You are here

Am I being selfish

Lifer33's picture

Probably (eye roll)

Its my 41st in December, didn't do anything for my 40th due to covid, and still can't do a lot now. But even if you do something like a chalet with a hot tub the prices have rocketed...dh announces that he would like to do so for me. Woohoo, wonderful lovely!

First he said shall we take dd6. Well yes, firstly as I'd like to take her, secondly there is only his parents to ask to have her. And, I've already booked a surprise kid free spa for his birthday in the next fortnight! So I don't want them asked again.

Then he says if we take dd we should take ss. Not going to lie my heart just sank. All the two kids do is argue and bicker, nor sure who comes to who's level. Then all I'll hear is 'my mum and stepdad went to a place like this, it was better' or to that effect. And that's not if he's not sneaking off to ring them or sending them texts and photos in front of us.

It probably is mean but since the December mediation and disengagement I've had to see him as a visitor not a part of my family and I've coped far better. I don't really want to hear all about him and his family on my birthday.

Its hanging over my head now as dh got a 'hmmm' out of me and wants to look for the accommodation together this evening 

Comments

ESMOD's picture

Does the trip happen on a SS weekend?  If so, he should probably go if you are bringing the other child in the family. He is part of the family unit.. at the very least on the custody time with his dad.

If it's not his weekend.. then I think you are fine to take a trip and bring your DD.

If it is though  I think I would explore having DD stay with the grandparents again.. they likely will be happy to do it both times.. and just make a point of not asking again for a while after.

Lifer33's picture

Alternating weekend days   so far example the surprise stay ive booked for dh is on the Fri sat not affecting ss coming on Sunday. I thought maybe dh would and could do something like that which won't affect ss visitation, he wouldn't even need to know 

justmakingthebest's picture

I would book it like that. Just don't even tell him and if DD says something remind him that he gets to do things with his mom too. 

ESMOD's picture

If you can plan the trip on a weekend that works best without custody.. then I think that should work well.  Unless your DH has a habit of switching off weekends so his son can attend everything.

If he does.. you may want to try to do a work around with your DD too.. so it is an adult only weekend. 

Winterglow's picture

Tell him that it's your birthday weekend and that you want to take your daughter. Taking SS too makes it into a kiddie's weekend. He can take his son when it's his turn (you don't have to tell him it's going to be kiddie free - save that nugget for later). And when the time comes,  make it so he doesn't want his son there (by letting him know you're buying lingerie, toys, etc. ). The kid will have lots of other trips with his dad and doesn't have to be on every one of them.

Rumplestiltskin's picture

It's certainly understandable that you would find a vacation with your DD much less stressful than a vacation with SS who has behavior problems and a BM that you have had issues with. I don't think the feelings are "selfish" at all.

I feel the same way about kids in the bedroom. I don't mind my daughter in my room nearly as much as i mind my SO's sons. However, if we move in together, i'll insist that there be no kids in the bedroom. I see that as a compromise.

Vacations....that's a sort of similar issue. I have so many fond memories of vacations with my kids. Vacations with some of SO's kids are a form of torture, though. I kind of hate the thought that there can be no vacations with my kids without them (well, some of them anyway) too. That's a tough one. My kids are much older than yours so i wouldn't be giving up near as much. Just offering sympathy amd understanding. 

lieutenant_dad's picture

Be honest with your DH:

"DH, I'm hesitant about SS going. When we take him places like this, he <insert behavior you described above>. That is stressful, and I'd rather not have that for my birthday. If you're not comfortable with leaving him behind, or going on a weekend that he isn't here, then I recommend asking your parents to keep DD. If that can't be arranged, I'd rather not go."

If DH protests, tell him that you'll only consider going with SS if DH can teach SS to behave appropriately over the next few months AND starts taking his phone when SS visits. If he can't do that (which should be a pretty easy parenting flex), then he doesn't go.

I understand you don't want to ask the in-laws a second time, but if your DH really wants to plan a trip FOR YOU, then he needs to think it through all the way and make it FOR YOU. He shouldn't have promised a chalet without having considered childcare. He shouldn't have looked into a birthday present that left you still having to be "on" as Mom (because a birthday weekend with a hot tub at a chalet with a 6 year old doesn't sound relaxing). He should have read the situation and seen that you have stepped back from SS and calculated that into his math.

