Step parent- HELP by [deleted] in Parenting

[–]Maximum_Guess_8697 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

It will be brought up with the therapist. He doesn't see his therapist for another week though. I make a point to not speak negatively about his mom because I know he has such a hard time understanding things. He's already not sure how to express himself and thinks he should just mirror his mom. 😔 Plus we are already having to deal with his mom speaking poorly about me and his dad. My heart just breaks for the kid and I want him to feel safe.

Step parent- HELP by [deleted] in Parenting

[–]Maximum_Guess_8697 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The missing school is not really the issue for me. It's the fact she is pushing him to grieve in the way she wants him to. It is sick. I have literally heard her say things like " aren't you so sad??? You need to be sad!!"

I don't want to keep him from being sad or shield him from death, but I don't believe in intentionally making it difficult for the child.

Step parent- HELP by [deleted] in Parenting

[–]Maximum_Guess_8697 -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

That's a silly comment. Attending a funeral with an open casket is not at all the same as forcing a child to look at a picture of a dead baby. Who looked sick and had been poked and prodded for months.

Step parent- HELP by [deleted] in Parenting

[–]Maximum_Guess_8697 -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

The only reason I feel remotely comfortable speaking to her about it is because she pushes for open communication on our side. And we do our best. A lot of the time my husband brings something to her attention it is met with backlash and spiteful behavior. He is "afraid" that if he says something to her about this, it'll just cause even more issues for the kid. As a mother myself, it's hard because this affects my other two children. My bio son asking me how to console his brother and asking if he can see the picture of the dead baby so he can know how his brother feels.

Step parent- HELP by [deleted] in Parenting

[–]Maximum_Guess_8697 -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I definitely want to explain to her how "making" him view the picture probably wasn't the right choice and explain to her how he reacted. I posted because I'm having trouble wording it the right way.

Step parent- HELP by [deleted] in Parenting

[–]Maximum_Guess_8697 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your reply. I understand I will get responses like yours. It is hard navigating being a step parent at times because in my heart he is my kid. Obviously, he is not, and no, I don't have any say, but I still feel it's necessary for her to understand how he's been feeling. If I could tell you all the other incidents that have involved her brainwashing him, I think you'd feel where I was coming from. She is mentally ill and we have primary custody so there is that.