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What is the appropriate way to deal with this?

tankh21's picture

So skids are officially with us DH's summer visitation began as of Friday June 1st and he takes them back to BM's on July 1st. SS was already looking for things to tell BM. Asking DH if he was moving to Austin, Texas because we were looking at how far it would be if he got a job in Austin, Texas. He was trying to look over DH's shoulder at his computer. DH told him to go into his room. I asked DH why he even talks about this kind of stuff in front of SS. He said that he won't anymore. Then later on SS was trying to ask me questions about what we were looking at on DH's computer. I just told him it was none of this business.

Then yesterday when we were in the car YSS tells DH that BM is coming by to "bring" him some stuff but he doesn't know what time. DH tells him no if BM wants to bring things she needs to talk to him about this. I am also curious as to how BM told SS this because he doesn't have his phone with him. It is broken. So I am assuming that BM told him before he even came our house that she was going to just stop by and bring him his stuff. What is the appropriate way to deal with BM if she just shows up at our house again?

Comments

lieutenant_dad's picture

Your DH needs to text her that it isn't okay to just show up, if the kids need something that he will go buy it for them or she can coordinate with HIM a good time and location to drop it off, and if she shows up unannounced that he will call the police as he does not give her permission to be on your property. I would also send this via email so there is a paper trail.

tankh21's picture

He has already done this when she just showed up before. She pulls this crap the last two summers. I guess he needs to be about action now.

ESMOD's picture

Re the Austin issue.  I can see how a kid would be interested if he thought his dad was moving to Austin.  Maybe or maybe not be spying for his mom as a move obviously would impact his life too.

Re the stuff drop off... she can leave it on the porch... you don't answer the door if you are home and certainly don't arrange to BE home.  The children are supervised so as to not open the door either.

tankh21's picture

I can get what you are saying but knowing his patterns and how he is sneaky. I just automatically have my guard up around him.

dysfunctionally_blended's picture

Stop the drop bys! Text BM and say nothing is to be dropped off and if it is an emergency item she needs to contact DH and coordinate. 

No way should you ever be held hostage in your own home waiting on a crazy person to show up. 

As far as the questions - I would simply explain major family decisions will be discussed as a family. Everything else is adult business and never to be questioned, period. Next time it happens issue consequences. 

tankh21's picture

Yeah that is what I was thinking as well. Do you think if BM just shows up DH should call the cops or just tell her to leave since the skid are there?

ESMOD's picture

NO... your DH shouldn't call the cops..lol.  I mean, at least not initially unless there is some sort of scene or overt intrusion.  That is ratcheting up the crazy... the cops would likely not be amused to show up because she was trying to drop the kid off a set of underwear and socks.  Unless she is pushing her way in to the house or refusing to leave if no one answers the door etc.. I don't think wasting precious law enforcement officer's time is warranted.  I mean, you have never given us any indication that she is prone to violence or that any thing bad will occur other than "she talks to your DH like a dog".. sorry, but that is pretty minor and avoidable by not answering the door. 

I mean, I get it, some BM's are high conflict and may even be a danger physically, but the world is not going to stop spinning if she drops a bag of clothes or whatever on the front porch.

And.. I would in no way make myself available for her to drop off this errand... if she wants to drop something off... fine, but you will not change your schedule to accomodate her.  And... if it is dropping off food etc.. that your DH prefer the kids not have.. he is more than welcome to either trash it.. or put it away for return with the kids at the end of their visit.  She is likely making up this errand run to try to see her kids during a long break from them.  I wouldn't enable her in this.. unless you want her to take the kids out for a fast food meal or something to get them out of your hair.

thinkthrice's picture

Say to SS:  "The things most people want to know about are usually none of their business"

Lather, Rinse, Repeat

twoviewpoints's picture

I could see BM bringing some items that maybe were not washed and ready yet when Dad picked up the kids. Yes, of course, BM needs to text and consult about convenience of Dad about time. And with your BM, she may have told her little darlings that she will make a weekly drop of all those yummy forbidden treats along with lunch of nuggets and fries. 

Who knows what that BM promised to drop by. I'd want an adult home to receive at the door whatever it is. 

