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Need Advice - DH wants to spend time with his kids first days home with newborn.

Emerson's picture

Hello,
I just wanted to see if anyone had any advice as to how I should feel about this, or what they would do. Thank you for any input.

I have been married to DH about 4 months, he has two 8 year boys from a relationship that lasted about 3-5 months. The BM has full custody and always has. He has visitation every other weekend for 2 days (4 days a month total). I don't know how much information is relevant...

BM is CRAZY. When I first met her (I had just started dating current DH) she came up to me and said she is the boys mother and it's not my place to act like their mother because that's her job (I only had them over at my house once prior), nevermind I told DH before I met her I have no interest in playing "mom" to his kids.

DH and her haven't even tried reconciliation for 5 years, which didn't work. She has been dating a man for the last 2 years.
Before I met her, she sent DH text messages saying she was the one who was supposed to be with him, and how could he do this to her. I am serious she is nuts!! When she finally calmed down about him dating someone she decided to start speaking badly about him and me. Then we announced our marriage. She went ballistic. Out of nowhere his boys do not want to come over to visit (he told them too bad).

Then she found out I am pregnant. Now it's even worse. Those kids, who were somewhat polite before, have turned.
They come over, trash my home and if I ask them to pick up their mess, they ask, "why" and then pick up part of it, if at all. They fight each other and SCREAM at each other, I've asked them to stop the screaming, they don't. They harass my pets, I have asked them to stop, they don't. They break my things, I have told to not to touch things unless they ask me, THEY DON'T LISTEN TO THIS AT ALL. They won't wash their hands after using the bathroom unless they are told to, then I have to count how many seconds were they washing... okay 5 seconds, then I have to tell them to do it again and use soap!! The other day all of us were crossing a parking lot and a car was coming, one of the boys didn't see us all stop and wait for a car to go by so I yelled for him to stop, twice. His father finally yelled and he stopped, almost getting hit.
But the worst thing? They are disgusting. They stick their hands in their pants. Seriously. ALL. THE. TIME. And do NOT cover their cough, sneeze, etc. I have to continually ask them to wash their hands when I actually see them do these things, and what do they say? "WHY?!"

So here's my issue. I love DH, he's a great guy, unless it has something to do with his kids. I can't say anything negative about them or he gets pissed. I just want him to understand where I am coming from! These kids are rude to me as well, not to mention my home (he moved in with me).
Now, I am 39 weeks pregnant. I am scheduled for a C-Section in one week. We go home Valentines Day. Guess who is supposed to visit?

I asked him 2 weeks ago if BM can just keep them that weekend (it's our first days home with a newborn!) He said that was fine. Then last week he said he'd ask his mom to babysit that weekend, and she said she can probably do it Valentines Day night, but not for sure.
So I asked him what is going to happen if she can't watch them.
And he said HE IS GOING TO GET A HOTEL ROOM WITH THEM FOR THOSE DAYS.
Yes, the first 2 days home after a c-section with a newborn, and because I do not want his kids there those days (their behavior and germs), he would rent a hotel room to stay with them.

Maybe it's my hormones. Maybe I am very selfish. But this is really upsetting to me.
I do not have anyone else to help me those days.
He thinks I'm making him chose between myself and his kids.
I didn't say anything about him having to choose. I just told him I am angry he's leaving to be with them when I feel I need him most.

Please give me some feedback. My brain is totally shutdown with all the other baby stuff I have to deal with.
Thank you.

Most Evil's picture

Umm, he better get his happy *ss over to help you with that baby - or he is going to meet a Real!! crazy BM!!!!!

Do not let him get away with leaving you alone in your weakened condition!!!

The skids can wait, either he is with you and seriously actually HELPING you, or his ass is going to be paying child support to TWO BMS!!!!!

Time to play hard ball girl !

Anon2009's picture

It sounds like bm is a handful. My first suggestion is that dh needs to get a court ordered visitation and custody plan if he doesn't have one and wave it in her face, and involve the courts if she ever violates it. She could face fines, jail time, loss of custody, etc if she fails to abide by the court order. In fact, he should get changes to the one in place. Her having custody isn't working.

You need to read up on parental alienation syndrome (pas). That's what bm is doing to the kids. Your dh needs to read "Divorce Poison" and you need to purchase books and a DVD for the kids. The DVD is called "welcome back Pluto" and helps kids figure out the truth for themselves. It's come in handy at my house. Google it-it's on many websites for sale. There are also some great books for kids on divorce, stepparents, etc.

No parent likes to hear their child being attacked or criticized. It may help you to approach dh about his kids in a calm tone from the angle of wanting to help them. You could say, "hey dh, I am very worried about Johnny's ability to do xyz. It looks like he's struggling with it. What can we do to help him" or "dh, I care very much about Joey. It seems like he's been having a tough time lately and yelling a lot. I'm worried and hope he's ok. I'm sure he'd love it if you talked with him and found out what's going on." You should absolutely talk with dh about issues with his kids but really make sure you're approaching it from a calm angle of wanting to help them.

He absolutely needs to find someone to watch them so he can help you. He'll have to work something out with bm. If she can't watch them she will have to find someone to do so. Dh needs to be helping you with the baby.

Orange County Ca's picture

He didn't have the courage to tell his ex that she needs to keep the kids that weekend because he's afraid of her wrath. He won't have the courage to stand up to her in the future. Ever.

Upside is he won't have the courage to stand up to you either so you can walk all over him. Except with the problem is his ex in which case he'll probably have a mental break down trying to figure out what to do.

Tell the people at the hospital that you have nobody to take care of you at home and special arrangements will be made to help you. Tell him to take his things with him to the motel and stay there after he takes his kids back to their mother.

Contact an attorney to set up child support for your child. Accept the fact that this guy isn't worth keeping unless you wish you AND your child to play second fiddle to his first wife.

simifan's picture

He wouldn't have to worry about a babysitter - I'd be going to my Momma's. This is crazy - the night you come home from the hospital with a 'C' section - he's going to leave you alone.

IslandGal's picture

Leave his ass immediately!!

This will be your life - if you choose to accept it. For real - RUN! RUN! RUN!

SadFairy's picture

I hope I'm wrong for your sake, but it looks like he's setting a precedent. Those boys will always take priority over your child. I can't wrap my head around why he would want to spend the first few days of new baby's life in a hotel room with his other kids, for no good reason. Not only is he not interested in bonding with this child, but he doesn't care that you will need help and support that weekend.

DiggingIn's picture

You better stop your husband now or he will make it a precedent. Especially considering the condition you will be in! If he gets away with this now you better believe it will only get worse.