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And so it begins/continues (ditching of dad)

ITB2012's picture

Tonight I worked late. It is typically an all-kids night. I get home and YSS is there but no OSS. So, being polite (since I've gotten backlash for not caring), I ask where OSS is. DH says he doesn't know. And that he had expected OSS but OSS didn't show, he had to call/text OSS and there's no reason (no work or event) but that he just wasn't coming, and he's 18 so he is an adult and can decide.

To which I said "ok." And I went about my night.

And, yes, it bothers me. It's rude of OSS not to coordinate with DH or give him a heads-up. It's the lack of manners that bothers me. Not a huge bother but still a bother. I grew up in a household FULL of manners. We had to say 'yes, sir' and 'no, sir' and call adults Mr./Mrs. xyz.  XH and I have required DS to tell us his schedule and his plans, even as an "adult" since it's the polite and appropriate thing to do--that you'd do even in a roommate/apartment sharing situation. So that's my background and why this behavior makes ripples in my pool of tranquility. And DH gets morose with statements like "at least one kid still likes to come here." But he set up this dynamic himself.

I know, I know, me and my Miss Manners, first-world, you-have-no-idea-how-bad-it-can-get problems.

(Dear deity, there is a mosquito that could bite my arm off crawling across my screen right now. I'm gonna sign off before I lose a limb.)

Comments

nana09's picture

My 9 yr old Step Son will hang up on DH when in the middle of a conversation on the phone, will say no to EVERYTHINNNNGGGG DH says or asks him to do, demands DH takes him to where he wants to go and it has to be NOW, not one please, not one thank you....the list goes onnnnnnn and I just want to run out of the house, pull my eyeballs out and rip my ears off while seeing and hearing it happen.

ITB2012's picture

that this means DH will be morose and looking for a way to express his feelings without expressing his actual feelings. So he's gonna find something wrong with something I (or DS) do or say so he can get his frustration out (but not YSS since he actually came and "likes" DH). He likes to project, a lot.

beebeel's picture

I'm no expert, but I think that's displacement (taking his anger and hurt caused by one person out on other people) and my DH is friggin king of it. I've learned to respond with a simple, "I'm sorry you're having a bad day," Nothing else. No buts, no reasons. That tends to snap him out of his funk and stop "kicking the dog" so to speak because he's pissed at his kid.

Monkeysee's picture

I do think the OSS should have communicated with your DH, I’m nearly 40 & still let my parents know what I’m up to when I’m staying at their house. It’s the considerate thing to do.

But at 18 I’m not so sure he’s ditching his father as much as he’s finding his own footing as an adult. Your DH needs to tone down the drama on this. His kid isn’t a minor anymore & wont be spending every other weekend with daddee for the rest of his life.

tog redux's picture

Yeah, I was thinking this as well. Is DH expecting him to come for regular visitation at 18?! That seems odd to me. Yes, he should let him know ahead. But DH being morose about his kid growing up a bit is silly. 

ITB2012's picture

My opinion is that they should be able to handle more and more on their own. It’s driven DH nuts that DS (my bio) has had a more flexible schedule. But I’ve enforced the “let me/XH/DH know your plans.” 

He lets go completely in some areas (not holding the kid to a curfew) but then is sad and frustrated in other areas and doesn’t see it’s a result of him letting go —they don’t think they have any obligation to inform or communicate. And then, because he’s a friend and not a parent, he thinks “they don’t like me” and makes those morose statements instead of proudly watching as his kids grow up.