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BM expects SD to keep half brother

In-the-middle's picture

at my house. My SD does not visit with BM. My DH has full custody of his 15 year old daughter. His EXwife lost custody because of drugs and negligence. She is currently going through a third divorce and has a 4 yr old son with that man. The only time my SD sees her little half-brother is when she babysits him at my house (without my approval) every other Saturday while she is at work or during a meeting with her lawyer. I work Saturday's also so I don't have to deal with him a whole lot. He isn't a bad kid, just not mine or my husband's. This irritates me and I am a Christian woman and I should just allow it to happen and not get upset. But I can't help it. BM never offers to help pay for anything regarding her daughter, not even for watching her son. My DH will take the boy and his daughter with him to run errands or drop them off at his parents house so he can do side jobs. Then takes them to lunch, which he pays for. My BS9 is usually at his father's house while the little boy is over and plays in my sons room after I've told SD to not let him in there. I've told my DH I didn't approve of 4 yr old boy coming over unless it was an emergency. And I've heard him tell his EX that also but she doesn't listen. She calls my SD asking if she'll watch the boy and of course she loves to and then SD will sweetly ask daddy and he says yes. Typing this out makes it sound insignificant and I know the replies are just going to me in my favor. So give me some tough love please. The truth. The BM always gets her way from us. So other things are at play here that would take days of typing and I don't want to bore you all to death. But any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

justmakingthebest's picture

How does your SD feel about being stuck babysitting a 4yr old all the time without pay? Maybe this is a chance for you to teach SD her worth and help her draw up a babysitting contract for BM to sign with her. It is good for young women to start having expectations of their worth to their employer. 

Siemprematahari's picture

The only time my SD sees her little half-brother is when she babysits him at my house (without my approval)

Number 1~ How is this your house and you didn’t approve of such an arrangement? How does this even happen?

I've told my DH I didn't approve of 4 yr old boy coming over unless it was an emergency. And I've heard him tell his EX that also but she doesn't listen. She calls my SD asking if she'll watch the boy and of course she loves to and then SD will sweetly ask daddy and he says yes.

Number 2~ How is his EX running shit in your home? You told your H of your disapproval and he still went against you his wife and agreed to the 4 year old coming over anyway??? Yeah that's a hell NO for me. The problem here is your H who is not respecting and dismissing you. You need to address your H and lay down the law and tell him the changes that you expect to see. He gets away with this because you have allowed it. Find your voice and let him know this is not acceptable. This is YOUR house also and if you don’t shut this down it will persist and things will only get worse.

In-the-middle's picture

Thank you for the quick reply! My SD is currently seeking employment at a mom and pop resturant in town and I'm hoping this will end the BM "cries for help". My SD almost put on her application that she couldnt work every other Saturday because of the little brother. But I told her she wouldn't get hired if she couldnt work when they wanted her too. Wooo! The BM tells SD that she'll pay her but never does. Says she cant pays us anything until her divorce is final. Yea whatever, I've heard that before from my EX.

In-the-middle's picture

I have suggested that but nothing came of it. My husband is very cautious of the area his EX lives in and also the drug related past she has had. Since my SD isn't driving herself yet it is more of a hassle for my husband. I truly do wish she could watch him there. Thank you!

In-the-middle's picture

I am trying to be a Christian about this situation. My SD loves her little brother and doesn't get to see him. So I tell myself that I'm doing it for her but deep down inside me I'm fired up about it. My H tries to keep the peace between them and goes along with it. Your right, it does seem like BM is trying to run my house. This isn't the only time she has manipulated us for her benefit. Thank you.

Kes's picture

Just because you are a Christian it doesn't mean people get carte blanche to flout boundaries willy nilly.  Jesus didn't like people messing with his, huh?  he threw the moneylenders out of the temple.    I bet he would hold your purse while you laid down the law on this issue to DH, SD and BM.  

In-the-middle's picture

Yahoo

I love that! You are correct! I need to do something about BM abusing my authority. I'm not even sure she knows that I disapprove of the situation.

