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Weekends with step kids are boring

135 replies

Navigatingstepparenting · 17/05/2026 10:39

Aibu?

Been together 6 years, live in seperate houses mainly because he has a 4 bed house but won’t have his children share who visit maybe every other weekend these days. My two children can’t share due to my youngest a disability. His mother owes them house and she is apparently told old to sell this house and get a bigger one, told us when she’s dead then we can do what we want but she doesn’t want to. Also financially I would actually be skint living with him.
Anyways his kids are now 12 and 14. They come roughly every other weekend now when I have my kids rather than every weekend. Which I am happier about as means that we get the every other weekend without my children and his and can just relax and chill like we use to when we first got together as he use to have his kids Sundays and Mondays every week but that changed to every Friday and saturday. Unfortunately I will still book my weekends away on my child free weekends and it’s upto him whether he stays at home with his kids or comes with me and he choose to come with me. So I think naturally they now come every other week. But this is now my dilemma. His kids will stay awake a lot durn the night (says he can’t control this because their mother allows it.) and then they sleep u til like 1-2pm. My every other weekend with my children we have to to be quiet until 1-2. Usually I have a lie in Saturdays so they are happy in the room they have to share the 2 nights we are here but then I get up and we don’t do breakfast or lunch until they are up, we just sit and watch tv, play iPads and do nothing with our day or go out and do nothing fun because we wait for them to get up and then they don’t even want to go out. I then get grumpy and in a mood because I’m like this is just boring, he believes it’s doing my kids good as believes over the years they have been too spoilt with weekend to zoos and theme parks etc as his kids didn’t and holidays abroad etc. but I’m bored at home, I also don’t want my eldest wanting to live with his dad because we do nothing. Today I have made plans as he went to work at 7am and his kids let themselves out when they wake up and that’s wrong because I am treating my kids to a day out, well yes unfortunately I am because I have to do something with them! But we can’t make any noise and wake his precious children. I’d i stay at home the weekend we get moaned at that we aren’t spending time together as a family.

I take my kids abroad most years, his kids don’t have passports and that’s a him problem I can’t be expected to pay for them aswell as me and my kids. But I am putting £30 a week into an account same as him to do weekends away in this country with all our children! That’s great but we have done one and have another booked and one of his kids is saying she may not come as it’s too childish. We go to like park deans. But she had a blast last time, and we’ve said we are open to ideas to suit everyone. Anyways he doesn’t really like to go spending on them park days etc but has said this time we can take food to cook and use the money to d a theme park or something to make her want to keep coming. Sorry but she’s just being ungrateful on my eyes. Her mother doesn’t take her away we are trying to do something every other month and it’s not good enough. But he just tells me I am making them the enemy and I’m being harsh. Like err no. She’s being ungrateful.
Now refusing to eat dinner if I cook it, although it’s cooked the exact way he does it.

All his kids did was spend all weekend upstairs anyways! Like what’s the point in coming over? The youngest was because she wanted her friend over Friday night which disturbs everyone as they can’t be quiet. But he thinks it’s great because the friend is allowed to stay here and not the mothers and that he could win the battle with her wanting to move on here.

I get staying home is great we save money but I’m bored of it. Step

OP posts:
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Pinkissmart · 17/05/2026 10:53

Just go out with your kids. If his sleep too late, then the natural consequence is that they miss out.
Not sure why you all have to be together on those weekends- just do your own thing .

Navigatingstepparenting · 17/05/2026 11:05

Because otherwise he doesn’t get to see my children for one apparently or me because of work duen the week. And I think it’s because his kids don’t bother at least mine will be downstairs wanting to talk to him etc. Friday night for example he took my kid to football, we did manage to drag the girls along but they moaned. I mean he does then say to me I need to change my attitude when they are here as he doesn’t like me being grumpy so I said let me stay home then. Like I’ve told him today I’m going to my friends to see her kids and he’s shitty about it. It’s like I can’t have fun without him.

he won’t go out without them is the issue. Next weekend there is a big show thing he wants to go to, his kids won’t tell us until Friday if they are coming. So we can’t buy the tickets cheaper in advance. And he was like because if they come and don’t want to go then we can’t go I won’t leave them home alone. Well tell them to make a decision before the weekend

OP posts:
notatinydancer · 17/05/2026 11:09

Why don’t you just stay at your house when his kids are there? Great he’s going to work at 7am , when will he see his kids ?

inmyhair · 17/05/2026 11:10

Just see him on the days he hasn't got his kids. No need for all that drama.

