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Rambling rant from the weekend

MSloan86's picture

So I am trying to figure if my wife is trying to make me insane. It seems all the emotions between us tend to be negative due to arguments over SD or other issues. I tired to really be a positive person and good dad & husband this weekend.

Saturday DW and BD2 did some holiday related activities sponsored by the town. BD saw Santa, trolley rides, etc. SD13 slept til noon so she wasnt along for the ride. I spent the late afternoon and evening working in the garage doing winter prep. Hours of hard work freezing in the garage. I was wiped out and headed to bed early after a shower. DW came to bed sometime after I slipped into a coma. Sunday started early as always with a 2 year old. DW was having friends and some family over late am for a Pampered Chef Party.
I had given it the OK when asked but I also took care of BD and another guests kid for a short time before BD and I headed out for a family function and gave DW the day off.
Came home at 6 and we got BD ready for bed. I was hoping DW would come to bed early and we could watch tv or something together. She did eventually come to bed, but I was disappointed at the time… after 10. She said she wanted to go over a few things, basic housekeeping items I assumed.

She told me she could recall if we had made a decision or not but blah blah blah… she was beating around the bush so I know its about SD and figure its about her Xmas party she wanted to have. No, SD wants to use upstairs as her bedroom. We have a (too) large home. It’s a modern colonial with an attached family room above the garage, and there is a finished attic that is setup as a guestroom, exercise area, play area etc… The room is huge, the length of the house and ½ as wide. SD wants this as her bedroom.
This come up before with my wife and it was discussed and clearly decided. I am not heating and cooling the 3rd floor full time. That would be a huge hit to utility costs. Her bedroom is perfectly fine as it is, I understand she would WANT it, but sorry, not happening. Plus she has already ruined the carpet in her room, which is a pit. Im not giving up an area that is available for the family and guests so she can have the biggest bedroom ever. DW is like, O, I forgot about the added heating costs etc… but she thought it would be better for guests to have SDs room because its closer to the bathroom! She had other reasons that were all very weak and made no sense. Its like I was handling the rationalizations of a 13 year old. There are no real benefits to giving SD this room, none, but here is DW lobbying.
She denies she is trying to do SD’s bidding but she is. Of course what was made completely clear, was that SD cant have the room because I said no, not DW. DW denied that too. She wasn’t blaming me. Maybe not but SD clearly sees it that way because DW set it up that way.
SO I spent the weekend trying to be a good husband and father hoping to foster some good feelings with DW and I and instead we argue (again) about SD and I feel crapped on. (again)

Comments

Sia's picture

obviously has nothing to do with the bedroom issue. You guys have deeper issues and this is one that is festering at the moment. I really have no good advice except that i think you really should consider telling your wife how you feel. I know you have reservations about it, but I think that she really should now....you never know, she could surprise you with her response? Smile

MSloan86's picture

I know this isnt part of the bedroom issues, but while I was hoping to make progress in one place I just got sent backwards in another.

We have counseling tomorrow, and another next week. Im wondering if I nuke the holidays or wait for Jan, when we have 3 sessions the 1st 3 weeks..

Sia's picture

as she might see it as you trying to ruin the holidays? I probably would see it that way...honestly. You know her, so I would say do whatever you feel comfortable with.

bellacita's picture

this is a power struggle, plain and simple and an over indlugent mom giving into to her kid no matter if it makes sense or not and what it does to ur marriage in the meantime.

"Given the right reasons and the right two people, marriage is a wonderful way of experiencing your life."
~the late great George Carlin

now4teens's picture

Just play the "wait until after the holidays" card. You guys have WAYYYY too much on your plate as it is- doesn't everyone? So table the issue for now. Even if you would EVEN consider the issue seriously for an instant for SD, would it kill her to WAIT a couple of months to do it? Why does it have to come up at this particular moment?

Which, as the other posters noted, is why I think DW and SD are trying to 'poke the bear' a little bit. So just push it aside and move on to bigger, more important issues.

"If you have never been hated by a child, you have never been a parent."
-Bette Davis

MSloan86's picture

She couldnt wait because SD wouldnt let her... Apparently SD was asking fairly regularly. I expect this issue isnt over as like everything with SD she just keeps asking mommy for things (like cell phone) til she gets it. DW says she is picking her battles. Id love to see one actually get picked.

I do think I will be laying low in our sessions until the new year. That may be somewhat obvious as I tend to lead the discussions more often than not.

anabihibik's picture

At that age, though, she shouldn't have to pick her battles. She's the parent. If it's going to be an every day thing, I don't know if I would wait a month. That would grate on my nerves.

To every thing there is a season.

MSloan86's picture

This one topic doesnt worry me so much as its a symptom of so many other issues we have. SD wont move upstairs, unleess I stroke out, then DW will have her up there in a week.

I keep my sanity thanks to a great primary care physician Ive had since I was 16. He gave me a little something for the anxiety/stress. Stepdad's little helper.

