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DH still not speaking to me!

Stepmom2.0's picture

 

DH is barley speaking to me still . This morning he only said "Morning"  no any affection of any kind. He would normally atleast hug me or a quick peck but noting. When we were eating breakfast he was not acknowledging at all. He only was talking to BD. I had to exuse myself because I almost started crying. Why am I being blamed for something I am not responsible for? I told him that if he wants to mend his relationship with OSS and YSS he can just out of the house but somehow in his mind that's me saying "no you you're not allowed to have any sort of contact with your sons". My conditions for having OSS in this house are very reasonable(so I thought): 1) apologize to both DH and I 2) Show me basic respect 3) Act like he wants to be part of the family Everything was going great until thanksgiving when the inlaws ambushed us with OSS22 and YSS20. They were acting as if  we were total strangers. Total disregard for me, DH, and BD8- their sister!. The most we got out from them was "hello". Ever since then DH wants to fix things with his sons. Go for it but approach it in way that  doesn't compromise any boundaries that we've struggled to establish earlier- he suffered from gulity parent syndrome when the boys were younger.

Both of them are doing well for themselves: OSS is currently in his first year of his masters in microbiology(seeks to become a medical microbiologist), has a boyfriend (30 years old ; a  police officer). YSS is currently in his second year of Business. We have not seen or spoken to OSS in 6 years and YSS for 4 years. Anytime DH would try to initiate any sort of interaction with them, they disregarded him entirely and acted like he wasn't there. They also would speak about famiy vacations that the inalws and them went on- one's that DH did not know about.  When he asked OSS about his boyfriend, there was zero ackowledgement. 

My in-laws are  hospitable people. We knew they kept in touch with the boys after they cut DH off. So why the need to hide the fact that everyone else in DH's family is taking secret vacations with his sons?. They already had met OSS boyfriend and were asking about him. They treat everyone with respect and are warm hearted people. It was as if they could not see how the boys were treating DH. They treated me and my bios (including DD from my previous marriage) very well, but they always had slight favortism towards OSS and YSS. 

I apologize for not providing enough backround information in my previous post. When I deleted my previous account 6 years ago I thought my step drama was over. Probably should have kept it. 

Backstory:

I met DH a year after his divorce to BM was finalizsed. OSS was 12 and YSS 10. YSS was a very sweet boy and OSS was troubled. As I stated in my previous post, DH and Bm would argrue in front of Oss; as a result he was a very withdrawn kid. Didn't talk much, hated being away from DH, and didn't have many friends.

Me moving in with DH is what triggered OSS's disrespect. He hated me! Plain and simple. I did everything for him. Took him shopping, helped him with schoolwork, made his favorite food. Noting seemed to work with him. DH did not parent the boys properly. He would give the boys anything and allowed them to do anything . I advised DH that it would be good idea to take OSS to therapy and maybe consider going himself in order to re-establish the parent-child dynamic with his sons. Instead of being considered a "friend ", he should be respected and ackowledged as their "father" . Thankfully the therapist agreed with me and DH started to actually parent his kids. I could tell it was hard for him espsically with OSS but it needed to be done not only for DH's sake but for OSS's too. It was never my intention to create a wedge in their relationship or try to take DH away from OSS. If DH established healthy boundaries and actually disciplined is kids then OSS would thrive. Don't children prosper in a structured and disciplined household with healthy boundaries?  My only intention was to make OSS a better person and not have him struggle later in life. That's all! That was how I raised my DD and I recieved praise on how well behaved she was. It wanted the same for OSS. BM would let the boys to whatever they wanted; they were becoming entiled brats. This would only hurt them  in the future. But in the eyes of OSS the change in his relationship with his dad was due to me and  I was labelled as the "wicked stepmother" that was trying to take his dad away from him. That was/is not true! I would never dream of doing such a horrendous thing. DH loved both OSS and YSS very much. His boy were his life . Anything he did for one, he did for the other and the three of them loved spending time together.  

As I stated OSS witnessed DHand BM argue prior to their divorce. Being the protective big brother he was , he ensured YSS was away from the toxicity. That blame falls on both BM and DH. DH admitted that having to witness them argue was unfair to OSS. It was his job to protect the his kids from the fights and was felt extreme gulit over this. His theapist advised him that becoming a gulity parent would only do more damage to OSS and the best course of action would be for him to apologize to OSS and acting like a proper parent would only benefit him.  

YSS fell into line quickly, but OSS made DH work for it! It was becoming too much for me and being pregnant with BD, I had to disenage and leave all parenting of OSS to DH. OSS would address DH with profanity, talk back, direscpted  our rules and everyone else in the house except for YSS. Therapy was not working for him either. He was just angry at everyone. He was a very smart kid and had potential to do great in school if he applied himself. But as a way to "punish" us, he would purposefully fail to turn in assingments, do homework, or study for his exams. Noting was working to bring him into line. 