Navigatingstepparenting · 17/05/2026 11:13

@notatinydancerdoesnt like us staying home, he wants us to all be together as a family.
well he saw the kids from 4pm Friday up until bed last night.

OP posts:
Sometimesitsmyownfault · 17/05/2026 11:51

Life is too short for all this nonsense. Wouldn’t you be happier without him/them? Weekends on your own terms? Not tiptoeing around so you don’t disturb his kids WTF? Meals appreciated and not whinged at? Honestly, what is the point of a relationship like this?

DalmationalAnthem · 17/05/2026 11:57

Because otherwise he doesn’t get to see my children
I'm sure your kids won't care at all. I had my mother's boyfriends in my house as a child and it was 0% enjoyable.

Just date him, no need for any house drudgery or making kids be involved. A relationship is meant to be fun.

Namechangenewyear · 17/05/2026 11:58

You’re really overcomplicating this OP. It doesn’t matter if he doesn’t want you to stay at home, you have a discussion about how things are and if it doesn’t change then you do your own thing at weekends when his kids are there.
You’re not currently spending time as a family because his kids are in bed all day and yours are sat bored. You are also being a bit of a mug staying over while he’s working, you’re basically staying to look after his kids despite it not being good for you or your own kids - why? Just tell him you’ll come over when he’s not working, and if that means his kids can’t stay overnight then so be it. You don’t live together so it’s not your responsibility.
Either you find something that works for everyone or you don’t spend time together as a family.

Incidentally, his DD is allowed friends staying over, being noisy and keeping everyone awake at night, but your children have to remain silent in the mornings to not disturb her or his other child? He’s absolutely taking the piss.

Regarding the show he wants to go to, if he’s going to allow his kids to mess him around and dictate what happens, then it’s his luck out if he misses doing things that he wants to. It’s not your problem.

The point in which I do think you are being unreasonable is that you’re complaining you can’t live together because his kids have separate rooms. Unless both his kids and both your kids have to share, it is unreasonable to expect them to give up their room that they have always had to accommodate your children having a room each.
The point about his mother not selling the house to buy something bigger makes you both sound terrible; why should an elderly person have to do that when there are two adults who should be doing it themselves? You and he are responsible for providing for your children, not his mother.

TheCurious0range · 17/05/2026 12:02

You don't live there why does it matter? When you have your children at the weekend get up with them at your home and do something with them let the others know the day before we're going to X at 10 tomorrow do you want to come, if they say no that's fine

Navigatingstepparenting · 17/05/2026 12:04

@Namechangenewyearhe pays the mortgage( it’s only in her name because he still ain’t divorced after 8 years and they don’t want his ex to come for the house in the divorce.

its just frustrating as my kids are expected to do all the give and take his aren’t but yet I’ll be paying half to live there xx

OP posts:
letmebetheone · 17/05/2026 12:08

Just do your own thing with your children and leave the rest to him.

It doesnt sound as if you actually like his children.

I would be more concerned about the fact that he is still not divorced after 8 years when you have been a couple for 6 years.

Namechangenewyear · 17/05/2026 12:11

Navigatingstepparenting · 17/05/2026 12:04

@Namechangenewyearhe pays the mortgage( it’s only in her name because he still ain’t divorced after 8 years and they don’t want his ex to come for the house in the divorce.

its just frustrating as my kids are expected to do all the give and take his aren’t but yet I’ll be paying half to live there xx

That makes more sense.

