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AJC1996's picture

Hi, I came across this site by honestly just trying to find someone to talk to about being a step mum.  I have only just recently become a full-time step mum to my partner's sons. I am finding it really hard and feel like a monster because of how I am feeling.

I love the kids but it's hard going from seeing them only on school holidays to them living here full-time.  (My partner and myself have just bought our first house in March and our current situation was never considered)  There mum has neglected them and my anger is more towards her than the boys.  They huff and moan when I ask them to wash their face and brush their teeth (basic hygiene) and they need constantly reminded. 

My partner is fully supportive of my views and has never had an issue with me disciplining the boys.  The only reason I do this is because they have been given free roam to stay up as late as they like and have been allowed to stay in the house alone  (both I do not let them do) they are only 11 and 12.  

Recently I have just been feeling like a maid in my own home.  The boys see it as it should be me that does all the dishes and washing.  I make them help around the house because my partner has always given them pocket money when they lived with their mum and it is very obvious they were getting money for nothing.  I have told them they only get their pocket money if they help round the house.  

I must feel like im the monster. Does anyone else know how I am feeling becuase I feel like im just a really bad step mum Sad

Comments

Rumplestiltskin's picture

Yoir feelings are completely normal. If anyone should have to be the maid going behind them and cleaning up it should be their dad. If he has to do it i bet he will up the discipline. Don't enable them. Either they pick up behind themselves and do basic hygiene without being hounded or their dad makes them. 

JRI's picture

You'll hear from MANY people who feel as you do.  It is not easy raising someone else's children, I know, I raised 3 of them.  The good news is your partner sounds supportive.

I'd recommend sitting down (regularly) with your partner to sync up.  For starters, he's the one who should be disciplining the kids, not you.  Ideally, you two would decide on the kids' behavior standards, hygiene and chores and he should be the one enforcing it all.

Know that you are NOT a monster and also know you shouldn't feel like a maid in your home.  Again, your partner should be enforcing respect for you and help with the work caused by 2 extra people in your house.

BM: of course you are angry with her.  You didn't say what led to this custody change, but is she pulling her weight?  Does she see the kids on a regular basis?  Does she pay child support,?  My DH let our BM off the hook in many ways, it was tough.  I was so wound up in my own feelings I did not realize for a long time that the kids felt abandoned.  Your SKs might, too.

Read around on this site and you'll learn much about neglectful bio parents, stressed stepparents, lazy Disney Dads and so much more.  You've come to the right place.  Good luck!

 

grannyd's picture

Yikes, JRI!

I was typing away and, in the meantime, you posted your info which is pretty much the same as what I had to say; two 78-year-old minds with the same thoughts! 

grannyd's picture

Welcome to the site, AJC1996!

 It’s not surprising that you are having difficulty in your new role as stepmother since your husband seems to believe that raising children is a woman’s job. If the responsibility for the boys continues to be handed off to you, a woman who is unrelated to them, you will soon build up a resentment that will kill your marriage.

Hon, the boys are NOT your children! They are your husband’s and the responsibility for disciplining them, picking up after them and ensuring that they observe basic hygiene is HIS! Having suddenly found yourself landed with someone else’s children in your home, you must begin as you aim to continue. If you make the mistake of assuming the grunt work of childcare and letting your husband off the hook for raising his own, biological kids, you will not only build huge resentment but will be stuck with the job ad infinitum.

You have written that you love the boys which is surprising since they are not yours and they sound both uncooperative and disobedient. No sensible woman would be capable of loving such children unless, of course, she had given birth to them. Hon, you are a long way from being ‘a monster’. Any woman would feel the same, under these circumstances.Please stick with the site and do some reading, It's clear that you need us!

 

SteppedOut's picture

OP they are not your kids - your husband needs to step up before you step out! (I did, hence my user name!)

Lillywy00's picture

Welcome to step hell!

Same shit you're dealing with is THE EXACT same stuff I'm dealing with now. 
 

Except this dude thinks because his kids are here every weekend vs every day that they don't have to do any chores, don't have to follow any rules, anc stay up all damn night, can raid the fridge any time time of day or night, can shout and yell all across the house

 

It's so annoying that I'm about to break it off and leave 

If these bio parents understood that if their kids had some home training, followed our reasonable rules, enforced/back us up if we have to enforce, etc we'd be more welcoming of their spawns and more willing to stay with them

JRI's picture

AJC1996, having the kids for weekend visitation and having them living with you full time are two different things.  One is like vacation somewhat, the other is reality.  Your partner might want to make that point to them as he enfirces rules.

