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An ours baby, hormones and intrusive thoughts

MamaB0210's picture

Today has been a rough day to say the least. My SS,7, is at that age where he tries to be cool like a big kid, but is still throwing tantrums like a toddler. I am 6 months pregnant and really struggling being around him. I feel like a horrible person for feeling the way I do about him, but I can't help it. On days we have him I end up spending most of my time in my bedroom alone. There are times when he talks that I just cringe and my whole body physically hurts. I feel like there is something wrong with me, this feeling has only gotten worse since I have been pregnant. Does anyone have any advice on coping mechanisms or has anyone else been in the same position? 

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Rumplestiltskin's picture

These feelings you describe are common during pregnancy. I can't type much now but know that you aren't bad and aren't alone. 

strugglingSM's picture

I've been in the same position. I would retreat into my room when SSs were around because I couldn't stand the tantrums and the drama. This was before I was pregnant, so I can't blame hormones. Now that I have two little ones, I'm even less interested in the tantrums and the drama (that are still happening with two 17 year old stepsons). 

I also feel even more resentment towards them, because my children are constantly being pushed aside or expected to accommodate their teen brothers even though they are a toddler and an infant. Not to mention the fact that we found out this weekend that BM is actually making more than both DH and I combined, but DH is still paying 1/4 of his income to her each month in CS. We found this out because one SS decided that DH should start paying the CS directly to him each month because his mom doesn't need it, but doesn't "give him" any of the money. His mom gives him plenty of money, so I'm not sure why he's complaining. Paying CS is currently a financial hardship for us and DH is paying that amount because BM lied about her income at the last mediation and DH's lawyer was too crappy to pursue it further (she told DH he could always file for an adjustment in two years). It's hard not to feel resentment towards all this. It's not totally SSs' fault in my case, but they are now old enough to see BM for who she is (and at least one of the does), but they still serve as her spies in our house and still let her use them as tools to get to DH. 

Lifer33's picture

I totally understand the way you feel. Our kids age gap was the same and I found ss to be the most annoying brat ever. I could barely look or speak to him during pregnancy. Sadly it got worse after as he would try and goad baby into dangerous situations and I would loose my cool.

Honestly though, in hindsight I think he was looking for attention and I was doing the exact opposite trying to escape him. I wish I'd have been a bit kinder and more understanding at that time. And just in my case the kids love each other to bits now and are so alike in many ways. So after all the years of grief it's now a joy to watch them together... sometimes ! Lol

MamaB0210's picture

I'm glad I'm not alone I'm feeling the way I do. I am so worried about what is going to happen after the baby is born DH doesn't think it will be a big issue, but when SS is around his baby cousin he gets unreasonably jealous and says/does ridiculous things. I keep thinking I'm going to be patient and kind, but who knows how mama bear I will become over my baby. When he hurts my dog I totally lose it on him, when I am angry I can be very scary and I try not to be but that's just how I react. He has also said he is excited to have a little brother so they can be violent together... I am so worried. 

Rumplestiltskin's picture

As i wrote in reply to another poster recently who was having feelings similar to yours, i think there may be some kind of hormonal aversion to unrelated young kids that happens during pregnancy. When i was pregnant with my first, i was young, had no stepkids, and really no emotional baggage related to children at all. Even with that, i found myself trying to stay away from other little kids. Not teens, but young kids. I had this feeling that they were germy and a threat to my unborn child. Upon learning more, there are certain childhood illnesses that, if caught for the first time while pregnant, that can harm a developing fetus. Perhaps this is some evolutionary process that helps protect pregnant women, as unrelated kids would be more likely to carry diseases that a woman hasn't been exposed to before, as opposed to kids she is related to and has been around quite a bit.

Now, your stepchild has likely been around you a lot, so i don't think they are an actual threat to you. I think it is probably hormone-related. I would recommend talking to your doctor about it, and maybe together you can speak to your husband about giving you a break while you are pregnant and for a while after the birth. I don't know how much childcare you do when your SS is present. "Dear" husbands have a tendency to think that women just love taking care of kids so they may put a lot of childcare on their wives. If this is happening, it needs to stop. If your DH does all the childcare, is it that you don't have boundaries in your home? When i first started dating my SO, there were no boundaries. Skids were allowed into his bedroom and bathroom whenever they wanted to be. I had to set the boundary because SS saw me naked several times. Also, you have to have a place in your home where there is peace and quiet. Blame your pregnancy. Tell your DH that you can't handle any extra "stress" right now. After all, it's the truth. 

MamaB0210's picture

That honestly makes sense, we have instincts that still kick in that we don't necessarily need, like heightened sense of smell. I don't think that's what it is for me because when my niece and nephews are around I want to spend all the time with them, maybe it's because I don't get to see them that often. 
 

I have been lucky that my DH has been running his own business and has been doing the majority of the child care, but he starts working for another company next week and so more of the child care will be falling on me. When it's just SS and I he is a totally different kid, well behaved and no attitude, when his dad comes home that's when the attitude and tantrums start. And it gets even worse if his BM is around. I have set boundaries, knocking before entering the bedroom and only having calm behavior when he is in our bedroom because this is our sanctuary. DH tends to forget that sometimes and will start rough housing in the bedroom and I have to reinforce that boundary again, it is not something I am giving up. He is allowed to use our bathroom if his is in use and doesn't need to ask permission, which almost all of the time is when I am sleeping or working so there isn't a privacy issue there.
 

I will definitely be asking my doctor for advice or to initiate that conversation, DH doesn't think BM will need to take SS more after I give birth. He thinks everything is going to just be fine and work out. I agreed with him because I didn't want to start a fight, but I'm sure having a new baby is stressful enough that I don't need a whiny 7 year old throwing tantrums because he isn't getting all the attention he wants. The good thing is that my family will be around to take SS if I need a break since BM isn't the most reliable. 

Winterglow's picture

What does visitation look like? Is it 50-50? Who is the custodial parent, your husband or bm?

When you say "when BM is around", what do you mean? Does she come to your home? And if she does, why?

Get your DH to go with you to a doctor's visit - he clearly didn't have much to do with babycare when his son was an infant or he would remember the sleepless nights, the sheer exhaustion, etc. If he imagines that taking care of an infant AND a whiny 7yo will be a breeze for you, you need your doctor to let him know just how out of line his thinking really is.He's totally delusional. Confiscate his rose-coloured glasses today. How are you supposed to bond with your baby if you have a kid around that wants your attention all of the time. And how TF does he think you'll manage if you have a C-section?! He is truly underestimating the work that a newborn is.

Your family shouldn't have to take your SS so you can get a break - your DH's family should be doing that!