Q. "My son's father left us five years ago. Since then, I have remarried to a lovely man. David, my husband, has tried hard to make friends with Nathan, and left all the disciplining to me. Yet, though we have been married three years, my son still refuses to do anything that my husband asks. How do I get him to listen to his step father?"
A. Children often feel at fault when their parents divorce, even though the problems are with the adults. Nathan most likely sees the situation as his dad leaving him, rather than you. If his dad doesn't visit, or is sporadic about it, this will only reinforce Nathan's belief. He feels abandoned, guilty and also angry. His biggest fear is probably that you will leave him too.
Nathan is carrying all this around plus the fact that you married another man. This makes it evident to him that his parents won't be re-uniting. Also another man is taking away the special attention he was getting when you were a single mom. He has a lot on his plate and it makes sense that he will have trouble coping.
Nathan and David may have gotten along will before you were married. He was fun then and no threat since he was just Mum's boyfriend. Now he is an equal in the family and acts like he owns the house and has the same rights as everyone else.
Becoming a parental figure after being a visitor can be problematic. The main thing for you to do is be completely honest and open. Take the time to sit down and talk with him on a regular basis. Sometimes you and Nathan should talk alone, and then Nathan and David should talk. At other times, all three of you should converse. Be sure to invite any other children you may have into these discussions.
Let Nathan know that you are aware of his resentments, and confusion, and anger. Reassure him that David will never take his dad's place. It's perfectly normal for Nathan to love and miss his dad, even though you don't. Just be matter-of-fact about why you divorced and don't drag the kids into any parental battles.
Make it clear, also, that David is here because you love him and want him in the family. This does not mean that you love Nathan any less. Also, for Nathan to like David does not mean that he is being disloyal to Dad.
Finally, you must make it clear to Nathan that David now has parental authority in your family. What David says goes. Don't let Nathan come to you trying to discount any decision David has made. If you happen to disagree with David on some issue, address it in private. It's important that you stand by him in public. Nathan has to see and hear that you and David are of one mind, and that you will always back David fully. - 15784
A. Children often feel at fault when their parents divorce, even though the problems are with the adults. Nathan most likely sees the situation as his dad leaving him, rather than you. If his dad doesn't visit, or is sporadic about it, this will only reinforce Nathan's belief. He feels abandoned, guilty and also angry. His biggest fear is probably that you will leave him too.
Nathan is carrying all this around plus the fact that you married another man. This makes it evident to him that his parents won't be re-uniting. Also another man is taking away the special attention he was getting when you were a single mom. He has a lot on his plate and it makes sense that he will have trouble coping.
Nathan and David may have gotten along will before you were married. He was fun then and no threat since he was just Mum's boyfriend. Now he is an equal in the family and acts like he owns the house and has the same rights as everyone else.
Becoming a parental figure after being a visitor can be problematic. The main thing for you to do is be completely honest and open. Take the time to sit down and talk with him on a regular basis. Sometimes you and Nathan should talk alone, and then Nathan and David should talk. At other times, all three of you should converse. Be sure to invite any other children you may have into these discussions.
Let Nathan know that you are aware of his resentments, and confusion, and anger. Reassure him that David will never take his dad's place. It's perfectly normal for Nathan to love and miss his dad, even though you don't. Just be matter-of-fact about why you divorced and don't drag the kids into any parental battles.
Make it clear, also, that David is here because you love him and want him in the family. This does not mean that you love Nathan any less. Also, for Nathan to like David does not mean that he is being disloyal to Dad.
Finally, you must make it clear to Nathan that David now has parental authority in your family. What David says goes. Don't let Nathan come to you trying to discount any decision David has made. If you happen to disagree with David on some issue, address it in private. It's important that you stand by him in public. Nathan has to see and hear that you and David are of one mind, and that you will always back David fully. - 15784
About the Author:
Behavior Problems can be solved! To discover the secret, visit author Dr. Swanson's Behavior Problems website and take a look at his acclaimed book, The GOOD CHILD Guide.