Lillywy00's picture

Right! Not trying to invalidate the OP she definitely has more on her plate than I do. 
 

From my situation - I can see how physically having them part time is extra challenging to the point I know under 97% of circumstances I would not be able to raise step kids full time. Because if I'm irritated af by day 2 I know I wouldn't make it to day 7. 
 

I just think it's ironic it's the exact same issues though (kids not taking direction, bioparents refusing to parent/enforce rules, now you gotta expend your energy going in an uphill battle with these stepkids (and their disneyland bio parents) who see you as some random joe blow they want to rebel against, etc)

Plus I personally think anyone who steps foot into the household (regardless if they're there for 2 hours, 2 days, 2 weeks, 2 months, or however long) and they are being provided for/accommodated for then they should be expected to follow rules of the house (as long as those rules are age appropriate and reasonable)

JRI's picture

In our case, full time was, to my shock, easier than weekends cuz everyone was under the same roof all the time without the back-and-forth transition.

But, I was thinking back to my own childhood when I visited beloved gparent's for a few weeks each summer.  I did things I couldn't have done at home: raided the frig for snacks all the time, stayed up til all hours, watched tv endlessly, received plenty of "shopping money" etc.   It seemed natural and it also seemed natural when I went home to a more regulated life.

Perhaps your partner and the kids are still in "weekend" mode and haven't made the switch yet.

floralsm's picture

Welcome! Good news is at the ages they are they are able to understand a conversation your SO can have with them to help the discipline be respected in your home. 
From personal experience my DH sat down both SS and SD and told them Floral does not have to lift a finger for them as they are not my children. I don't have to take them to school, cook or clean for them, I could easily ignore them completely when they are here and leave it on them how to get themselves to school and find clean clothes to wear when DH isn't home. But, because I am a nice, caring, loving person and mother to our DD2 and baby on the way (Thanks DH <3) I help HIM and THEM out by taking them to school, cooking, washing, cleaning ect and ensuring they live in a safe, clean and happy home. All he asks in return from them is to listen and respect me if I ask them to do something as whatever I ask them, is an extension from him. He also explained to them Any rules they have to go by are the rules we set together and he enforces it on them as they are HIS children and I support him as we are a team. 
Ever since that talk they have been loads better in our home with being respectful and keeping up their hygiene and rooms clean. Hopefully your SO can communicate with them on that front. My actions speak louder than their HCBM words, and they know I'm a nice and caring person just how I help them look after their home when they are here, as they help me by respecting me when I tell them to do something now. 
You need your DH support and him to enforce the consequences for this to work though, otherwise if they see their dad doesn't act on it then why do they have to listen to you sort of thing. 

Lillywy00's picture

This is awesome to hear. Wish more husbands with kids from prior relationships/marriages were like this. ..... cooperative, supportive of their new spouse, understand boundaries, and provide structure (even enforcement) for the kids. 
 

 

Rags's picture

Where is your partner? Why isn't he parenting, cleaning, disciplining, and being an adult?

Based on the content of your original post, you have a monster problem for sure. The invisible supposed partner who has sucked you into his failed family nightmare. You... have an Incubus. Taking your life energy for his own benefit.

At least based on the infirmation provided.

ndc's picture

You don't sound like a monster at all, but your partner sounds like a crappy parent.  Why isn't HE disciplining his children, cleaning up their messes and teaching them basic life skills, like hygiene and cleaning up after themselves?  This situation doesn't sound sustainable,  because eventually you will resent him and his children as you do so much of the work (and likely get little appreciation). Push a lot more of the work of parenting HIS children into HIM.

 

Harry's picture

One thing you will see from this site. That a lot of your feelings are normal..That. Society, The movies, Tv. You frees and family all have different ideers on how you should fee ,You had no say in this kids being born.  That your SO is guilty for being divorced and breaking up. "Happy Family". You have no emotions for these kids.  As when kids do well, SO feels like he was responsible for his kids doing well 

So read the blogs,  thy to understand SL.   The kids should have a bed time, so you and DH have Adult time.  It may suck for the kids.  But everyone must give for this relationship to work..  This everyone must give is a big thing..You are giving. Taking of kids that are not yours, kids must give  too. DH must give.