I see a difference between deciding for oneself to quit doing something one feels unappreciated for and letting the chips fall where they may vs. actively misleading the honoree in question into thinking something is going to happen which supposedly has no prior precedent. In the former case, the honoree's ensuing hurt can be traced to everybody dropping the ball and can reveal a pattern of "if I [SM] don't plan anything, nothing gets done b/c SK's don't do anything on their own". In the latter case, the honoree's ensuing hurt can be traced to a deception in which his hopes are deliberately and artificially raised so that when they are crushed, the pain is even worse. The first scenario is an attempt to reveal an existing problem, the second scenario is an attempt to create and/or exacerbate a problem.

So, still, my question would be who told Dad the SK's were coming to the lakehouse and artificially inflated his expectations? Did the SK's tell him they were coming and then stand him up? Or did SM say something to him to indicate some sort of firsthand knowledge that they would or might come?

Even though either way I think direct honest communication is superior to game-playing, but I suppose if honest communication has been attempted to no avail, then that first option of letting the chips fall where they may is the necessary next step (but again, only AFTER honest communication about the specific problem has failed). But then the question has to be "what is the goal of the game?" If the goal really is to prevent Dad from being hurt on Father's Day ---if it is really ABOUT DAD--- then an action on anyone's part (SM or SKs) to deceive Dad into expecting something that is not really planned and won't really happen is diametrically opposed to the stated goal.

Serenity, I think there is also history with Fleurs in the times she did not allow her skids to visit over the summer. We've all discussed how child free times can be good -- but there are consequences -- I think the kids likely remember the times when Fleurs nixed what were already limited visits.

"I think the kids likely remember the times when Fleurs nixed what were already limited visits."

That's true. I think people in general tend to remember bad things over good... it usually has more of an impact on our memories. Kids are no different. But, it's hard to gauge someone else's perception. Who has a responsibility to see their children? A parent. If a step parent or SO discourages contact between a parent/child, yes the SP or SO is out of line, but ultimately.. it is the parent that allows it that is to blame. Does a child blame a SP/SO because they know for a fact that the SP/SO prevented the parent from having more contact or is the SP/SO just a scapegoat because they don't want to take it out on or be angry at the parent, who is really the person responsible for maintaining the relationship?

I say this because in my situation, SD takes it out on me because her mom moved away and doesn't see her much. She's told me she takes it out on me but doesn't really mean it. I know she doesn't want to get angry at her mom and risk her mom not seeing her at all. It's much easier to get angry at me and blame me when her parents don't do what she thinks they should. She writes me letters and makes me cards to tell me she loves me and then... now that her mom has decided to take DH to court for custody (because DCSS is taking her to court for arrears), BM (who won't take the time to come get her own daughter for her weekly visits) took a day off work to come take SD to talk to the mediator. She insisted on being the one to bring SD... surprise! Surprise! SD goes in and tells the mediator how much she hates me and how much I hate her and how horrible it is to live in our house and everything, I mean everything she said about us was negative... so much so, the mediator told DH she couldn't believe everything about our home was negative. So, does SD secretly hate me and is only nice to me and makes me cards/letters saying she loves me because she depends on me to take care of her... or does she only say she hates me because it's what her mom wanted her to say? I guess the only person that knows how SD really feels is SD. She can't tell her mom she likes me (if she does) or her mom will be angry/hurt. I'm not sure she 'truly/honestly' likes me because she might just be saying it because she feels she HAS to. So, I am with the camp that has NO expectations from the kids... if she forgets or doesn't care to honor her dad on Father's Day or his birthday or any other time, that's between her and him. It's not anyone's job to facilitate a relationship between two other people... it's the two other people's job and if they want a relationship, they will have to form it on their own. If grown step kids do not plan a celebration for their dad on Father's day, then I'd tell him "lets go to a movie... or dinner" and not make a big deal about it. It's his relationship with his kids and even if he's a great father, there's nothing you can do about what someone else does or doesn't do... if anything, the father needs to decide if he will tolerate being treated poorly by his kids.

