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Step-parenting

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Step kids at weekend

375 replies

Bananarama77 · 20/04/2023 16:46

I’m really unhappy about this situation but not sure if I’m overreacting.
My DH is due to have his kids this weekend & he usually picks them up from school on Fridays but this weekend he has commitments to work so he has asked me to collect them from school which usually wouldn’t be a problem however I have plans to meet friends & I was hoping to get a few hours to sort myself out, get ready etc. I’m fed up with having kids here constantly & I rarely get a day to myself. Nice kids but not my responsibility. AIBU?

OP posts:
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ImAvingOops · 26/04/2023 11:06

I don't think any person gets married to someone with kids and expects those children to have no impact on their own life. Most decent people want a nice relationship with the children and are happy to muck in and help. I would say it's a problem if a step parent is totally unwilling to do anything for the step children. But there's a massive difference between helping and being made responsible for their care. The step parent shouldn't become the default parent - it isn't fair to either the step parent or the children.

Reugny · 26/04/2023 11:08

It’s funny how DF never really have issues with SF just Mothers with SM.

They do.

The vast majority of the time men are not the main parent to children in the home so the resentment is not clearly obvious.

It can be shown on special occasions e.g. weddings, graduations.

funinthesun19 · 26/04/2023 11:12

When step parents are allowed to develop relationships with the step children on their own terms, everyone's boundaries are respected and no one feels violated.

This explains it better than I did.

People always accuse the stepmum of not liking the child if she says she doesn’t want to look after them or pick them up from school. As though it’s a test to prove how much she’s fond of them. If she doesn’t give up her Friday afternoons oh that’s it she must hate them then. Just because the child might not be right at the top of her priorities in life with a shiny gold star, doesn’t mean she dislikes them. It just means she’s got other things going on.

If the relationship is left to develop naturally without anything forced, then everyone knows where they stand and maybe just maybe the stepmum might say you know what I’m ok with doing this.

funinthesun19 · 26/04/2023 11:20

I do think some mums are over emotional and basically can’t understand why the stepmum wouldn’t want to pick her baby up from school. Completely ignoring the fact that her child’s father isn’t doing it. And she herself isn’t doing it. Soooo.

Bananarama77 · 26/04/2023 11:56

Reugny · 26/04/2023 11:08

It’s funny how DF never really have issues with SF just Mothers with SM.

They do.

The vast majority of the time men are not the main parent to children in the home so the resentment is not clearly obvious.

It can be shown on special occasions e.g. weddings, graduations.

You’re probably right although I’ve not seen that with friends/family but I don’t doubt it. Either way I don’t understand why there should be any resentment anyway. I have no feelings whatsoever towards my DH’s ex, might sound cold but I’m really not interested in her life or how she parents her kids if it doesn’t impact my life, I know very little about her apart from what kids might mention & I’m not interested in finding out but her interest in my life & hostility towards me is in my opinion peculiar, I just feel bad for her that she’s so irritated by my presence except when it comes to looking after her children then presumably I’m ok 🙄

OP posts:
Skybluepinky · 26/04/2023 12:05

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DeeplyMovingExperience · 26/04/2023 12:20

You are right that step-parenting is a thankless task. I was often used by SD's mum as a free creche and she would openly laugh in my face about it, even though I had kids of my own (not with SD's dad) and it would completely throw all my plans into chaos. Screwing up bedtime routines, often forcing me to cancel plans.

Of course SD had no idea what was going on and I always treated her as part of the family.

I wouldn't recommend step-parenting to anyone.

Bananarama77 · 26/04/2023 12:48

No nor would I, I actually told my DD who is grown & flown do not get involved with a man who has kids..thankfully she has taken heed so far

OP posts:
VWHoliday · 26/04/2023 12:56

You are right that step-parenting is a thankless task

For some. I've gained from my experience.

@Bananarama77 If someone had warned you would have said ''No'' to marrying DH?

Bananarama77 · 26/04/2023 13:35

VWHoliday · 26/04/2023 12:56

You are right that step-parenting is a thankless task

For some. I've gained from my experience.

@Bananarama77 If someone had warned you would have said ''No'' to marrying DH?