My other points stand, you and your kids don’t have to live like this. Have a discussion about how you’d like weekends to look, if nothing changes then stop staying over when his kids are there, and certainly don’t be staying there to look after his kids.
He may moan and sulk, but better that than your children missing out. I’m speaking from experience, I went through something similar but eventually put my foot down and carried on with the things I wanted to do, and if it meant my partner or his DC missed out then that was on him.
You won’t get these years with your DC back, and they soon grow up and start living their own lives and you’ll be sad at how much you missed out on with them

luckylavender · 17/05/2026 12:21

Took much drama. I can’t see the future here.

Clogblog · 17/05/2026 12:25

DalmationalAnthem · 17/05/2026 11:57

Because otherwise he doesn’t get to see my children
I'm sure your kids won't care at all. I had my mother's boyfriends in my house as a child and it was 0% enjoyable.

Just date him, no need for any house drudgery or making kids be involved. A relationship is meant to be fun.

Quite!

Enjoy two weekends a month with him child free. Do an occasional weekend or holiday with all the kids. No need to emesh yourselves!

Ohfudgeoff · 17/05/2026 12:45

You sound unhappy with your life with him. I say "with him" because you chose him, but he comes with kids.

Do you see yourself together long term?

Loadsapandas · 17/05/2026 13:42

its just frustrating as my kids are expected to do all the give and take his aren’t but yet I’ll be paying half to live there xx

He’s acting on behalf of his DC best interest, or what he thinks they are.

Why are you choosing to put your kids through this?
You need to put your DC first and stop merging the children.

Loadsapandas · 17/05/2026 13:45

Unfortunately I will still book my weekends away on my child free weekends and it’s upto him whether he stays at home with his kids or comes with me and he choose to come with me. So I think naturally they now come every other week.

Also, what does this mean?

they used to come EW, but he chooses to go away with you on your free weekend so now they are EOW?

Another father of the year award 🙄

MiaKulper · 17/05/2026 13:53

Navigatingstepparenting · 17/05/2026 11:13

@notatinydancerdoesnt like us staying home, he wants us to all be together as a family.
well he saw the kids from 4pm Friday up until bed last night.

Your OP isn't very clear but why don't you live in your house with your DC and he live in his house with his DC.

See him when his DC aren't there and yours are at their DF's.

arethereanyleftatall · 17/05/2026 13:53

This isn’t difficult whatsoever.

don’t go over there on the weekends his children are there.

or carry on making yourself and your kids thoroughly miserable I guess.

utterly baffling.

Stoicandhappy · 17/05/2026 14:18

Why are you putting your DC through this shit? I feel really sorry for them.

Converse4Ever · 17/05/2026 14:26

Why don’t you prioritise your children for once? Who cares if he prefers it if they come over, doesn’t he want to be alone with his own children.
Your children are not his children, why can’t he see them another time or at an activity/day out. They don’t have to sit in his house being quiet, what a shit time for them.

Also you aren’t a family, you’re not. You and your BF are in a relationship, that’s it.

FlapperFlamingo · 17/05/2026 14:56

What a lot of hassle he gives you, clearly it’s a well worn topic between you. I would be considering if I had a future with him if he is that difficult. Why not stay in your own house when you have your children. And do what you like? His ways seem totally unreasonable and don’t seem fair on your children. I would put my kids first.

arethereanyleftatall · 17/05/2026 15:10

I just cannot ever imagine a situation where I would prioritise an unrelated man’s wants/needs over my own children’s happiness. I don’t think I’d do it for five minutes, let alone weekend after weekend.

OriginalUsername2 · 17/05/2026 15:25

arethereanyleftatall · 17/05/2026 13:53

This isn’t difficult whatsoever.

don’t go over there on the weekends his children are there.

or carry on making yourself and your kids thoroughly miserable I guess.

utterly baffling.

This.

It’s you and your children that are suffering here. Tough shit if DP wants this or that, you need to prioritise your side.

Navigatingstepparenting · 17/05/2026 15:27

@letmebetheonehe basically won’t divorce her (she was a midlife crisis wife between the girls mum and then me.) she’s younger than both me and his first wife. She had a few affairs and left him with £15000 worth of debt so he wants her to be the one to file so he can prove to everyone she left him and that hw can try and reclaim his money that he won’t get.

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