Re: How Will a Child's Discomfort With a Stepparent Affect Visitation
im sure you understand legally you have no grounds but it is great that as part of this child's life and the fathers that you are seeking advice to help him and his family (and yours if you are to marry him in the future). my stepdaughter lives with my husband and i (shes always lived with her dad..he and i married when she was 4) and there have been rough patches (always is in a blended family). most problems stemmed when she visited her mother and was told either outright lies abt her father and i or shaded half-truths. shes never had a problem with me personally as i have always treated her as my own child, but her mother would tell her i didnt really love her or that i didnt take care of her, told her she wasnt supposed to "like" me etc and it was very confusing for the child bc she lives with me daily and knows i care for her and only sees her mother sporadically but she couldnt fathom her own mother telling lies (such is the trust of a young child). my advice (not legal, just personal) is like the others have stated..make sure there are opportunities for her and dad to spend some alone time and time with dad and brother. do not let the child dictate and control tho.if u are going to be a long term or permanent fixture, she also needs time with all of u together as a family and to see her father and u as a unit who works together. if a child sees any division, they will use that for leverage, especially if the other parent is encouraging this and it puts the dad in the situation of choosing which is hurtful to u, child and him. also, maybe try to do activities with just you and her so she can see you for who u are (in case she is getting a shaded version elsewhere) and that she feels secure knowing it isnt a competition for her dads attention, that u all want a family together and that she can trust you to be a supportive unit in her life..good luck to u all..ive learned thru the years, its harder being a step parent than a blood parent sometimes .
Re: How Will a Child's Discomfort With a Stepparent Affect Visitation
Is this about control or money or both? Note NY is a bit odd in that CS typically runs to 21 not just 18 or HS graduation.
Re: How Will a Child's Discomfort With a Stepparent Affect Visitation
Quote:
Quoting
HRinDEVON
Is this about control or money or both? Note NY is a bit odd in that CS typically runs to 21 not just 18 or HS graduation.
What the heck are YOU talking about? You DO realize that the OP is talking about the 13 year old, right?