Now this one:

"  I asked DH why he even talks about this kind of stuff in front of SS. He said that he won't anymore. Then later on SS was trying to ask me questions about what we were looking at on DH's computer. I just told him it was none of this business. "

You are correct, Dad shouldn't be doing this stuff or talking about it while the boys are around. The man has had all day , day after day with no one home to have done these things. Evening after evening with no kid around to privately discuss job searches, potential moves, distance of driving blah blah with you..... instead he chooses to in front of the boys. If it was some new potential, he could do it after they went to bed or asked you to look it up while he took boys out for some exercise.

The boys did what (IMO) most kids would do. Popped up with a gazillion questions 'are we moving?', 'are you moving?, 'Austin? What's in Austin?'

Of course they are curious. How will it affect them? Will it effect them? And by sending them off and telling them to mind their own business (when the 'business' was done right in front of them) is making it a big mystery secret. Just going to make them more curious. 

I assume, as the children know Dad is currently unemployed? If not, they will today when Dad fails to go off to work. IMO , a simple 'Dad is job hunting so he can support his kids and pay his bills'  is direct , short and honest. Job loss and finding re-employment is something that goes on in many households, intact families as well as step families. Housing, food, clothing, electric bills. It all cost money and there is no money tree outside the window. 

These two boys aren't that little anymore. They are old enough to learn about life isn't free and parents must work. Adult responsibilities and all that jazz. As kids, it's not their place to have to worry about finances and all, just that belts will be tightened as necessary and a 'this too shall pass'. Perfect example is how tightening belts is why there won't be lots of out of the home entertainment this visit, bills need to be paid. 

I wouldn't treat this any differently than any intact family deals with unexpected sudden unemployment. The parent tightens the budget, looks for new employment and prepares to be able to work where the jobs actually are.

Don't forget to search any arriving deliveries from BM, who knows what she will try to smuggle in.

It's going to be a long month, hang-in there. Remember to hide from them all when it's gets to be too much. Drinks with your co-workers after work, a latte in the air cool cafe before heading home. Just make time for you, where ever and however you need to do it. 

Smile

 

StepUltimate's picture

The next google searches you "accidently" leave up on the monitor: 

"Home values & local schools in Anaheim near Disneyland, lifetime passes"

"Home values & local schools in Orlando near Disney World & Universal Studios, lifetime passes"

"Home values & local schools in __^___ near ____^__, lifetime passes"

It will be AWESOME!!!!!!!

StepUltimate's picture

"What to expect when you're expecting triplets"

"Buying a pony, cowboy saddle, and riding lessons for stepson as a surprise"

"Buying brand new sports car, trailer, and NASCAR pit parking season passes"

"Cashing winning lottery tickets without ex-wife finding out"

Haha, I can play this alllll day. 

thinkthrice's picture

Some interesting stories to "overhear."  How you've won the lottery,  how you've been selected to be the next woman in space/on the space station,  how your great grandfather invented Microsoft Windows. . .etc etc.

StepUltimate's picture

Reminds me of kids I used to babysit. If one pretended to be asleep, I'd go, "Sshhh, now that BROTHER is sleeping, we can talk about his birthday / Christmas gifts!" Then start listing awesome stuff like "Space shuttle ride to the moon and back!" and "Very own submarine!" Pretty soon, the "sleeper" would be smiling & having a hard time with the sleep act. 

notsobad's picture

Oh yes! This is a great opportunity to start talking about vacations to Disney and Hawaii and getting a new car. 

As for BM bringing stuff to your house, I don’t know how to get around that without seeming like a crazy person. I certainly wouldn’t wait for her but if she comes and you’re home you have to answer the door.

Maybe watch for her & send SS out to the car before she can get to the door? Or let SS answer the door with DH standing behind him blocking her view? Get the stuff, say bye and slam the door?

Ispofacto's picture

Send her a Trespass Warning Letter by certified mail, and copy your local PD.  You can find samples online, and fix the wording to fit your situation.  Like she needs to only come during scheduled exchanges, and she must stay in her car, etc.  Then if she deviates, call the PD.