lot and is frustrating, not that really will bring you any type of solice

So I think as a DM it's natural to want to throttle anyone who hurts your kids. I think @Magda72 post hit it on the head really.

I don't think it's acceptable for anyone to be verbally nasty to kids, yell at them or put adult feelings on children. Something I bang on and on about on this board to little avail. That text wasn't right because it wasn't really her place to say that, it was for the ex to raise if it was a issue (i know you must want to brain me for saying that). However he has allowed that situation and I don't doubt probably encouraged it and I think that's what a lot of people are trying to point out (on mass) . With a added few shaming comments which again isn't ok. Your not a bad mum for caring about your kids fyi so don't take that to heart.

I think what you have actually been driving at and correct me if I'm wrong but you want a solution right ? I personally would go the route Magda suggested actually.

I would also say when people say don't get involved what goes down in their house, it's not people saying don't care because your human and a mum and of course your gonna care so that's not gonna fly, but for your own sanity and your kids it's important for you to empower them to see the situation without the loyalty bonds that bind. Also speaking frankly im not sure how much traction your going to make (sorry to sound like a Debbie downer but sounds like your ex has no reason to change - sadly)

, I'm from a blended family and I view things now very differently than I did as a child. As a child I thought my Dad was great and evil sm kept him away but as a adult I realise he was a Disney dad who didn't really care enough and how my SM did most of not all the work and he repeatedly threw her under the bus, didn't throttle him I will never know.

Help your children hold the dad accountable or anyone actually accountable, and use their own voices to say hey don't swear at me (regardless of who's doing the swearing).

I speak as DM now it's the worst part of my family being divided allowing loss of control over protecting my DC directly from things that upset them on his time . I can usually trace back any hurt my DC has experienced on his watch usually down to his shoddy parenting or choices (which makes me more cross because it feels like he's got no reason to be better) and I get on with my ex btw so im not bitter about him !

I am happier to a degree actually when I don't heavily think about what goes down on his side of the fence, and I think you might be too and I have to hope I have instilled a fairly large voice in my DC to raise issues. Easier said than done when you have upset children or children of a shy nature, but eventually progress will be made maybe some counselling for the kids might help ? Horse therapy and acting classes really helped my fairly shy and reserved DSD come out of her shell (sorry total side note there) and now she's a lot more outspoken generally.

Summary is the SM may be a problem, certainly some of those things are problematic. The bigger problem is your ex is making the conscious choice to invite SM in to a leadership role which he should be manning himself. In that situation really all you can do is protect your MH, build your kids voices up, and try not to get to embroiled in their house (I'm not saying you don't have a right to want to protect kids) it's because I don't doubt the ex is loving on some level you two fighting . Also I don't know how much trying to convince your ex to do the right thing will do but you certainly will have more of a chance than with the SM because of how the ex is allowing things to be handled things.

I'm hoping this came across in the spirit it was meant and not harshly. In step parenting we have "nachoing" which is a useful tool for when things are getting a bit much and it helps deescalate things somewhat , I wonder if there's a version of it for DMs, on the flip side ?

CherylPorter350 · 26/01/2022 07:25

@candlelightsatdawn like @Magda72 post, I appreciate your post and also find it constructive and helpful.

I did do a lot of updates, mostly out of sheer shock that a lot of the things I said were ignored (maybe just unread given the volume of traffic) and I'll admit I got a bit frustrated at that fact.

I think the ultimate issue has arisen as way back when we separated the children were babies and ex couldn't handle them so I was asked to step in and help him diffuse situations in his home. Looking back, hindsight is a wonderful thing, I should never of allowed and just let him get on with it. When SM came along that was very much still the case. Not that I interfered with their plans or anything like that but if the kids, my DS in particular who threw massive tantrums, were upset he would call me. Taking a step back I can realistically see that the situation has changed since their child came along and, undoubtedly, that has changed SM views. I stand by my comment that issues in their relationship and her frustration/emotions in respect of that are hers to manage as an adult.

As much as it may not have come across, I really have defended SM on many occasions over the last couple of years, since their child arrived, because I know its hard. It's hard having a baby with a man who is my ex, blended families are hard because I was both a child of divorce and I'm now a SM too. I have asked my kids to look at what she does for them, explained having a baby/toddler is hard work and at times her nerves will be tested. The occasions she has, IMO, been in the wrong have been fairly recent and I don't know what's going on in their lives to know what prompts it. I do know, having asked to be involved in his parenting for so long, it's hard when my kids hurt and I cant say/do anything becsuse it's SM.

