You are here

Is this normal??

trysohard's picture

Hello fellow friends! I have been researching sites for me to education myself, vent at times, and become a better role in my SSs lives. I think I have a great one here. I have been reading a lot of the members blogs and forum topics and am blown away by all the love and support here. I can't wait to get to know each one of you!

With that being said...I do have an issue that has been bothering me for some time and would like feedback. Here is my 'blended' family bio in a snap shot. I have been married to my husband for over a year now. He and his ex divorced 3 years ago. I have SS age 4 and 2.5. Yes they divorced after second SS was born. BM (I am learning the lingo here) remarried soon after...kids were 2 and 8months at the time. My hubby and her have not had a great communication since the seperation. Okay, lets be honest...no communication. They have made strides but every now and then a set back. I am sure this isn't an uncommon thing.

Anyway, When BM got married she told...not asked...my hubby that she was having the kids call her husband "daddy". My husband of course didn't like the idea since the kids were soo young. How could they make their own choice if she was telling them this is who he was? Her reasoning was that they wanted to have kids right away with her new husband and felt it wouldn't be right for their kids to call him daddy and not my stepsons. To this day they haven't had kids of their own for whatever reason, I don't know. My husband has let the anger of that go away because he is happy that they like him enough anyway. But we started to refer to the stepdad as "daddy (hisname)". Mainly the choice in doing this is to understand what daddy they were talking about and with lots of research that was a common thing people did in their families. But recently when hubby talks to them on the phone or wedcam...they call him "daddy (his name)" and not just Daddy. Is this something to worry about? I have heard her call him by his real name to the kids and not Dad. I feel that BM has bad motives for things. She has asked my husband in the past to give up his rights. We feel she has always wanted to replace him. My husband really took that hard. He feels like he has failed but I haven't seen a Dad like him try soo hard to make a relationship with his kids. We don't live close to them and have to travel a lot to see them. They have been through bad custody court crap that never really got any of us anywhere. What is normal in this situation? I can only find people with these problems when the kids are much older. The youngest wasn't even 1 when he was being told to call 2 people Dad. Thanks for reading and any help is welcome. Good or bad.

poisonivy's picture

I would encourage you and DH to continue to reach out to the children as much as possible. Communication is extremely important in helping to establish the dynamics. Unfortunately, since BM seems to be the custodial parent, the children will, most likely be pressured to call her new husband "daddy" and there is not much that you will be able to do about it. Our SKIDS' BM had a fit when she found out that they referred to me as "MOM". I don't know how they refer to me when they aren't in my home, but when they are its MOM. Don't feel bad about the name, its just that, a name. Be sure that the relationship speaks volumes about who your DH really is and soon the kids will be old enough to form their own opinions and may decide to call him something even more endearing!

trysohard's picture

We have a great relationship with the kids. They always want to go home with us but BM says no. They do visit our house once a year as of now... We need to move closer to really make a closer bond and be apart of daily activies. I have to say I did love it when the oldest SS said to BM as where were dropping them off the last day one visit, "(my name) is mommy just like you mom". The look on her face was priceless. She doesn't enjoy the taste of her own medicine. I don't force them to call me mom. They do at times call me Mommy (my name) and I know that has bothered her. She feels they cannot call me that unless they live with me. Well if my income plays apart in your child support, then I have every right to be a 'mom' to those kids.

IslandofDreams's picture

So basically the whole "Daddy" thing backfired in BM's face??!! LOVE it!

The look on her face when Skids called you Mommy Trysohard must have been beautiful!

trysohard's picture

It was nice...as bad as that is, it made my day. Smile mostly made my day that he thought of me that way. melted my heart

poisonivy's picture

Like I told BM, "My house my rules" works both ways. If you want them to call you "Most Honorable Queen Mother Dancing Unicorn Yahtzee" then that's what they call you. The important thing is the relationship that the kids have with you and DH.

IslandofDreams's picture

Poisonivy,

I love that line. "Most Honorable Queen Mother Dancing Unicorn Yahtzee" I think I will have to use it. Smile

I am confused's picture

My ex-GF's ex-husband told her daughter (my exSD15) to start calling his new wife "Mommy" at 2 years old. Just tragic. Finally at 15 she has figured out all the lunacy and knows what a sick twisted deal they had going, trying to basically make BM feel like SM and SM play the role of BM, and she really doesn't care for SM any more and not too damned much for BD to be honest. She knows she was manipulated and that they tried to get her BM out of her life and it pisses her off...

They'll figure it out sooner or later if your DH sticks with it.