GoingWicked's picture

I'm going to problably be in the minority here, but I think that as long as the kid is behaving and cleaned up after, it shouldn't be an issue.  I can see if he was coming over, throwing temper tantrums, breaking things, pulling the cat around by it's tail.   And since you aren't asked to do anything, and you aren't even home, I say this is your DH and SD's home too.   They should be able to invite people over.  You don't get to be the sole dictator.  

I think the issue is that both your DH and SD have poor boundaries with toxic BM.   Let them get run over by her if they want.  You need to pick your battles, and decide where your own boundaries should be, in other words what is worth getting worked up over and what is not.

In-the-middle's picture

Thank you for the clarity. I agree that I should be more considerate of my home being their home too. But being the adult over my SD I should at least have some say in who she invites over. I have a good relationship with her and I know she has a lot of regret about leaving her half brother stuck with his crazy mother. SD seems more parental over him than as a sibling. I try to tell her it isn't her job to be so upset about the situation but she does. I'm hoping SD getting a job soon will cut this out. But it may create more problems later. Hopefully not. I do see the boy for a few hours until his mother picks him up. I just stay to myself and pretend he isn't here.

tog redux's picture

She's the adult - SD should not have more say than she does. IMO, this is poor boundaries. She can see her half-brother at BM's home. 

Aniki-Moderator's picture

Your husband is allowing BM to dictate what happens in your home and neither he nor SD have any respect for your boundaries. Your DH obviously has no problem playing step daddy and chauffeur to the boy.

If this boy being in your son's room is unacceptable, get a lock for the door and YOU keep the key. No one else. 

However, your DH is your biggest obstacle.

notarelative's picture

Biology wins every time. No matter the reason BM lost custody of SD, SD still has that primal urge to please BM by watching her half brother. Plus if it's the only time she sees him, it's the only time to build a sibling bond. 

Is the situation right? No. Is SD's response to BM understandable? Yes

My BS9 is usually at his father's house while the little boy is over and plays in my sons room after I've told SD to not let him in there. 

This would bother me. I'd get a locking doorknob and lock the room when BS is not there. While BS should be expected to keep his room neat, he should not be expected to hide the items the 4 year old is too young for each time he visits his dad.

Yes, BM is taking advantage of SD, DH, and DH's parents. BM is also most likely denying her divorcing husband custody time by sending the child to SD. Once her divorce is final, hopefully, the newest ex has custody during her work time.

STaround's picture

and it is not fair to expect her to negotiate with an adult.  I am hoping she gets a job, and that puts an end to this.   I understand DHs fear of his SD being in a tough neighborhood.  

lieutenant_dad's picture

I feel for your SD. She clearly loves her brother, and she has a crap mother who can't facilitate that relationship. My guess is that if she tells BM no, BM will then keep little brother away and crush SD as punishment.

SD is stuck, and she will be the victim of any fallout. Can SD go to BM's house, or can a maternal family member facilitate the babysitting? Or, if new XH isn't a total arse, would he be willing to facilitate SD having a relationship with his son/her brother? If someone else can facilitate, then at least it isn't happening in your home.

Would you be willing to accept one Saturday a month? That would allow SD to work, and keep a relationship with her brother, and limit your DH's excess spending. You could keep it scheduled to when your son is not home, either.

You're doing a good thing, and you're not wrong for not liking it. I'd likely allow it to continue as-is for the sake of my SKs, but I would put up boundaries with my DH about money spent, have very clear house rules with SD, put in some cameras so I know what's going on in my house, and put a lock on any door I wouldn't want folks going into. I'd even likely buy some toys for the boy, but I have the income to do that.

I don't know that I could hate BM enough to hurt my SKs or another kid PROVIDED that all the kids are generally respectful and appreciative, the SKs want to do it, and BM isn't using the child to stir up additional drama. I admittedly have a soft spot for kids, and really, I read this as an actual "for the kids" problem. Sure, BM is using SD, but SD is enjoys it and it's good she has a good relationship with her brother.