I honestly can’t answer that question. I fell in love with man not his children although I knew they were part of his life however I didn’t expect to be providing unlimited childcare in DH absence which I am addressing hence the post. It’s not like I didn’t understand as I am a mother & once had young children so I know it’s not all a walk in the park. I suppose I should have set boundaries early & probably not made assumptions. I’m partly to blame I get that but I’m not to blame for his shortcomings as a Father. Kids aren’t excluded by me at home at all, they both have their own room decorated how they want it with all their things inside & recently DSD has moved room do she has her own bathroom. I never objected to them being part of my life just not how it turned out

OP posts:
13Bastards · 26/04/2023 13:46

Assuming your situation here @Bananarama77 but I think the reality of a relationship with a man which kids is harder to understand in the beginning, because you don't meet the kid for months/years so your relationship is just with the man to start with, even though you know there is a child there too they aren't there are your relationship develops.

So you fall in love with someone, you know they have kids that they have x amount of the time and is a huge part of their life of course, the kids still at that stage probably don't know you exist even.

eventually you meet them, little by little and it's all great but life moves on, you start to live together etc and suddenly like in your case OP you're being used a default child care which actually, wasn't what you signed up for at all.

Probably badly explained, but you diddnt need to set boundaries at the start, because yours lives weren't entwined like they are now?

Bananarama77 · 26/04/2023 13:58

13Bastards · 26/04/2023 13:46

Assuming your situation here @Bananarama77 but I think the reality of a relationship with a man which kids is harder to understand in the beginning, because you don't meet the kid for months/years so your relationship is just with the man to start with, even though you know there is a child there too they aren't there are your relationship develops.

So you fall in love with someone, you know they have kids that they have x amount of the time and is a huge part of their life of course, the kids still at that stage probably don't know you exist even.

eventually you meet them, little by little and it's all great but life moves on, you start to live together etc and suddenly like in your case OP you're being used a default child care which actually, wasn't what you signed up for at all.

Probably badly explained, but you diddnt need to set boundaries at the start, because yours lives weren't entwined like they are now?

Not badly but perfectly put, thank you

OP posts:
RedTulipsSpring · 26/04/2023 14:03

Hbh17 · 20/04/2023 17:29

They are your stepchildren - of course they are (jointly) your responsibility!

Nah.

My DSC are absolutely not my responsibility.

I’m with you OP. If it was convenient I would have done it but no way would my DH’s plans trump my own. If ex is always asking stuff of you last minute he should have organised this with her.

Not your kids. Not your issue.

Bananarama77 · 26/04/2023 14:11

RedTulipsSpring · 26/04/2023 14:03

Nah.

My DSC are absolutely not my responsibility.

I’m with you OP. If it was convenient I would have done it but no way would my DH’s plans trump my own. If ex is always asking stuff of you last minute he should have organised this with her.

Not your kids. Not your issue.

This is how I feel now & I’m so glad I’m not alone

OP posts:
RedTulipsSpring · 26/04/2023 14:18

In fact I had a very similar situation early on in my relationship. DC’s Mum wanted to drop off earlier than agreed so asked my DH if she could. He was at work, I was out doing a hobby. DH rang me and said could I get home, so DC’s Mum can drop off.

No. I couldn’t. I was out myself and wasn’t changing my plans at the drop of a hat because someone else has decided they have something better to do than childcare. I made very clear that DC’s Mum’s leisure time isn’t more important than my own. She tried a few more times with “is anyone home so I can drop off” as I was the only other adult that lived there I think it’s safe to say “anyone” meant me.

Again, might have been different if prearranged. But I worked FT with my own commitments and my spare time was precious too.

VWHoliday · 26/04/2023 16:09

Bananarama77 · 26/04/2023 13:35

I honestly can’t answer that question. I fell in love with man not his children although I knew they were part of his life however I didn’t expect to be providing unlimited childcare in DH absence which I am addressing hence the post. It’s not like I didn’t understand as I am a mother & once had young children so I know it’s not all a walk in the park. I suppose I should have set boundaries early & probably not made assumptions. I’m partly to blame I get that but I’m not to blame for his shortcomings as a Father. Kids aren’t excluded by me at home at all, they both have their own room decorated how they want it with all their things inside & recently DSD has moved room do she has her own bathroom. I never objected to them being part of my life just not how it turned out

I hope you taking a step back means your DH can step up. There are still many more years to come & hopefully they will a relationship with him when they are adults too.

billy1966 · 29/04/2023 09:25

RedTulipsSpring · 26/04/2023 14:18

In fact I had a very similar situation early on in my relationship. DC’s Mum wanted to drop off earlier than agreed so asked my DH if she could. He was at work, I was out doing a hobby. DH rang me and said could I get home, so DC’s Mum can drop off.

