Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
42
Stepmom Asks To Be Paid $100 A Night For When Fiancé’s Son Is At Theirs, Gets A Reality Check
We all want what’s best for our kids and try to make sure they have everything they need to grow up happy and healthy.
But, as many parents will tell you, making that happen often requires more than just good intentions—it also takes money.
This mom knew that all too well, having raised her 5-year-old son mostly on her own, with little support from his father. Recently, though, the dad decided to step up and spend more time with their child. But just as things were improving, his fiancée dropped an unexpected demand: she insisted that the mom pay $200 for the visits.
Needless to say, that didn’t go over well and sparked quite the family drama.
More info: Reddit
RELATED:
Having raised her son mostly on her own, the woman welcomed the idea of his dad spending more time with him
Image credits: MART PRODUCTION / Pexels (not the actual photo)
What she didn’t expect was his fiancée asking her to pay $200 for each visit
Image credits: Gerardo Manzano / Pexels (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Jazzlike_Seaweed466
Image credits: Gustavo Fring / Pexels (not the actual photo)
Experts and parents share tips for positive co-parenting
Raising kids after separating from a partner is no easy task. But if both adults are willing to stay involved, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Experts and co-parents offer plenty of tips on how to make it a more positive experience.
“Co-parents are no longer in a couple but are committed to being a proactive and active parent and part of their children’s lives,” says Dee Holmes, Senior Practice Consultant at Relate. “The child might be with one parent more than the other, but both will be very much active in decision making.”
Of course, this doesn’t mean both parents will always agree. But it’s important to put the child first and stay flexible in your approach. For instance, if conflicts arise over who takes care of the child on a weekend, be open to adjusting plans. “If you dig your heels in and say no, or if you get into an argument about swapping weekends, that can leave your child feeling that no one wants them,” says Holmes.
As obvious as it sounds, make communication a priority. “We prefer talking on the phone rather than over text,” shares Mhairi, who co-parents her two daughters with her ex, Ndaba. “There have been times when we’ve been messaging, and we’ve got into a bit of a dispute. Your tone of voice is very different in text messages. We’ll call and explain what we actually meant, and then everything is fine.”
Both parents also have a responsibility to stay informed about what’s going on in their children’s lives and to keep schedules clear and organized. “The not knowing is what is difficult for children,” says Holmes. “If they are going to be spending their time at both your homes, work with your ex-partner to make sure your child knows where they will be and when.”
If you find it challenging to communicate directly without fighting, it can help to have a neutral third party involved, such as a friend or family member. “Try and be understanding towards each other,” says Ndaba. “You’re not always going to see eye to eye, and at those moments take a step back and give the other person some time.”
On that note, practice kindness—for the sake of both your happiness and your child’s. “I have the girls during the week and Ndaba has them on Sunday, but he helps me out a lot as well if I’m not feeling great or if I need a break,” Mhairi says.
“We’ll always be in each other’s lives because of the girls,” adds Ndaba. “Even though we’re not in a relationship anymore, we can still be friends.”
Commenters agreed the mom was right not to pay and encouraged her to seek child support
Poll Question
Thanks! Check out the results:
Newsletter
Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls
By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.
Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!
What do you think ?
StumblingThroughLife 1 month ago (edited)
Wow! Stepmother from Hell, wanting the OP to PAY for the time his DAD makes an effort to (finally) form a relationship with him. Also, he has hardly worked (from what she's said) - and had ANOTHER child in the meantime? How did that work, financially? OP should definitely claim CS, even if this bitching wasn't occurring. It takes 2 to have a kid, and her son is only 5 years old, and it doesn't get easier over time, financially. In the end, it's a benefit for the child.
BeesEelsAndPups 1 month ago
I think the Step Mom here really just wants the father to disown the child, and she's doing this to hamper his ability to spend time with him. I've seen this before. I have a friend whose mother died soon after he was born. When his father remarried, the step mother demanded that he not bring his then 8 year old child with him, as he was from a prior relationship. So my friend was left homeless at 8 years old. To be clear, I blame the father as much as the step mother, if not more, since his child is his responsibility. For me, that's reason enough to terminate the relationship with the new woman. But so it goes
Load More Replies...
Traveling Lady Railfan 1 month ago
"stepmother" is making ridiculous claims. Biological mom even though she can support her child and she has done so for the last four and a half years, should start collecting child support from biological father now that he is financially able to pay more than just a dribble ($7 a month that she was entitled to earlier hardly seems worth it does it?) Screenshot all evidence of biological father's partners attempts to massacre your credibility/reputation as well as all texts and emails. Bring to social worker / lawyer/judge. Not sure what this will accomplish but, document everything. Biological dad may lose rights to keep son 4 days a month, but that will be because of his partner. She is not providing a safe and loving home for this child if all she sees him as is a cash cow who should earn them $100 a night
StumblingThroughLife 1 month ago (edited)
Wow! Stepmother from Hell, wanting the OP to PAY for the time his DAD makes an effort to (finally) form a relationship with him. Also, he has hardly worked (from what she's said) - and had ANOTHER child in the meantime? How did that work, financially? OP should definitely claim CS, even if this bitching wasn't occurring. It takes 2 to have a kid, and her son is only 5 years old, and it doesn't get easier over time, financially. In the end, it's a benefit for the child.
BeesEelsAndPups 1 month ago
I think the Step Mom here really just wants the father to disown the child, and she's doing this to hamper his ability to spend time with him. I've seen this before. I have a friend whose mother died soon after he was born. When his father remarried, the step mother demanded that he not bring his then 8 year old child with him, as he was from a prior relationship. So my friend was left homeless at 8 years old. To be clear, I blame the father as much as the step mother, if not more, since his child is his responsibility. For me, that's reason enough to terminate the relationship with the new woman. But so it goes
Load More Replies... Traveling Lady Railfan 1 month ago
"stepmother" is making ridiculous claims. Biological mom even though she can support her child and she has done so for the last four and a half years, should start collecting child support from biological father now that he is financially able to pay more than just a dribble ($7 a month that she was entitled to earlier hardly seems worth it does it?) Screenshot all evidence of biological father's partners attempts to massacre your credibility/reputation as well as all texts and emails. Bring to social worker / lawyer/judge. Not sure what this will accomplish but, document everything. Biological dad may lose rights to keep son 4 days a month, but that will be because of his partner. She is not providing a safe and loving home for this child if all she sees him as is a cash cow who should earn them $100 a night
You May Like Vegetarian Mom Fears Family Will Feed Baby Meat Behind Her Back, Seeks Perspective Online Guy Finally Realizes His Dad Wasn’t This “Great Family Sacrificer” Like He Thought, Goes Viral “I Hope They Never Find Out”: 50 Secrets That Parents Swear They’ll Never Tell Their Kids
Gabija Palšytė
Justinas Keturka
Gabija Palšytė
Related on Bored Panda
45
26