Letting go is liberating. For those that know my situations history knows that BM went to the school behind DH's back to set up a lunch account... to wield her 'power' as BM. Well, DH didn't fight it.. we know that's what she wanted, but instead he said fine, buy her hot lunch. Well, SD came home a couple of days ago and with an attitude, told me that she was 'starving' because she had no money in her lunch account and the school stopped letting kids charge since there's only a couple of weeks left of school. She said it like it was MY fault! So, I offered her the phone to call her mom so she can tell her mom how 'starving' she was because I don't have access to the lunch account to know if she has money in it and I have no way to know she wouldn't get lunch so I could not make a lunch for her. As soon as I said that, her attitude changed and she didn't want to call her mom to complain about 'starving'. It felt kinda good to finally be able to say... it's not my problem... and that's my point, if kids don't call dad on Father's Day.. it's not my problem. If I want to honor him because he's a great guy/dad and get him a card from me.. not his kids, then that's what a loving wife does. It surprises me for someone to say "he's not MY father or the father of my kids, so I don't do anything for him.." but then complain that his kids don't either or that they expect her to plan it all. Don't do it for them, do it for you and don't have any expectations because that only leads to disappointment.

I'm done with this Board because of one ignorant person! KKNY!

I've had with her bringing up stuff about me and my step children that are totally false!!!!

Ima, I think everyone is different. My mom, who is great, and has not had the easist life, remembers the good things. Maybe that is why sh is so happy. But I agree, people have selective memories. It doesnt necesarrily mean they're lying. It could mean they remember what they want. I suspect that your SD has an idealized vision of what a mom should be -- and tries to remember the things that support that vision and forget others.

From fleuers

Posted by fleurs_gardener (My Page) on Thu, Oct 18, 07 at 16:08

kkny,
The children did live mostly with the ex-wife and we had them EOW, xmas holidays, etc.

For the first 10 years of our relationship, DH and i never had one single holiday together as a couple and alone. We had the children every summer when DH had only two weeks off. It was written in the divorce papers that he had to have the children for 2 weeks each summer and since he only had 2 weeks holidays, we spent them with his children all the time until the 10th year, is said enough is enough. We will have one week with the children and one week by ouselves. Ex-wife agreed and so did DH. The one week that we took off to be with ourselves was ruined because the step son called everyday saying : dad, did you forget us. I had 10 phone calls of him. Dh asked the ex-wife what the problems was. She said she had forgotten to tell their son about the arrangement. Ya right!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No, i don't have children of my own and i don't see the reason for this question. I don't believe you have to give birth to a child to love a child, to care for a child or to understand a child.

Keep posting.

Oh Fleur, dont quit this board because of one person.... We all have our opinions here and others have their own perception regardless if the truth is shoved down their throats..lol.
And there is nothing wrong in choosing time to spend with anyone and having private time. I'm a true believer in personal time and space. You cannot have a child whether its your own or someone elses stuck to your hip for absolutely everything! I take time off from my own husband and family and no one will ever make me feel guilty for that!
And fleur if you chose not to see a specific person....lets say your sk...its yoru right. And there is nothing wrong with that.
Soem people on this board tend to think Stepkids should be treated with red carpets and special treatment above others. WTF?? They're human as anyone and will be treated as such.
As for father day, i think the best approach like everyone here is doing is to do something special for yoru SO and if the kids want to do something its in their court. THey are old enough to think and use their brains.
2 years ago my skids did nothign for their dad...i made sure i overcompensated because of that. Last year they got him a gift and acknoweledged him. Why? because they realized what they did was wrong...not because i said somehting. I said nothing. That is their business...but i made sure my dH had the time of his life and they heard about it. And realized its not nice to sh*T on people.
Kids need to learn by example. They need to know what is right and wrong...you cannot force them in the end. Its their choice as well.

Organic, of course, a SM can cut down on already limited visits by kids. But then to be surprised when they dont visit on Father's Day as adults is strange. Fleurs had plenty of time -- EOW other than vacations to be with Dad. It just wasnt enought for her.

