A dad has been left stumped as his girlfriend 'refuses' to look after his other children. The parent revealed that his partner has no interest in his three kids from a previous marriage.
The father took to social media to share his conundrum regarding his girlfriend's coldness towards his children, reports MyLondon. Posting on Mumsnet, he revealed she never offers to look after any of them or help them to get ready.
The dad said: "I live with my girlfriend and have done since the first lockdown and have 3 kids (17, 14, 8) from a previous marriage who I have half of the time. Kids are happy, no drama with the ex or anything and everything broadly runs smoothly (as smoothly as it can with 3 kids!).
"Girlfriend has a son who is 22 and in theory stays with us 2 nights a week but is rarely here which is fairly standard with social life etc so no issues. My challenge is my girlfriend doesn't really engage with my children, she's like another adult in the house but doesn't take much of an interest in them or really support with anything that may mean taking a little responsibility for them.
"Not [one] a single time in nearly 3 years has she offered to look after one of them if I need to do something, helped me get them ready if we're going somewhere or even had any form of parenting type engagement with them."
The dad also revealed she often refuses to even join him and the kids for a family film night. He says she is uninterested unless it's a film she was specifically keen to watch.
The father added: "So while my relationship with her is great when it's just us two, and the kids get on fine with her, am I being unreasonable to want or expect more?
"I don't want her to replace the kids mum, they have one - but I sit there at various events with kids who's stepparents are present and involved and sometimes wonder if I'm going to have to spend the rest of my life choosing between my children or girlfriend or balancing them both precariously to make sure I can meet everyone's needs - and occasionally just hiding away for some 'me' time!
"For context we've had a couple of arguments where I've asked for more support during really busy times or when things clash which wasn't given and she said she will in future, but it's never materialised."
The father's parenting problems were quick to stir up conversation on social media, with people keen to give their thoughts. Many people felt sorry for the dad's children to be stuck in the middle of the awkward situation.
One person said: "She is making it crystal clear that she is in a relationship with you only and that is her right. However I feel for your children having someone so utterly disinterested in them, living with their father, so there for all contact time.
"I think you shouldn't be living with her, but see her when you don't have your children. She doesn't add anything to their lives.
"She has raised her son, she has zero interest in parenting your children or being involved at all." However, others were less critical of the girlfriend though and could see her side of things."
Another user stated: "I’ll be honest. I’d be the same if I were her.
"When I first met my ex I was very involved and he started to take the p**s. So I made a conscious decision that I wasn’t going to be taken advantage of.
"She’s raised her own child, going back to taking care of young children again must feel like a bit of a step back. While living together it would be ideal if she were more involved, she clearly doesn’t want to be, so I think you have to treat it as if you’re the only parent in the house (as you are) and act accordingly."
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