It was very hard for DH watch OSS spiral down this dark path but he also had to look at everyone else in the house as well. OSS had such a bad influence on the household. Dh and I would fight constantly and we were very close on getting a divorce. Our marriage counsellor told Dh that he had to decide if it's worth putting so much effort in one person who is clearly not responding/appreciating  what we provide. After all we had 4 others in the house to think about as well. We both decided that it would be the best that DH see OSS outside of our  home. He could take both OSS and YSS out for lunches, dinners, the movies whatever he wanted but at the end of the day he would drop OSS back at BM'S. He would remain in contact with him and hopefully seeing what he would be missing out on would initatie some sort of change in his behaviour.  Both DH and I agreed the day OSS realized the error in his behaviour and apologizes to us he would be welcome back- DH would bring him over the very same day if it was our visitation week. He would be given a clean slate but the length of his arrangement would depend on how long OSS took to reflect. At the time we thought this was a good arrangement.... we've could not have been more wrong! OSS just lost it and shut himself in his bedroom. The damage was done. OSS believed I came between him and DH. We dropped them off and returned home. The next day CPS was at the door. This could have affected  my and DH career!! and the humilation.... DH called BM and she clamied that OSS told her that he was being abused by me. I hit him, DH starves him... we we're hurt. DH decided that he was "done" until OSS grew up. He filed for to change CS adjusted; BM accepted. Having Bm whisper to OSS that DH didn't help either. It was a lose-lose situation. Our hope was that OSS would see BM for who she truly is and learn to appreciate all that we provided him. We did not hear from him at all. DH tried to maintain contact but he wasn't responding. OSS graduated high school with honors and moved out of BM's(thankfully). DH sent a congradulation text, e-mail, fb message..... noting. The therapist told DH to give OSS space, tell him he loves him and misses him and leave it at that. Dh never got a response ever. Brithdays, holidays, you name it but no response and it hurt DH a lot.. He was missing OSS greatly but he held his ground. 

YSS started to pull away as well. He lashed out at DH and told him that he was a "POS of a father" for not speaking to OSS and both DH and BM are responsible for this and he should be ashamed of himself for allowing Stepmom 2.0 (me) come in between them. He's tried many times to reach out to them but no such luck. When YSS graduated only the inalws were invited. We and BM weren't invitied. The in-laws helped both boys get set up at college. Knowing that the in-laws were there for his sons gave DH some peace but it still hurt him that they wanted noting to do with him.

Our first time seeing and "interacting" with the boys was on Thanksgiving and ever since a wedge as been created betwen DH and I. I an underlying fear that my marriage may be  on the line. I KNOW that his boys wants me gone especially OSS. He feels that DH "chose" me over him and is seeking retaliation.

 

Comments

Siemprematahari's picture

Your H is projecting his failure to parent his sons on you. Instead of him looking within and trying to look for ways to remedy the situation and create healthy relationships with his sons, its easier to blame you. He believes you are the cause of the whole toxic dynamic and is now giving you the silent treatment.

He has to own his sh!t and get to the root of the problem which at the end of the day is not you. If he doesn't face his problems your marriage will be in disrepair.

Stepmom2.0's picture

It was not my fault that his previous marriage failed and OSS had to witness something no child should ever see, so why am I being blamed for it? 

I know what the root of the problem is.."me"- In the OSS eyes I took his "friend" away from him and he became is "DAD" and YSS blames "me" for having brought on this wedge in their relationship. The SP is always the root of the problem

beebeel's picture

No child should ever see their parents argue? Huh? Unless there was screaming and abuse, I'm pretty sure every child has heard their parents argue.

susanm's picture

LOL   Apparently not.  I was not aware of this either until I entered the portals of stephell.  According to the Church of Divorce, overhearing so much as a cross word between parents is abuse and requires that a child be endlessly indulged for the rest of their lives.

ProbablyAlreadyInsane's picture

I've actually read it's healthy for kids to see at least some arguing (nothing abusive or screaming or yelling, that gives them false expectations in a different way). It gives them more realistic expectations for future relationships. That way at the first sign of trouble they don't think they've screwed up and realize that relationships mean work, and that if they disagree with each other it's okay, because both are still entitled to their opinions, even in a relationship.

thinkthrice's picture

CPS was called on us as well by the Girhippo (BM) after Chef DARED to discipline SD by putting her in time out for kicking her brother in the face.  Up to this point DH was disney dad and BFF to skids which i stated was a BAD idea.  I too believe in the parent/child divide and both my adult children have grown up to be productive members of society; never in trouble of any sort.

Survivingstephell's picture

I read your other post to DH last night and he recognized how similar your story was to ours.  He also has two sons who have written him off.  OSS was BM's right hand man from birth in abusing DH with headgames.  The temper tantrums I witnessed from OSS at 14 and BM thru the years, oy. 

A couple of things you need to remember Stepmom2.0.  

You did not cause this and are not the reason for the failure of the relationship between DH and his sons.  BM is.  From day one of their lives.  It makes no difference who DH married, the boys would have written him off. Once you and DH can accept that, the lighter life will become.  BM's dysfunction is written all over this situation.  