Gerina, thanks for your input. I totally agree with your comments, and they help validate my feelings. I don't think that the goal of Father's Day should be for me to do all that I can to avoid my DH from getting hurt by his kids. That should be their role. My husband is not stupid, if I plan something and invite them to attend, he can see who did the work, etc. His "take away" from the day will be that his wife planned something nice in his honor. I can do that any day, and I often do plan nice things for him.

There are only 3 people on this planet who can call him Dad, and those 3 adults are the ones who can plan a meaningful event for Father's Day. If I plan something, he will see it as me trying to rescue his kids once again, (that won't honor him). The only way that his kids can honor him, is for them to actually do something for him. Letting their Dad's wife plan something, and then show up and sign their name to a card, and let Dad's wife plan food, pay for food, and wait on them, is not honoring to Dad.

Unless a lightning bolt strikes, and I get some revelation, my plans for Father's Day are to take my DH out to eat alone. My oldest son is on deployment with the Marines overseas, my daughter has already gotten my DH a Father's Day gift, and she will probably give it to him early (she will be visiting next weekend), and my youngest son will be in Germany on Father's Day. That leaves his 3 kids open for planning something. I have NO intention to phone them to remind them, or to ask them to help me plan somehthing for him. They are COMPLETELY on their own. I sincerely hope they come through, but it has to be from them, not me.

"Organic, of course, a SM can cut down on already limited visits by kids."

oh stop with such BS comments kkny against SM's. WE do not cut time off, if hubby dear wants to see his kids, he's got a mouth , hands, a brain and he's an adult and can say to his new wife ' you have me all the other times, their time is limited and i wont want to shave that time off , you;ll have to accomadate during those slotted times'
Get real! Its not SM who cut the time off of skids, ITS THE PARENT WHO DECIDES THAT IN THE END. regardless of how much prodding and pushing some sm do.
There are sm out there who are selfish and are rotten. But from what i've seen in this forum are caring woman who want to blend and make things work. Only to be spat on by the skids due to BM brainwashing and Bm accusing sm as being the other woman!
I've seen good family units , but very few and far between when you have one parent or both not willing to work together.
Now you say fleur would cut timeoff of eow???? where? if she encouraged her kids to keep in touch with an ex she has no desire to see why would she not let sk see her hubby? No sense!
What she is stating , is that they do not respect dad and do not do anything for him on father's day...i'm sure there is alot of history behind it and i'm sure BM is not innocent in that respect.
I myself made sure i'ld work eow for the most part of the day to give more time for my hubby with his kids......later on the kids demanding why i wasn't spending time with them ..so i changed my schedual. My skids do not hate me...we've had bumps in the road but i would never do things to keep my dh away from his kids. In fact i encourage it. Unfortunately in my case, my dh stays his distance because of his ex....is it right..no...but the kids understand and they even phone when they are out of reach of their moms ears or person... so it says alot eh?

I guess I'm confused Organic, you say SM may prod and push, but decision is Dads, but then you also say parents should make decisions as a team, and spouse comes before kids.

I find it ironic because if I encourage more time with SD... like wanting to keep her more time, BM accuses me of trying to take her away like I am 'stealing' her daughter from her. But, if BM wants SD to be with us on her time because she had plans and DH said he can't because we had plans too, now he is the worse father and it's all because of me... he'd rather spend time with me than his daughter. (and that only happened ONE time when we had plans to go on a cruise that he said no to taking his daughter) It's a no win situation with some BM's.

Parents SHOULD make the decision as a team... but if a SM is prodding & pushing to cut down time with kids and dad does not stand up for his kids, it's HIS fault. It's HIS fault for being with someone that would prod and push to interfere with his time with his kids. When a parent gets married, they have to consider how the new partner feels about and treats their existing children. There are bound to be problems or issues from time to time in step families, but the deciding factor should be the step parent's willingness or unwillingness to deal with their step children. It should be discussed BEFORE marriage happens.

mom23step23 your SKs are my least favorite on this forum. I would not do anything for the father's day as it is their job, they are adults and need no reminders. especially since they are rather nasty individuals in my perception. I would maybe do something from me such as buy a gift or take him out but i would not call the kids and organize outings. not your job.