He didn't, so put it back on him to either fix or scrap this gift. I understand that "it's the thought that counts" but this sounds more like someone who gives their friend a wool sweater for Christmas when they know their friend is allergic to wool. It's not thoughtful to give someone something they can't reasonably like or use. Then you're just giving a gift to make yourself feel better (or to give yourself a gift disguised as a gift for someone else).

Jade123's picture

If it is not a skid weekend with you, then no need to bring skid, he is with his mother and you are not going to change weekends.

Hence book the weekend when he is suppose to be with BM.

If your husband books a weekend he is with you, simply ask the grand parents to babysit both kids, both kids are their grandkids, and then no kid taggs along.

You have to decide, if this is a naughty break away, meaning adults weekend or simply a celebation of your birthday.

From experience I can say, both kids are minors, very young, either they both go or they both stay... it is the sad sad life of blended families,

shellpell's picture

Looks like there's a big age difference between her DD6 and SS who it looks like just started high school? Yes, they are both minors, but one's a teen. And there's a difference if DD is her DH's also.

ESMOD's picture

I thought SS was in the neighborhood of 11/12 years old.  Still pretty young and a pre-teen at best.  The past couple of posts did say SS was maturing a bit too.  Honestly, the best solution is for them to just go as adult couple and let the kids be with grandma.. or SS with his mom if it's not her DH's weekend.

I would be incredibly hurt as a child if my dad said he wasn't taking me on a vacation that my sister got to go on.. because that is literally what it would be if it's dad's custody time.  There is more room to take just DD if it isn't his custody weekend.. because things like that will happen due to custody schedules.  And SS isn't going to make some grand mental link between behaviors over the years and missing out on this trip.. by accounts he has made some improvements in fact.  

I don't think it's selfish to want to have a vacation without kid stress.. but then I would say no kids or all for the most part.

Lifer33's picture

Whatever we plan, be it a Christmas Market etc he will be bored as ever. Last year dh tried to do a celebration in our annexe for a change of scene. Ss not only didn't even say happy birthday, he had to be forced to sit through awaiting my twin brothers visit when all he wanted to do was get in his bedroom and play his friends virtually on the PlayStation 

tog redux's picture

Wait, it's your birthday trip, right? Then you decide who goes. SS is not your child. Why do we need to give  long winded expanations to SS about why he doesn't go on a trip for your birthday and DD does?  That's part of blended families.  You are DD's mom, so she gets to go. Simple.  

shellpell's picture

Exactly this! Op doesn't need to explain why she's taking her dd on her birthday trip. Dad can take skid on HIS birthday trip.

tog redux's picture

Right? I don't get it. SS can go with his mom on her birthday trip. Why people try to make things "equal" that aren't equal at all baffles me. 

DPW's picture

I ditto the two above - first, why not get a sitter? I'd much rather go alone with DH than with a 6 year old. Second, it's your birthday, your choice. DH can plan his own birthday trip if he wants SS to go somewhere. 

shellpell's picture

I would be really annoyed if my DH wanted to bring skid on MY birthday trip. If I want to bring my kid I should be able to do that without having to bring skid too.  Skid has his mom to take him on trips too. I never make my kids miss out on anything just because of skid. It's not my responsibility to make sure skid has double vacations. Ops dh should try to arrange it when skid isn't there. Another way SMS get screwed in what should be a fun, anticipatory time. 

Lifer33's picture

I wouldnt mind, we involve our kids in everything and have pretty much zero childcare unless we ask then its awkward. However ss emeshment with his mother when we go pay to take him somewhere and his rudeness to myself and my brother on my 40th... I just don't fancy it this year. Surely I'm allowed one occasion off 

Lifer33's picture

We didn't get chance to discuss it last night but tonight I will work up the guts to tell him thanks for the thought but its not what I want to do.

I didn't want him asking his parents again as when I just arranged his it transpires his dad is still not well, and I felt awful as it was a reluctant yes.

I always think we have zero childcare, only acceptable to ask his parents twice a year Yadda. But in actual fact my trusted friend has offered to have dd numerous times. So I will throw that one in there and put it out I'd like to go child free 

That solves his guilt and mine hey 

Winterglow's picture

"First he said shall we take dd6."

You know, as a lead-in, that phrase was obviously designed to manipulate. It opened the door to him bringing his kid too. I would tell him that you had thought it over and decided that you'd rather have a couple's weekend than a kiddies one. Does your DD ever do sleepovers? Are there any parents who might take her for the weekend with the understanding that you'd owe them one?

Lifer33's picture

My friend has a boy the same age and she has always offered but I've never taken her up on it.

I think it's time dh went with that avenue