Help can't take it anymore
I have been in a relationship for just over 10 months now. He moved in with me nearly right away, I've known him 20 years and we had came into contact again online. There is a background story needed in this because of all that has happened over the last year. My 18 year old son was murdered on Sept 8, my bf and I consumated our relationship the night of Sept 7 (we had both been drinking) we had been talking just over 1 month again but there was an instant connection. That night while I was sleeping at his place I received the call about my son telling me to get to the hospital immediately that my son was hurt but stable. I thought he had just gotten in a fight, no idea what i was walking into. My bf offered to come with me, I allowed him to. When getting to hospital we waited 3 hours before i found out anything watching the cops in and out if icu and wondering what the heck happened that i was waiting at the icu. I knew something bad had happened and i was extremely anxious but wouldnt in my worst nightmare have thought it was what the cops and dr were going to tell me. He came in the room with me when they told me my son had been shot and he had brain damage, would not recover and was on life support. I felt like i was outside of myself. The entire time we spent at the hospital he didnt leave mine and my other childrens side, he made us laugh and made us not focus so much on everything we were going through. Coming back home 2 days later after he had been taken off life support and organs donated, planning his funeral etc, he didnt leave our side. I knew that we were moving too fast but i didn't want to be without him, i needed to be strong for my other children and not fall apart. He and my other kids held me together. He is going threw a very messy break up with distribution of property. His ex is bipolar and seems to cry all the time or have freak outs in front of his daughter. In turn his daughter has learned this behaviour from her mother and that it gets her attention. She doesnt get much attention from her own mother. When his daughter comes here she is well behaved for the most part but whines and crys and has yelling fits and blaming fits over the smallest things. One example was she was walking with a bathing suit on carrying a water bottle, it splashed on her a little and she went onto the ground into a crying fit and whining for a solid 5 minutes, when asked why she was crying about getting wet she explained in a loud whiney voice that she doesnt like getting wet unless its in a pool, i reminded her that she was in a sprinkler only a few days prior and she continued to whine and cry saying that she just doesnt like it. My 13 year old daughter and her friend then started splashing eachother with the water bottle which finally got her laughing and snapped her out of it. That is just one example of many. We just picked her up from her grammas and within 15 minutes she had found 2 things to whine and pout about that were rediculous. I have suggested to my bf when she gets like that, rather then playing the poor girl suck up dad to her to put her in the bedroom to collect herself and give her a book to read or paper and crayons to draw how she is feeling out to calm her down. He has tried implementing these things but has also explained that he feels guilty because he knows she doesnt get the attention she needs at her mother's. I explained that the behaviour will continue and get worse if he continues to allow it and he understands but often apologizes to her for disciplining her when she gives him the silent treatment after and pouts. It has gotten to a point that my 15 year old son doesnt want to come here when she is here and wants to stay at his dads because he can't stand her whining. I can't stand it either and it is effecting my relationship with my bf. Im really starting to resent him for his cater to the baby whine parenting style and it is now coming to a head as it is effecting my relationship with seeing my son. My daughter cant stand the whining either. Help what to do!
Tell him
Tell him that you are more grateful than you can say for what he did when you lost your son. But what is happening with his daughter is causing you to lose touch with your remaining children because they do not want to deal with the stress. And that you realize that he can not do it overnight but he is going to have to find a way to stop the meltdowns for everyone's sake. He hopefully will figure out a way to do it and make everyone, including his own daughter, happier. If not then you are going to have to tell him to see her somewhere else. Bottom line is that you have 2 children left and they are your priority. I am so very sorry for your loss. I can't imagine how horrible that must have been. You deserve peace in your home.
Thank you
Thank you! I will try this. He stuck me as a go between between him and his ex 6 weeks after my son died and I was the dumb one gor agreeing to do it its caused me much stress. Im finding myself irritable lately and have confronted him about his parenting, he seems to get upset with me sometimes but it is really effecting our relationship. Appreciate your feedback thanks so much!
I'm sorry about your son,
I'm sorry about your son, what a terrible loss.
It seems as if, in grief, you moved way too fast with your BF, and it's been a hard adjustment for everyone, including his daughter, who had to adjust to her parents' separation and a new stepmother figure all at once.
You guys might want to slow down and live separately for a while until he gets this straightened out with her.
Thank you
Yes i agree, this would be a good solution to our issues, she definately didnt have time to adjust, nor did my own children. I definately feel at this point that him moving out would be a good idea. I do feel bad but my own children shouldn't have to suffer further then they already are. Ty so much for your input!
Yes i definately agree! Thos
Yes i definately agree! Thos did move way too fast and it was a very hard adjustment for his daughter. She has a deep connection with my 13 year old daughter already which is great but I know that she is going through a lot. Her mother has dated 5 different men in the last 6 months and has introduced them all to her as her boyfriend, we have talked to her about how unstable of an environment she is giving her. I have much sympathy for all his daughter is goung through but at the same time myself and my own children are going through a lot as well. Thank you so nuch for your feedback. Truly appreciated.
It’s your house hOuse
If you want him gone the you have to tell him that.
His DD will not change with out professional help. His DD most likely bipolar and should be on meds. Unlikely because BM is not on meds. Have him move out and you can see him with out his DD
Very true
Yes I beleive she should be in meds it woild definately stabilize the environment for his D at his moms . I am giving a probationary period to see what happens within that time line, if I dont see some positive progress i will have to have him move out for the goodness of our relationship and my own family and children's happiness. Ty so mich for your feedback
I’m very sorry for your loss. I would talk to a therapist on whether the relationship with your boyfriend is beneficial for you right now due to his child’s behavior issues. You’re dealing with a relatively fresh trauma and need a healthy space to heal in. Please put yourself first. If you’re not okay, you can’t be okay for anybody else. Prayers for you.
I'm so sorry for your loss, I
I'm so sorry for your loss, I just can't even begin to imagine what you've been through, and are still going through I'm sure.
By the sounds of it there's quite an age gap between the children and I can imagine your children would find sd annoying and probably don't look forward to her visits. It's a shame your son doesn't even want to be there when she is there but totally understandable.
I don't really have any answers but I do think that it would be tough for anybody to blend a family with the age gap the kids have. I can totally understand how much of a support your oh must have been and still continues to be to you. I definitely think the advice given about him taking sd somewhere else to spend time with her is good, it would be a shame for you two to break up over something that could, with a little effort, be sorted.
He is a BF and not a DH.
He is a BF and not a DH. Focus on yourself and your kids. Move on.