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I don't know what to do!!

next2lil's picture

I've been with my fiance for over 3 years now, we live together  he has 4 girls (13,12,9 and 7) who visit every Tuesday and every other weekend. I have an 11 year old. We are supposed to get married next year but I'm a bit reluctant because of his kids  They are very rude, disrespectful and quite b**chy which affects my daughter and I because we are quite friendly and don't deal well with drama. I believe in having respect in our home but they are disrespectful to me and their dad. Every time his kids come over there are fights and constant moaning. I've tried for so long to get along with them and make them happy but the elder two won't accept me or my daughter in their lives .. Now the younger two are listening to their older sisters and becoming bi**hy too and being rude to me (they were lovely the first year) The eldest two have bullied my daughter a few times and use or break her things on the sly. My daughter keeps begging me to leave my partner because she hates it when the kids come over. I've spoken to my fiance lots of times and since he set down ground rules it has made them worse and the eldest daughter doesn't want to see her dad anymore. Last weekend I walked out with my daughter because I couldn't take the drama and they knew I was cross and started calling me names as I left. After that my fiance decided that its best to see his kids away from home because its making everyone miserable..i suggested to go out with my daughter instead and stay over somewhere else when the kids come over but he said he doesn't want them at home  because of their behaviour. The elder two are now furious and I got nasty messages from one of them insulting me thinking Im saying they aren't welcome at my home  my fiance already told them he decided on that. The elder two are now refusing to see their father, the youngest is sad because she wants to see me and the middle one is in between but becoming more like the older two. My partner is slowly losing his kids, my daughter and I aren't happy .. I don't remember the last time I was happy even when the kids aren't there it's still on my mind  Its affecting my relationship with my partner and our sex life  Is this all worth it?? Can I marry a man who's kids I don't even see?? I don't know what to do

Comments

Monkeysee's picture

Block them all from being able to contact you. I’m glad your FH is putting up boundaries with his kids, they need to be in place. Children should never get to call the shots & they way they’re behaving is repulsive. 

As sad as it is if the kids stop talking to him, that’s their choice. He is absolutely doing the right thing. I also think it’s better that he see his kids outside of the home instead of you & your DD leaving. His kids are creating the issue so it’s his job to deal with the mess. 

If it’s really too much for your daughter though & your FH can’t keep his kids under control, then I’d consider either moving out & dating until the kids have launched, or at minimum waiting to get married. You don’t need to put up with the drama & garbage from his children.

tog redux's picture

As much as I don't think kids should run the show, I also don't think it's OK for any parent to just stop being a parent because it got too hard, and he'd rather hang out with his GF.   I don't know if BM is behind this, or your SO is a lousy parent, or the kids are just really challenging, but I don't think the solution is to say he won't have them at the house anymore.

I personally think the solution is for you and your DD to move out and for him to try to get his situation under control in whatever way needs to happen - therapy, change in parenting, etc.  While I think a spouse has to come first, at this point, I think he has to figure out what is going on with his kids.  It's possible he will lose them anyway, but he needs to try to get this under control before he just gives up on being a parent. 

If BM were to just say, "I'm done with these kids, you take them all the time," would you think that was reasonable?

fakemommy's picture

Move out, and if you're still together when all the kids are 18, get married then. Seeing them outside the house isn't a viable or permanent solution. After you move out, you could consider family counseling to try to repair things.

Harry's picture

 This will happen no matter who he is with.  It’s a power play.  So either he has a life with someone else. Or he has a life with his kids and kids only.  That he will be alone everyday except EOWE and Tuesday 

ndc's picture

Your fiance only decided last weekend that he was going to see his kids outside the house.  This is new, uncharted territory.  Who knows how long it will last?  Who knows whether, as his relationship with his kids deteriorates, he will become resentful of you and blame YOU.  It sounds like this (the horrid behavior) has been going on for some time.  What did your fiance do about it before?  What was different this time?  Was it because you were leaving with your daughter? (There's an opportunity to blame you and resent you).

I just don't see how your fiance seeing his kids outside of the home for any length of time is a viable solution.  And what if, god forbid, something happens to the BM?  My inclination would be to do one of two things.  First, you could walk away.  Remove yourself and your daughter from this shit show and get on with your life.  Second, you could get your own place with your daughter and continue to see your fiance.  Tell him he needs to get his kids under control and parent them so they act like decent human beings.  Then watch for progress.  If there is none, there's still time to walk away.

I just don't see a good outcome if you marry him and he continues to see his kids outside of the home or not see them at all.  What happens on holidays?  For major occasions?  Will you and your daughter be vilified by the in-laws and your fiance's friends?  Will his having "given up his kids" for you come up in every argument you ever have?  Will he resent your daughter for every transgression she might make?  She too will be a teen girl, and none of them seem to get through the teen years without some drama.  It's nice that he's chosen you for now, but how do you really see that playing out?

SteppedOut's picture

I came here to say exactly all of this.

