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View Full Version : A Few Questions......



Skye
12-28-2008, 06:03 PM
I think I just may need some support or validation to know I am doing the right things, or at least trying to!

My ex and I share physical custody of our 13 year old twin girls....eighth graders! When a question comes up concerning a boundary such as how late they can stay at a party, my ex will not discuss the issue with me. He tells them to call me and I have to make the boundary for them. This may be fine if we lived together, but in doing this, it makes me the bad guy! I want to talk things over with my ex, come to a mutual agreement, and have him say, or I say,...."WE (your mother and I) want you home by
9:00", or whatever the boundary is.

Instead, he makes me the heavy, and it makes them resent me! I have tried to speak to him about this, and the importance of having a united front for their best interests, but it falls on deaf ears. Any suggestions?

I am also having trouble knowing what ARE suitable boundaries for eighth graders! They are good kids.....Is going to a 6:30 PM movie, that is over at 8:30 PM, with 4 other girls, then walking through an outdoor mall about 600 feet to an Applebees restraurant, and being picked up at 9:30 PM appropriate in this day and age? It is a safe community, but they would not have adult supervision.

They wanted to be picked up at 10 PM. I told them 9:30, take it or leave it, and this would be a once in a while thing, not a regular Friday night occurance. Am I too lenient, or too strict?

Also.......My one twin in very into ballet....dances 7 hours of lessons a week....wants a professional career in it. My other twin, very bright and social has not involved herself in anything that takes up much of her time and I do not like that her friends are her entire world. I have told her she has until Jan. 1 to pick something,..... anything, to get involved in, whether it is school sponsored, or something like skating, tennis or voice lessons, and if she does not choose something, I will choose it for her! This has been told to her for the last 4 months! Is this okay to do?? I feel she needs to be busy and involved with something besides her friends and IMing people on the computer!

Sorry I have 3 issues I would love suggestions and responses for! Thanks!

TommyMommy
01-17-2009, 11:44 PM
It sounds like your ex IS trying to make you the heavy. I have an ex like this, too. Only he will act like he's agreeing with my boundaries for our DD and then undermine me when I discipline her. Leopards don't change their spots.

Personally, and I didn't do this -but should have, I would set the boundaries for your home and leave the parenting of his home up to him. Unfortunately, parallel parenting isn't as good as co-parenting, but you can't co-parent if the other parent won't work with you.

I found out my kiddo had all kinds of freedom at her dad's. Including being allowed to view rated R movies at age 13. When I took her cell phone away for misuse, he got her a new one (only for his house, though). Same with the computer. She's now left my home and doesn't speak to me and we are in the middle of a custody case.

I wish I could tell you something more positive, but some of these people don't really care about the kids. All they care about is using the kids to get back at you.

I would have no problem with the scenario you posted about the movie and a meal. Either time would have been okay with me, if they are responsible teens and it is an occasional treat.

Skye
03-03-2009, 09:45 PM
Thanks, TommyMommy for your response and thoughts. My girls' dad also gives them more freedom....it takes more time and energy to set boundaries, and to deal with the fallout when they don't like what you ask of them! I hope your custody dispute goes well for you.

Skye
03-03-2009, 09:56 PM
TommyMommy......I just read your post about your daughter and your ex and his family. What would happen if you called someone in your ex's family...like his sister, or sister in law, someone you had a decent relationship with, and told them straight out, the truth?

I know some people disagree with this, but if these people are calling and putting doubts in your children's heads, and they really have no clue as to the truth, then they really need to be told the truth. They may just become your allies or at least stop the negative phone calls if nothing else.