as about calling on Valentine's day LOL my SO has a cousin, single female, who consisentely calls him on Valentine Day in the evening. this year she called around 7PM as we were driving to a restaurant for a romantic evening. when he told her that we are on our way to a restaurant, she continued talking and talked the entire hour as we drove (we wanted a special place). He feels bad for her as she has been single her entire life, not even dating, so he feels obligated at least keep with her on the phone on Valentine day. Bizzare. when i didn't date anyone i didn't call my married cousin on a Valentine day and kept her on the phone for an hour. LOL

I call my mom and send her a card on Valentines Day as it was her mothers Bday.

I think that having only two weeks summer vacation with dad and having to cut it on one week because of SM was a very very wrong decision and selfish on dad's and SM's part.

I understand wiht 50/50 arrangement it could be OK but
wiht EOW arrangement two weeks in summer is not much at all, in fact it is rather short. kids lived wiht mom but dad thought two weeks is too long? why was it OK for mom to have kids full time but not OK for dad to see them for two weeks? he already saw very little fo them yet SM thought it was too much?

under these circumstances it is possible children still remember it, want very limited contact with their father and SM. it explains their attitude toward father's day. If it is SM's right to cut down children's visits then it is certainly within their rights do nothing for their father.

"I think that having only two weeks summer vacation with dad and having to cut it on one week because of SM was a very very wrong decision and selfish on dad's and SM's part."

I am SO sick of kkny throwing it up at fleurs... and all the hoopla that is created from it~ GET OVER IT! (and yes, I know FD wrote the quote above but it was kkny that keeps bringing this up) The reason I quote FD is because she (FD) may think it's selfish or wrong... but the only opinion that matters is the kids. My parents divorced and I lived with my mom. I didn't go to dad's every other weekend... no weeks during summer... there was NO set schedule. My dad's policy was 'come see me when you want, call me & I'll send you a ticket.' and I did. I would ride the bus/train or he'd come get me and I did not hate him for not seeing me two weeks in summer. My relationship with my dad was what it was. FD's DD has a father that saw her on a non traditional arrangement too... so I don't get why it would be wrong and selfish unless she's going to say it was wrong and selfish of her ex to not take her DD two weeks every summer.

It's only wrong and selfish if the child feels that way... otherwise, who are we to judge?

We dont know if the kids resented it or not. People can have non-standard visition, but when SM nags to get it reduced, she shouldnt be surprised when the kids dont do anyting for Fathers DAy.

imamommy when DD and X lived closer to each other their arrangement was very typical and not unusual, DD was wiht me during the week and on the weekends with dad, and in summer two weeks wiht me and two weeks wiht him and then again same pattern until time back to school.

when DD lived geographically further from her dad she lived with him the entire summer, as soon as summer break started until it was time to go to school. X wanted her around any time he could get. Whenever she was out of school. if one doesn't see their children every day wouldn't they want to be with them every time they could get? summer or winter doesn't matter.

two weeks in summer is nothing, and limiting it to one week...why wouldn't parents want to be with their children the most they can get? it is beyond me. and yes if all of a sudden X decided two weeks is too long (he would consider two weeks is too short) I would be shocked and considered it selfish and wouldn't know how to bring it to DD. He would have to say it to her hismelf. I am shocked Fleur's DH wanted BM to bring it to the children. It was his job to tell the kids they aren't welcome for 2 weeks anymore.

the fact that fleur's DH was willing to limit his time says a lot about him. and possibly that's why kids ignore him on father's day. it wasn't very fatherly of him when they were minors. let's face it, i doubt your DH would limit SD's time wiht him to one week to please you.

as an adult DD is very close to her father, fleur's SKs are not, it says a lot.

of course child feels this way. fleur's SKs called and asked dad why isn't he getting them. he called every day and fleurs didn't like it. isn't it normal to get a daily phone call from a child who clearly misses his dad? daily phone call bothered her? from a minor child? it was dad's job to tell them, he didn't. guess he knew he will hurt them by saying not to come over.

yes it is about the kids. maybe you didn't miss to see your dad more often, or going on vacation with him or live with him but others do miss their fathers/mothers. I understand fleur has no children and might not understand but I am surprised you have such a take on this.

frankly I don't care what fleurs did, i just sense that kdis do not have much attachement to their father and SM so why is she surprised they don't call on father's day or that she didn't get a corsage on children's wedding? this story is a typical case of a man choosing a woman over his minor children. But actions have consequences.