OP, I can tell by your post you have already come to this conclusion. And possibly, you may even already to be falling out of love with him because of all of this - that is completely understandable and ok! 

Sweetpea531's picture

I met my husband when his daughter was 7. She is almost 16 now and it has been hell the past five years. She was great when she was younger but the minute she turned 11 that is when things started to change ana only get worse. She steals from me and is very disrespectful and thinks she is entitled. My husband and I fight constantly about her. I decided to sign ya up for marriage counseling to see if we can be on the same page again. I would suggest couples counseling and individual counseling as well. Trust me it does not get any better when you get married. Good luck. 

CLove's picture

It sounds pretty intense in your area right now. Not having much information (see all above questions), its super difficult to know what kind of advise to give. I can only share my experiences.

I have a high conflict BM, and there are 2 Skids - both girls. The eldest has been a problem the entire time. not rhough anything Ive really done - I have no children of my own and have completely disengaged from the eldest. The youngest is a true joy. We get along really well, up to this point. She is almost a teenager, but I feel prepared.

The problem lies with the oldest. She has rejected her father and myself. She is a serial liar, verbally abusive, narcissistic disordered person that I cannot stand being around. I never could. She was living with us full time after high school graduation, and then just left - no word, no explanation other than she was staying with her "friend', a manager at work. Very few texts to Dh in response to his texts.

We left her room as is for about 6 months. Then, January of the following year, myelf, DH and Munchkin cleaned the heck out of it. Took the door off, took out the bed/bed base, 2 large dressers, a vanity, a chair. Bags and bags of crap. Cleaned and vaccumed. Put in a fish tank filled with koi, plants, a writing desk, and candles, rocks, shells, pottery. A bookcase to display it all. She wanted her room back after all that.

The point is, she will always be his daughter. She will always be disordered. Your fiance's wishes to walk on both sides will cause backlash eventually, no matter if you are married or not. I have been with DH for 5 years this summer, married 1. Toxic Feral will always hate me, simply for existing. Due to her outpouring of hatred for me, her treatment, I have closed the door.

Your Fiances daughters are getting worse not better,as time goes by. They are "feeding off" each other's toxic energy. Typically the eldest becomes the "ringleader", and the others follow along to keep the peace. Its the crowd mentality thing.

Definitely think about this relationship, and wait to get married. Keep reading here - it truly helped me gain perspective.

 

Exjuliemccoy's picture

One bratty daughter can destroy a relationship. This man has four. Four!

No matter how many boundaries this man puts up or how solid a parent his is, I don't think he can herd that many cats effectively. Those young females are Mean Girls, meaning they practice Relational Aggression and triangulation against you and your poor daughter. They'll strengthen their sisterly bonds (and probably their bond with Head Witch BM, too.) over hating you. Should your fiance manage to get one under control, another will act up in an endless game of parental Wack A Mole.

As a parent, you have to prioritize your child and ensure that she lives in a safe, secure environment. Continue to date this man if you want, but please get your child away from that mess.

next2lil's picture

Thank you for all your comments. I do find it unnatural or strange that my partner will be walking on both sides, one life with me and my daughter and another life with his kids, I do not see how that will run smoothly. Also his kids getting rid of me and having their dad to themselves means they are getting what they want which will only make matters worse and will play up more when they want their own way.

His side of the family are his kid's family too so it means they will be cut out from my life too so it almost feels like I have a boyfriend now and not a long life partner. I love him dearly and this is not very nice Sad

I agree that the skids will get worse as it has been getting worse the past year snd I've known them for two years and they see me as someone tearing their family apart. Moving out with my daughter has entered my mind but that's confusing for my daughter and I think that will tear my relationship with my partner apart. He says this is a great idea seeing his kids away from home and staying at his mums on sleepovers with them and that it shouldnt affect our relationship only make it stronger. But I can see his kids resenting him for not including them in his other life with me and my daughter, there will be more jealousy and conflict. Either way, there will be problems and I'm the only one who sees it.

 

It is our house not just mine, responding to one comment, and he hasn't chosen me over his kids, he just wants to walk on both sides. Seems like I have to face a massive desicion and really think about it hard. I just want to be who I was before and for my daughter to be happy and also see me happy, do I let go of my fiance for this? Maybe. 

Indigo's picture

My first thought was "Listen to your daughter." It sounds as if she is in hostile territory.

What life are you creating for her? What are you modeling?  This will be her heritage that she carries forward.

Moving forward you will have four preteen/teen girls and one adjunct girl. Puberty x 5 girls. A made-for-tv nightmare.

My second thought was that BF/DH will have a really sore crotch from straddling the fence.  His choices may make his life temporarily easier but will most likely result in a spectacular flame-out.

Try to protect your daughter & good luck

 

Wilhelm's picture

They were rude to you in your house. I think good on him for telling them they are no longer welcome in the house. He can see them in other places hut I would not be letting girls like this push you out or push their father around.