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.

Older DSC starting to want to come less

31 replies

KingKung · 25/05/2022 18:27

Anyone been through this and had their DH try and compensate for it through Disney dad'ing?

It's driving me up the wall.

Two DSC, teens, have started to want to come less (they are supposed to be here 50% of the time.

From an outsider's perspective i.e. mine, I get it. They are more interested in their friends these days than going to dad's half the week. We also have young shared DC whereas mum does not so probably a more chilled out vibe at hers. It personally hasn't worried me, they haven't suggested it's anything other than just growing up and wanting to stay at 'home' which they see as their mum's.

However I appreciate from a parents perspective i.e. my husband's it must hurt and be upsetting.

However, the way he goes on trying to make up or change this is really putting a strain on me. Any time they stay it has to be all eyes on them, the whole time DSC focused, everyone supposed to stop what they are doing to just be in their presence kind of thing.

Buying expensive 'treats' all the time that we can't really afford, trips out, takeaways every time, making me feel bad if I make plans elsewhere when they decide to visit that sort of thing.

It's driving me up the wall.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
candlesandpitchforks · 28/05/2022 14:06

Finallylostit · 28/05/2022 13:09

Don't exaggerate Handbags - that thread said no such thing.

You wanted his room for an office but were not prepared for your son to have to share with DSS when he did stay over - with a blow up mattress. You felt he should kip on the sofa

In a difficult world of step parenting - why make this worse by telling absolute whoppers.

what are you talking about ?

HandbagsnGladrags · 29/05/2022 12:54

Finallylostit · 28/05/2022 13:09

Don't exaggerate Handbags - that thread said no such thing.

You wanted his room for an office but were not prepared for your son to have to share with DSS when he did stay over - with a blow up mattress. You felt he should kip on the sofa

In a difficult world of step parenting - why make this worse by telling absolute whoppers.

Sorry but you're talking shite.

BalloonsAndWhistles · 29/05/2022 20:23

We found that once DSD got to 16 (and got her 1st long term boyfriend) twice monthly visits naturally stopped. She now hasn’t stayed since before the pandemic. DH felt really bad at first until I asked him how much time he spent with his parents at that age 🤷‍♀️ Kind of put it into perspective.

lassof · 29/05/2022 20:43

It's moving more towards how things will be in the future, isn't it? Meet up at the football, cycling holiday weekend, takeaways, go out for a meal? I dunno, I wouldn't see that as Disney Dad at this stage, just parenting teens you don't see all that often. It is like that with my eldest now they are at uni - we meet up once in a while, take them out for a meal, day out etc.

candlesandpitchforks · 29/05/2022 20:57

BalloonsAndWhistles · 29/05/2022 20:23

We found that once DSD got to 16 (and got her 1st long term boyfriend) twice monthly visits naturally stopped. She now hasn’t stayed since before the pandemic. DH felt really bad at first until I asked him how much time he spent with his parents at that age 🤷‍♀️ Kind of put it into perspective.

I think this is spot on.

I think a lot of parents lose perspective because it was such a long time ago since they were teens and have forgotten what it felt like to be other side of the coin.

The kids or SDC aren't doing it at anyone just kinda doing what teens do. The things that feel deeply personal to someone aren't always a personal thing.

GlitteryGreen · 30/05/2022 14:04

I think a lot of parents lose perspective because it was such a long time ago since they were teens and have forgotten what it felt like to be other side of the coin.

I agree, and also think it can be harder for non-resident parents because they don't even get to have those small daily interactions with teens that live-in parents do so I suppose it can make it all feel very distant.

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