Ima, many times here when a SM complains about the stepchildren we dont know much about the history. Fleurs complains about the stepchildren being selfish and not celebrating fathers day, and we DO know the history. It is relevant. And it is not pretty.

Why is it that some people only critize stepchildren or mothers for being selfish and not understanding there are consequences to actions?

DH and I went shopping last week to get some stuff for the house, and I just made some mental notes of anything he commented on, touched,etc. I'm going to get him a '#1 Dad' tshirt/hat combo from the kids, and a clock that looks like a car brake for his office.

Plus breakfast in bed and a day off to do whatever he wants.

Here is a link that might be useful: father's day gift ideas

kkny,

I have called both of my skids, SS29 and SD35 about Father's Day next week. Also, e-mailed and text messaged. I've asked them what they have in mind. Didn't hear back from them. Usually, I'm telling them my ideas, a barbecue, restaurant, something I'm putting togeter. Not this year. I've decided to only make sure my DS6 and I provide small gifts and cards. Since DHs other kids are adults, they can handle this ONCE A YEAR holiday.

I had to call SD35 AGAIN this morning to ask if she had "any thoughts" about Father's Day next week. She said she had to think about it and let me know. I told her that whatever she plans will be fine. She was silent for a minute because she is used to me picking up their slack. Not this year.

You talk about the "consequences" stepmoms have to face. Father's Day is for THE FATHERS. These people are punishing their fathers for divorcing their mothers. Period. Like most Stepmoms, I want harmony and a blended family Like many stepmoms, my stepkids have different ideas. They accept the work, investment, resources and energy from me but put out very little because they think someone owes them something. Well, maybe someone does but it's not me.

This year, if DH's adult kids don't come through, well, my DS6 will give him a card and a gift and DH will have a chance to see his other children a little more clearly. Without me, or stepmoms in general, doing the work these skids and their mothers need to do themselves.

Lamom, I complained about a specific SM, fleuers, who demanded that her dh husband reduce the already very limited time his children could spend with them. If you had read the history you would see this. But in any event, when a family breaksdown, there are consdequences.

KKNY - YOU MAKE ME SICK!

Fleurs, I think I remember the post, you just changed a week vacation, no big deal in the scheme of things..I believe sks can showered with time , attention, money and it isnt going to do dear old dad a bit of good if mom is going to harp on what a b***8rd he is, and what they are NOT getting..Never enough....

In her own words, she took away a week, this from a SM married to a dad who had the kids eow and two weeks in the summer. You really can not expect kids to bond when dad doesnt have much contact. What makes you assume mom complained -- seems to me that kids can draw their own conclusions.

I was referring to my MOM situation, not Fleurs..Kids bond to dad ,lets say if he chooses to join the military and by his choice has to be deployed for 12 or 18 months...A week is not going to stop kids from bonding with dad, by any means....

If dad is deployed, his absence from his family is unavoidable. Children understand intent and reasons. If you think a SM wining and demanding to cut out a substantial part of visitation is "no big deal" I have to disagree with you -- and unless one is part of the everything a SM does is right, can not understand.

Children understand intent and reasons..Well, for arguements sake, cannot they not understand after say age 12 or so, Dad is working so hard to pay for your education and toys, he needs a week adult time vacation with his wife?

Dotz -- he and his wife get EOW the rest of the year alone. That is way more than most married couples get alone. Plenty of time for adults to be alone. Unless the calendar works awful funny, there are a few 3 day weekends in there too.

SD is 10. Just the other day, SD was defending her mom's right to go out with BF during the weekends mom has with SD (during the school year).