I don't have a good solution. There just isn't one. I can see all sides of this, so I'm not sure there is one good or bad answer. I do think tightening up on boundaries is important and making sure DH isn't feeling responsible for feeding/clothing/entertaining BM's son and SD knows that this is a job, you're the boss, and what you say goes. Past that...it's a toss up for me on what is the right path forward.

In-the-middle's picture

Oh goodness, reading that was like reading my thoughts. Haha! I'm so wishy washy about the whole thing that I try the grit my teeth and go along with it. My SD is definitely being used but she is also using her mother to get to her little brother. And I have told her that. The boy's father is an arse! He's worse than the mother. He will not allow my SD to have time with the boy on his time. 

lieutenant_dad's picture

Then, unfortunately for SD, the divorce may put an end to her time with her brother, or will put a big limiter on it if the XH actually gets some visitation with his son. Or gets full custody.

I hate all of this for SD. It's not fair to anyone involved, but her BM has put her in such a crappy spot.

In-the-middle's picture

Thank you. The boy may end up in foster care when it's all said and done, who knows. I regret I don't have empathy for the boy I guess because his mother has been such a large issue for us in the past. It has numbed my feelings for her. But it isn't the boys fault and I will try to look at it differently.

tog redux's picture

I don't see it as "hating BM" in the least - it's about appropriate boundaries.

OP, if you allow it to continue, your DH needs to be there to ensure the kid doesn't go into your son's room and play with his stuff. Or perhaps DH can take SD and her brother out somewhere. But you shouldn't have to just "put up with it". 

Harry's picture

If you do not want this kid over your house,  why is he there.  I can understand how you feel. The EX is controlling your home.   Your main problem is your DH.  
 

He is allowing his EX to control what's happing.  He is putting his EX and her wishes, before you.  The adult who house it is.  If SD wants to babysit , then she should go somewhere to do said babysitter.  Not your house.  Time to take charge, and see where you really stand.  Are you more important, or is the EX more important?

 

Then it  will be time for your future plans in life.

In-the-middle's picture

I'm trying to do it for the kids. But I will put my foot down about the BM trying to dictate what goes on in my house.

tog redux's picture

Your DH is really the one letting you down here - if he can't say no to SD, then he needs to be responsible for SD and the boy the entire time they are there, and do things with them outside the home.  You've asked him not to agree to it, and he keeps saying yes.

I can certainly get the empathy for SD and the boy, but yet - it's still not YOUR responsibility to facilitate a relationship between them. If DH wants to do it, then fine - but he should do it with the least impact on you. 

Winterglow's picture

Tell me, what would happan if the boy had an accident while at your house? Would your insurance cover any medical or legal costs?

lieutenant_dad's picture

Why wouldn't it? It would be no different than any other non-resident getting hurt in the home.

NoWireCoatHangarsEVER's picture

and upon rare occasion, my DD14 will babysit my DD5 at his house.  I did get his permission.  He knows that DD14 wants to earn money and that I pay her to babysit.  I could easily pay some other teen in the neighborhood to watch my DD5.  She could watch her at my house but it's his custody time that this has occured.  He also doesn't have a lot of money so he is unable to pay DD14 for chores or to get her an allowance.  IF she has her own spending money, then she is not likely to ask him for money for things and it's only been for a few hours here and there.  I always ask him and her and they always know they can say no and that I have tons of other options but if I have to pay someone , then DD likes to get first dibs at the money.  I wouldn't feel comfortable if 1)I had asked him and 2) no one was getting paid.  That wouldn't be right.  DD14 also will babysit some of her stepmom's coworkers children at their house to earn some money every once and awhile too.

In-the-middle's picture

Your Ex may have agreed to it but it doesn't mean he likes it. We supply this boy with food and sometimes clothing with no reimbursement. I'm glad your Ex's daughter is getting paid, that makes a huge difference. Plus it keeps her from asking dad to pay for things.