No. I couldn’t. I was out myself and wasn’t changing my plans at the drop of a hat because someone else has decided they have something better to do than childcare. I made very clear that DC’s Mum’s leisure time isn’t more important than my own. She tried a few more times with “is anyone home so I can drop off” as I was the only other adult that lived there I think it’s safe to say “anyone” meant me.

Again, might have been different if prearranged. But I worked FT with my own commitments and my spare time was precious too.

Excellent boundaries.

OP sounds like a lovely woman who has been used by and made a complete mug of by two people.

How lovely that she houses them all too.

He landed on his feet.

Only women get caught like this.

Can you imagine any man being restricted in their day to drop and collect their partners children?

Not a chance.

Men don't allow themselves to be used for childcare.

He deliberately put your name down as first contact.
Absolutely disgraced and deliberate.

THAT was NOT accidentally done.

Obviously you care about him, but you are being royally used by him.
He knows deep down he is using you.

Not "deep down", he knows well what he is doing.

He and his ex have a fool made out of you.
Not the first time we have read it on here.

Good men that really care about their partner wouldn't use them, the way he has done.

I really hope you do stand up for yourself because allowing yourself to be so used is really sad and utterly thankless.

Have a good look at your boundaries and self respect, because I can't understand how you would facilitate for one minute a woman who speaks about you the way his ex does.

You deserve a lot better than a user and his ex.

Misste · 21/06/2023 13:18

I met my bf in December 2017, I knew he had 3 children to two different women but he only saw the oldest one who was then 8.. great kid and she often stayed with us at my home.. fast forward to march 2019 and social services contact him because the two other children’s mother wasn’t capable of looking after them anymore these are 2 and 4 years old… i said I would stand by him & help him with whatever was needed. We set up home together & the kids came to live with us in august 2019 and have lived with us since.. they were dropped with us on a Saturday and my bf went back to work on the Monday FULL TIME ..leaving the kids with me from then. I had my child in 2020 and we got on with life… the other morning while eating breakfast his oldest daughter who lives with us who’s now 8 said that her grandparents said “she does nothing for those kids”… ok so, for four years I’ve took them to school, picked them up from school, made sure they were clean and tidy, got them dressed, wiped away tears because real mother didn’t care, been abroad, all the “normal things” families do.. my family have welcomed them with open arms, they buy gifts and give cuddles when needed!.. I’ve saw a lot of their “firsts” apparently I’m not “doing enough” for two children who aren’t mine… please don’t reply being mean, I’m already at my lowest point because of all this toxicity and horrible things that have been said about me, but what more can I do 😞 I feel like a huge failure 😨

JenniferBooth · 21/06/2023 14:48

Your bf is using you. So are Social Services.

Misste · 21/06/2023 14:51

@JenniferBooth i definitely agree about social services… scared to admit that you’re probably spot on about my bf too x

JenniferBooth · 21/06/2023 14:52

Well if those grandparents think you are so shit tell them you arent doing it anymore.

JenniferBooth · 21/06/2023 14:53

How old are you and how old are the kids now

billy1966 · 21/06/2023 14:58

@Misste god love you allowing yourself be used like this.

The clue was him going back to work on the monday.

You are obviously a kind woman, but you are also a mug and a door mat.

In your place I would go with your child to family for a holiday and have a think.

You are the skivvy aupair in his family.

I mean this kindly, but women with self worth don't get sucked into this kind of thankless set up.

Guys target the soft touches.

Wishing you well.

Misste · 21/06/2023 15:04

@JenniferBooth they told social services they couldn’t do it because they are “too old” .. I’m coming up 31 now & kids are 6 and 8 now.
@billy1966… yeh I’m a total mug and doormat yet I’m stuck in this.. I love the girls, but I’m starting to resent my bf. I think I would really enjoy time with my own family, I just don’t want anyone to think I’m giving up on those kids who need loving people in their lives.

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