In terms of nacho my ex...believe my own DH has said this, that he won't change and me getting upset/angy or speaking to him won't help because ultimately he sees nothing wrong in what he does. Now my own DH would also love to throttle him but that's because he sees the upset he causes me and the kids.

Like I said, I think there have been some good suggestions in terms of finding ways to help the children advocate for themselves. My DD therapy starts soon so hopefully building her confidence overall helps in that. My son, has no issues calling his dad out. In fact on one occasion he wanted to stay with me on contact time to go out with his SD a d DSB, I obviously tried to sort it, ex said no. My son said that dad plays poker every Friday so he didn't see an issue. My son called his dad and explained he didn't saw why he couldn't stay at mine when he wouldn't be seeing him anyway. The ex had no answer to that. So, maybe that is the key. There is just some work to be done with the kids in that respect.

I hope that post came across in the spirit it was intended too.

OP posts:
candlelightsatdawn · 26/01/2022 07:45

@CherylPorter350 it's Brillant your son calls out dad and he's totally right why would he come over if he's not going to see him and dads off to play poker. Long may he keep doing it !

Girls tend to be a little less naturally assertive (possibly because society tries drill it out of them at a young age) but she will get there and of course you jumped in when they were little any person can see why.

The older I get the more grumpy I get with people such as your ex (and mine and many others) because they rarely see a privileged situation they are in and often shoulder none of the blame.

I hope all goes well with the family and although I don't have any easy solutions for you please note that when your ex is being a prat, there's 100 of angry women on this thread who would also want to throttle him and it's not easy to let that anger go (I certainly swallow rage down sometimes and I do get on with my ex on the whole) I will say this post that seems to be a thing everyone agrees on. Not that it's helpful but with blended families you take the wins where you can right ? Xxx

Magda72 · 26/01/2022 09:19

@candlelightsatdawn I feel the same. Maybe it is age or life experience or something else but I too am sooooo sick of men never having to be accountable for anything. Women are just blamed and scapegoated for so much while men just refuse to take charge of their emotions/actions etc. etc. all the while playing the 'poor me' card!
@CherylPorter350 like @candlelightsatdawn it took my daughter a bit longer to get there with self advocation. Some of this was girls and their daddies stuff & some of it was society making it harder for girls in general to speak up. But she got there & my sons now joke that exh seems genuinely 'terrified' of her lol. Don't get me wrong, she's never rude or impolite but she has learned that No is a full sentence & that while compromise is ok you should never do so if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
I wish I'd been more like her at 16.

funinthesun19 · 26/01/2022 09:30

My son said that dad plays poker every Friday so he didn't see an issue.

Omfg. That is just a piss take. What is he some sort of gangster?

Your son is absolutely right to not want to stay there if his father is out playing poker every Friday.
It’s no wonder his father and SM are having relationship problems. I bet she’s absolutely sick of him.

trumpisagit · 26/01/2022 09:36

I don't think I would want my kids going there given the way the SM spoke/shouted at your daughter.
If they want to go, that's fine, but they are old enough to choose.

funinthesun19 · 26/01/2022 09:41

Maybe it is age or life experience or something else but I too am sooooo sick of men never having to be accountable for anything. Women are just blamed and scapegoated for so much while men just refuse to take charge of their
emotions/actions etc. etc. all the while playing the 'poor me' card!

This 100%!
There are just higher expectations of women from men… and other women too! The bar is set so low for men, and the woman is expected to make up for it.
And yes, men like that love to play the victim.

My past experience has made my tolerance for men like this drop to zero. Especially if they have children.

candlelightsatdawn · 26/01/2022 10:02

@funinthesun19 what really grates on me when you see two women at logger head with each other in a family dynamic . There's usually some hapless man either shrugging he's shoulders going what can you do (when there's plenty he could be doing) or actively encouraging it on both ends.

I'm generalising here but honest to god the fact I like my DD SM and she was one of the OW bugs my ex HB no end. He can't get over it. God knows how many years has past and he's like I just don't understand, he would prefer us to be fighting because then we wouldn't spot his shit or defection of responsibilities so fast.

Sadly for me and and DD SM - his family have happily jumped into excusing making role for him🙄 I can't win them all I suppose

  • sorry for hijacking op just ranting x