Specifically, BM promised to spend the weekend of her 9th birthday doing something for her, but instead went out with her BF. At the time, SD came home bawling her eyes out over it but now she's okay with it, saying mom needs time to go hang out with adults... I guess kids do make up their own minds, don't they? (guess SD hasn't figured out that BM is kid free 5 days a week during the school year)

Ima, I have never defended this behaivor on the part of your skids mom, but if no one but me criticizes when a SM freezes the kids out -- it seems hypocritical.

I think we all know your SD is making excuses, and fantasizes re the perfect family. And I do feel sorry for her. But that doesnt make what her mom or anyone else does right.

My point is that nobody knows for sure that fleurs stepkids were even bothered by missing a week with dad. IF mom makes a big deal about it and makes kids feel they are losing out or missing out on something, they will probably feel slighted.

When a small child falls down, they might start to cry. If the parent casually picks them up and goes about their business, not making a big deal about it, the kid forgets they fell down... unless they really hurt themselves of course. But, if a parent picks up the child and makes a big deal over the little bump, they are actually ENCOURAGING the child to fuss over something they might forget in a minute. It's all about perception and the way people are taught to look at the world. Optimistically or pessimistically?

I only saw my dad a few times a year after the divorce, I think Finedreams' DD only saw her father under non traditional schedule, kkny's DD sees her dad less than EOW, but I think it's still possible to have a good relationship between a parent & child if they are allowed to define their own relationship and not under the expectations of the other parent. For years, I had a strained relationship with my dad because my mom was constantly telling me how horrible he was, how he wouldn't pay for anything, how he left us... (and come to find out he supported her and us... she didn't work but as a kid, I never thought about THAT. Dad paid for EVERYTHING. and yes, he left but he left because she had a boyfriend and she took my dad's paycheck to loan to her loser boyfriend... she never told me 'bout THAT!)

SD fantasizes about what she wants her life with her mom to be like because her mom has made promises and disappointed her repeatedly. If her mom had not made promises and broken them, SD may not feel the way she does, unless DH or I made her feel her mom doesn't spend enough time with her. DH and I have tried very hard to never make her feel we think her mom is not spending enough time with her, but we do get frustrated when SD gets let down and cries to us. So, we may be guilty if she can feel when we are frustrated with what BM is doing. In some situations, it's easy to see how no matter how hard you try to keep things under wraps, kids are going to be affected and sense their parents feelings.

As to freezing kids out? I wonder why SD and her sister are staying with grandma over summer, 2 hours from BM's home. BM is working 25 hours a week and she works a couple of blocks from her house (walking distance) and SD is 10, her sister is 13 & going into high school so it would not be outrageous for them to stay home alone two blocks away from BM's work during the day. BM's BF also has retired parents that live in town and could watch the girls, unless there is a reason they won't. Could it be BF doesn't want BM's kids all summer? Is HE freezing her kids out? Maybe, but it's really BM that is allowing her kids to spend the summer with grandma and therefore it is BM that is 'freezing her kids out' and she is to blame, even if her BF said he doesn't want the kids there. She could easily say, those are my kid and they are going to come stay with me for summer... period. It may also be BM's choice but either way, it's BM's responsibility to her kids. Also, it makes me wonder what BF thinks of BM going after full custody of SD?

But, as long as a parent allows a BF/GF or new spouse to reduce, limit, or eliminate time between them and their child, it is the parent that is freezing their own child out if they side with or go along with someone that is trying to cut off that relationship. They are choosing the BF/GF or spouse over time with their children. (children will naturally be angry with or blame the other person before they blame their parent, who wants to believe a parent doesn't want to see them?)

Ima, fleurs said that SHE was the one who demanded the visitation be reduced. I am not saying there not a lot of selfish or useless people out there -- but please stop giving SMs a free ride.

Ima, well thought out analogy with the crying child picked up and fussed over or not..Exactly...BM should not be the arbitrator of child father visits,telling sks he doesnt care about you...My DH has missed visits recuperating from surgeries, trips, etc..SS has missed visits for parties , friends wanting to do things, DH and SS are fine with it...BM has a visitation log that she brings to court to prove what a junk father he is because he missed a weekend here and there..They are FINE...She wants to prove something....Its a little nit picky to say if you miss a week or weekend, its traumatic, or SMs fault...I m not involved in visitation, thats between them....