Chris's picture

This is so unfair. You are being badgered in your own home for decisions that are perfectly logical by the person who should be supporting you. Even if your decision was not logical, you have the right to make it as you choose. If you ever have doubts about the correctness of your action, let me tell you what the alternative is. We live with THREE adult children who are slobs. Two are not working. Two of them have rooms that would gag a maggot. Two of them act as though we are thier personal maids, mechanics and cooks. Not one of them lifts a finger to help around the house. I have yet to see two of them put a dish in the dishwasher or wash a towel. The reason for all this is a guilt ridden father who talks to them about what they should do and then follows around after them doing what he just told them to do. Their ages are 22, 21 and 19. One of them is married but her hubby is in the service so she continued living with us. Put your foot down now and keep it down or this is your fate. Tell the wife that she is married to you not her daughter. The two of you discuss issues make your decision and move on. That is what I would do if I had it all to do over.

lil_teapot's picture

what a good person you are for all you're doing. It seems like most of us women beat up on guys because they're wrapped around their kids fingers...and then there comes along a guy like you who is trying to build a happy, functional family with woman who is being manipulated by her kid.
I'm sorry you're going through this. It seems things are hard for all step parents of both sexes.
I personally think you're doing the right thing, and wish that my H would be as communicative and reasonable as you.

MSloan86's picture

Thanks for the kind words. Ive got my own issues too, DW just isnt hear to call me names. Blum 3
I wish I did a good job of communicating with DW though. It either doesnt get through or degrades into a fight very often. But she is definately manipulated by SD. Ive told her so... that was another fight.

MSloan86's picture

The room is actually over all the other rooms on the 2nd floor. The attic is built out to the roof on the back has less of an angle. Its a dormer I think its called? So no private access, but yes she would love that in later years.

She said I didnt have to heat it, I laughed and said that would be child neglect, its gets COLD in the winter here in New England. Plus its really hot up there in the summer.
The cost is my level headed reasonable explaination for No Way in Hell. No justifiable reason for her to have that room, other than she wants it, which she thinks should be all the justification needed.

now4teens's picture

"NO". God, I love that answer. And it seems like SO many parents are afraid to use it when it comes to their 'precious snowflakes'.

The facts are these:
*she has a room- a perfectly acceptable one
*she doesn't take care of the room she HAS
(stained rug)
*she doesn't NEED a bedroom bigger than ours
*she just WANTS one
*the answer is NO
*oh, and in case you didn't hear me the
first time, the answer was "NO" Smile

"If you have never been hated by a child, you have never been a parent."
-Bette Davis

now4teens's picture

Thinking what total havoc YOUR wife and MY husband could create if they were married to each other! Wink

Well, at least the KIDS would be happy, because they would apparently immediately get EVERYTHING their little hearts desired, without US around to put the brakes (and common sense) on them!

YIKES.

"If you have never been hated by a child, you have never been a parent."
-Bette Davis

bellacita's picture

spoiled, entitled brats everywhere...yipe yipe yipe!!!!!!

"Given the right reasons and the right two people, marriage is a wonderful way of experiencing your life."
~the late great George Carlin

Catch22's picture

To Y Gen....Oh my god I just can't wait until Generation Y has kids!! Generation Z will be completely intolerable. Won't it be wonderful when Z Gen is running the world Smile Glad I'll be dead Wink

Catch xx
*Mean People Suck*

northernsiren's picture

I just have to say, I was a total brat as a teenager. I could not understand for the life of me why my parents wouldn't let me have the entire downstairs of their raised ranch for my room, and confine themselves to the upstairs. LOL....

It took a while, but I saw the error in my ways, and have, mostly, a good relationship with my parents, and I'm a reasonably respectable adult. My lessons were definitely learned the hard way though, and I have broken my parents hearts along the way far more than I would have wished it if I could do it over again....

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Albert Einstein

MSloan86's picture

I actually think SD will turn out to be a really good person overall if she can escape the mine field she is walking through.
She is extremely smart and gets As with moderate effort. She is considerate of friends and extended family. However she treats her mother like crap, and DW lets her. I could handle her attiude and other crap much better if I was handling it with my wife along side of me. Instead I am worse than alone, I am opposed by my wife and SD.

Before we married my wife and I spoke a lot about things. She always told me how she appreciates my values, and respects my opinion. The reality has been a rejection of both, and me in the process.

now4teens's picture

They are looking for guidance, and parents who are there to provide it for them. They don't want another "friend"- they have enough of them! Too many parents want to be their childrens' friends these days.

I'm sure your SD is a good kid. Deep down, most kids ARE. But they need help from their parents to show them how to be better people, better young adults. And when their parents DON'T give them that support- it just throws them completely off-kilter.

If only your DW could see the complete and total disservice she is doing to her daughter, and my DH is doing to his, by indulging their every whim instead of providing them with a firm, guiding, teaching hand.

"If you have never been hated by a child, you have never been a parent."
-Bette Davis

bellacita's picture

i feel like my DH tries to be SS's friend...or rather, he just doesnt wanna be the heavy, the bad guy. well, hes his parent and he lives w him so he has to!!! hes come a long way from where it was when i first moved in...its not that he doesnt want SS to do the rite thing, hes just kind of a pushover. so anytime i referee, SS really responds. just like w SD...yeah shes 3 but shes been babied since birth by BM and thats not gonna stop. early on, DH was very apathetic about it bc he didnt think it woudl do much good since w ehave her 4 days a month and shes living w that nut the other 26. until i said its worth it to make those 4 days we have her more tolerable. and he agreed. and guess what? she responds to the structure...always has w me! kids DO like boundaries...they crave them subconsciously. its juts up to the parenst to get over THEIR hangups and PARENT!

"Given the right reasons and the right two people, marriage is a wonderful way of experiencing your life."
~the late great George Carlin