There is very little for you to own in this mess.  Most of it rests on DH and he is being buried by the guilt of it all,  Choosing a rotten woman to mate with is a crushing guilt.  One you can't change or take back,  only accept and learn to live with it  DH needs a good male therapist to work this out with.  My DH worked with three male therapists and they were godsends in his recovery.  Each brought something different to the table that he needed to learn and own.  

Your inlaws are sad sacks of people.  My inlaws keep in touch with the skids too.  They know more than we do and we also had an awkward Christmas a few years back with everyone in a tiny house.  The family was seperated that year because of some fighting that got out of hand between SIL and BIL.  I looked at the sofa and it was filled with OSD, YSS and BIL, and it dawned on me that becuase the 3 of them could not handle their tempers, we were stuck in this mess and FIL and MIL  didn't call any of them on it.  Glad to go home that day.  Only so many shit sandwiches to eat in a situation like that.  You have my sympathy for your dinner with them.  What a nightmare.  

I'm sure some of this was due to DH taking the high road and not giving the boys facts about the marriage, fights and type of person BM was like to be married to.  I'm sure he took all the blame.  Him being noble is a part of the problem.  One of the things that you love about a person but also bites them in the ass at times.  

Take a step back from DH and his ball of doom.  He needs  therapy and fast IMO.  He needs an unbiased person to help him accept what it is, to teach him that deep down he is a good person and bad things happen to good people, that not every decision we make leads to happiness but that dosen't mean you can't find it ever.  

His marriage to BM is over, thank God for that, it sounds horrible.  He is so focused on the past, that he can't see now.  He is stuck in a loop.  Can you help him out of it?  Not by yourself.  He's dug himself into deep.  What you can do it put limits on how much you will allow it to suck the air out of your marriage.  

Its a good time of the year to start a Christmas tradition.  At dinner everynight with your BD8, talk about something each day that was good, and worth being grateful for.  Try to include DH in it.  He needs to get out of his head.  Don't give much energy to his stuggling.  Some men need to stew before they can talk about it.  Hopefully he can broach it in another day or two.  

I have three skids, 20, 23, 27  that do not know our BD9.  I'm ok with it and you should be too.  Who knows what rotten thing they could say to her?  I'm not taking any chances on that.  

Holidays are tough, hang in there.  Focus on the positive in your life, don't let these rotten boys steal the holiday from the younger ones.  Fake it until you make it if you have to.  

If you're a reader, the book Boundaries by Cloud and Townsend might be just what you need right now.  

 

Exjuliemccoy's picture

Surviving knows her stuff, and is spot on.

You simply must find a way to stop being collateral damage in your H's napalmed relationships with his sons. Be healthy with your daughter, and try to stop allowing his misplaced anger to affect you. If he doesn't want to talk to you, fine. But stop being his willing whipping boy. Stop being around in the evenings, stop feeding him, doing his laundry, etc. Take your daughter and go visiting, shopping, to a movie, etc. Leave him to his fee fees.

tog redux's picture

Oh, I would have it out with DH. Let him know you'll be happy to move out if he thinks that is the solution to his problem,  just say the word.  Then go about your business.

He's being an asshole - you are the only person in this entire scenario who gives a rat's ass about him, and he's blaming you.

I'm so mad at him for you. Take your BD and go visit local family for a week or so, let him sulk in private. He's a jerk. He knows full well that if he called OSS, he'd be ignored completely just as he always was, so he won't even try.

Alienation sucks, we went through it too. But that's no excuse for his behavior.

lieutenant_dad's picture

"DH, how exactly is giving me the silent treatment fixing anything with OSS and YSS? If you want to fix it, then get off your rear and find help. I'm not stopping you. I have never stopped you. I understand you are hurting, but I won't be your punching bag. You have always been free to walk away from me and do what you thought was best. And the choice is still yours.

So, quit sulking and do something or quit sulking and do nothing. Treating me poorly isn't an option that allows you to stay under this roof with me. So make your choice."

I don't care if you have to say this with clenched fists and tears streaming down your face, but you need to remind your DH that HIS choices have been HIS alone. If he didn't like what you had to offer, he could have walked. He doesn't get to regret his decisions or feel hurt by them and take them out on you. That is unacceptable.

TrueNorth77's picture

What is DH even mad at you for? He wants to invite SS over and try to rebuild his relationship- you expressed that it should start outside the home. Um, I'm sorry DH, but based on SS's reaction on Thanksgiving, it doesn't matter if he meets with SS at your house or Disneyland, I don't think that kid is going to want to meet with him. You stating that the same conditions you created before still apply doesn't change that. It's not like you said that and all of a sudden SS will no longer come. He can still contact him and try to establish a relationship- It's probably better if they do it somewhere neutral without you there anyway.

Your DH is a grown adult- he doesn't need your permission to call his son and meet with him (somewhere else of course), tell him to stop pouting and just do it already. He probably won't come anyway. FFS.