Dotz, fleuer's situation, which may or may not be uncommon, is where dad has limited visitation, and SM says too much. But there's a lot of pussyfutting here -- oh well thats the same as dad being deployed, dad being sick. Well wake up -- its not. But you guys just can bring yourselves to say any SM has made bad choices.

And in Fleur's situation, she now wonders why the stepkids dont celebrate Fathers Day much -- well wake up and smell the roses --

KKNY, Deployed or sick was used as an example when you said no wonder kids dont bond or call day after missing a week visit...I cant say Fleurs was wrong in this case, because I think a weeks vacation in years was OK...If a SM discouraged her DH from continually missing visits, I would say she was wrong and selfish, OK?

So you think for an EOW and two weeks in the summer dad to cut down to one week is just fine? I dont. Its like dad had the bare minimum to begin with.

Go back and read her posts. After she demanded that dad cut down visits, then she is mad that mom wouldnt break the news to the kids. And the kids kept calling -- and that also is moms fault.

When you guys support even selfish SMs -- you show your true colors.

I agree with KKNY. I know how upset my stepdaughters are when their mom cancels their limited visitation. I'm a little surprised that other full-time custodial stepmoms have not agreed... Actually, I am unable to understand how an EOW stepmom could NOT see how detrimental this particular matter would/could be for a child...

LP, thank you. It isn't right when your SDs mom does it, it isnt rigth when others do it. When a bio parent has limited visitation, he or she owes to the kids to use the allotted time. Absence severe illness, miliatry duty, both of which can and should result in the parent trying to get make up time, the bio parent should try to avoide reductions in already limited visitation time. Unfortuantely no one can make a parent do that.

"When a bio parent has limited visitation, he or she owes to the kids to use the allotted time."

Very true kkny. As a custodial SM, I am in agreement with this. That is why I blame the NCP if the NCP allows a BF or GF or new spouse to talk them into cutting time down. It does not make it the fault of the BF, GF or new spouse that suggests it.. or even demands it... it is still the choice of the bio parent to say "Sure, I will give up half my vacation to make you happy.. anything YOU want!" or "Hell no, those are my kids and I don't get to see them enough as it is. YOU are not going to interfere with that!"

It is the parent's fault if they make a choice that hurts THEIR kids... nobody else. (unless a SM ties up dad and he can't go get his kids)

IMO, its still the HUBBY who makes the final choice. Anyone, anyone even his own sister can tell him off and convince him not to pick up his kids. but in the end its his choice. No one elses. So it doesn't matter what a SM or a BM wants. Its the decision of that person.
And let me bring another perspective to this arguement. You all are ticked off when a weekend is missed from an already constricted schedual eh..???? WELL WHAT HAPPENS WHEN BM MAKES PLANS ON DADS' WEEKENDS OR CONVINCES THE KIDS ITS NOT A GOOD PLACE TO GO??? Then WHAT? SHE MAKES DAD LOOK LIKE A PUTZ FOR THE LOST WEEKENDS.
Its happening now with us. Damned if you do take them, and damned if youdont.
Well guess what, i'm keeping a log for the last 2 years now of all the weekends lost with his kids and the reasons behind it. When on misses and why. Whether its a school activities, grandma's bday, cousins bdya party, just not up to it, wants to be with mom that weekend...ALL OF IT!. This way, when bm accuses my dh of it , i will have a record with dates and who showed up and who didn't so she doesn't try any funny business.
and even the kdis have lashed out at my husband saying, oh your msising alot of weekends. He said yah, and who';s fault is that? YOURS NOT MINE! you want ot be with your friends, and go party and i call you ever week to know if you are coming...so dont play the tag game on me and try to guilt me. YOU ARE DITCHING ME. Be responsible , accept it and stop blaming others for you actions!
And this is what i would say about this situation. STOP BLAMING SM'S FOR DADS DECISIONS. She has an imput but not the ultimate say.
I think the mentality of blaming sm all the time comes for the same mentality that kids have the final say in these divorce situation and i cannot stress the fact even more that kids have absolutely no say and power lies between the adults. Between mom and dad. And in the end , a SM can b****ch all she wants, if dad says otherwise, its otherwise.
And to add, if dad wants to skip one weekend, its also his right. He can make arrangments to picck them up another time for longer.

I agree Dad shouldnt do , nor should a CP not try to accomodate visits -- but at least now your conceeding that some SMs mgiht be a "b***ch"

Ima I think your SD knows that it is wrong of mom to go out wiht BF alone on the weekends when she supposed to be with SD, she knows and is upset about it. She says it otherwise to make herself feel better, to make her BM look better etc

And we see the consequences of all this stress, she lies all the time and overall is unhappy child.

It doesn't matter what fleur's kids said or did, what is important is what they felt. Although we cannot say for sure what they felt then, it is pretty easy to see how it effected them, we can judge by their adult behavior towards their father and SM. I don't know why fleurs and her DH are surprised SKs want very little to do wiht dad and SM. What did they expect?

finedreams,

You don't know what you are talking about!

First of all, mytwo step-children who did not spend two weeks with us when they were 8 and 10 years old have never, ever said a single word to their father or I about that incident! Not one single word and they have never, ever complained to their mother about it. Otherwise we would have know about it! It has never, ever affected them!

Secondly, as far as their adult behavior towards their father and I is concerned, there is absolutely nothing wront with it. As a matter of fact, my step-daughter gave me a heart pendant as a necklace for Mother's Day and on it she had engraved the following words : To my Mother in my heart! My other step-daughter called last night and talked to her father on the phone for at least one hour. She called me on Mother's Day to say I love you! My step-son and his father get along great and my step-son is having a tatou done on his leg that will remind him of me!

How do you like them bananas!

You and KKNY don't know what you are talking about. You think you are experts on step-parenting! Why don't you both go away from this board instead of trying to pretend you are experts in the field!

Fleurs, YOU said the kid(s) kept calling on the week given up and YOU were annoyed with the calls. I dont make up these things.

From above -- "Despite this, last year, for a little while, I did think of inviting his three adult children with the two grand-daughters up to the lake for Father's Day weekend. Then, I thought more about it and I decided not to do that because once again, I would be the only one with DH stuck having to feed them all weekend and cleaning up afterwards.I told myself they are adults and they know what is the right thing to do.I told myself I would just wait and see if his three adult children would call and plan something for him. They never did. We're at the lake on Father,s Day and all day DH kept checking if his children were arriving. He would not even leave the premises for fear of missing them if they did come. I felt really, really sorry for him but I was convinced that it was their responsiblity to do something for their father and that it wasn't up to me to do it! In all the years I have been with DH, never has one of his children come over to visit him on Father's day. His youngest daughter will call him to wish him happy Father's day, but the oldest one hasn't always called and his son never does"

Some of yoru stepchildren may be great kids -- good for them. To many people here, if the stepchildren are terrible it is on them or the mom. If their great, my god -- it is becuase of the EOW SM. Too funny.

fleurs if people do not speak of something it doesn't mean it doesn't effect them. and actions speak louder than words.

First you said that they do not acknowledge him on the father's day, they NEVER come visit and mistreated you at the wedding etc now all of a sudden everything is great.

"In all the years I have been with DH, never has one of his children come over to visit him on Father's day" We didn't make it up. Your words.

Hi i have three adult children and my husband has 4 adult children. l think that it should never be expected that the step mother is to do everything for the adult kids for fathers day. its called fathers day, its self explainitory. i have had the big bbqs for my husband for fathers day and invited all the kids just to be treated poorly and unapprieciated and theres always one or two of his kids that dont show up at all no phone call nothing. so my husband and i decided together that we would plan fathers day together just him and i and we always leave things open if his kids wanted to do something for him but they never do. ironically my daughter does invite us for bqq at her house every year for fathers day. just a little note in case anyone is wondering. all of our kids were adluts when we married. if my husband ever asked me to plan something with his kids for fathers day again i would do it in a heartbeat ❤️