Pair struggles to remain in lives of grandchildren
Dear Annie: I am an outlaw! That is to say, I am the stepmother and stepgrandmother to my husband’s children and grandchildren. I’ve been in this position for more than 15 years. For a long time, I was expected by my husband to say nothing even remotely negative about one of his daughters-in-law, “Beth,” and his son “Bill”. I know that his family is to be his responsibility and mine is to be mine, so I have always done as he has asked, even though it has meant that I have suppressed a lot over 15 years.
All of that business with Beth and Bill came to a halt about two years ago, when Beth verbally attacked my husband in public in front of his grandchildren. She called him vile curse words while he stood in shocked silence. What horrible atrocity had he committed to warrant such behaviour? He had given one of the grandchildren an over-thecounter fibre supplement while we were babysitting.
As a repercussion for his actions, he was unable to see or talk to his grandchildren for a year. They communicate only through my husband’s ex-wife, Bill’s mother, and do everything in their power to make it difficult for him to see his grandchildren. They live several hours away from us. We don’t know what to do. We mainly just want to maintain contact with the grandchildren. My husband continues to try to use all forms of contact possible to remain in the grandchildren’s lives, including sending birthday and holiday money.
Trying to grandparent these children has been a nightmare since Day 1 because of Beth’s need to control everything. Needless to say, I no longer let him pick up the grandkids alone. I can now give my opinion openly on the entire matter and can communicate with them should the occasion arise. I am tired of seeing my husband bullied, mistreated and disrespected. He is a great grandfather and husband. We are honest, hardworking, God-fearing people, and this should just not be happening.
Family counselling is out of the question because of the distance and lack of communication. Where did we go wrong? Any other advice? Dear Outlaw: For an outlaw, you seem very much like an in-law. You say that family counselling is out of the question, but what about personal counselling? If you have 15 years of pent-up thoughts about your stepchildren and your stepgrandchildren, you should talk to someone about those feelings. Harbouring negative feelings for that long is never good for anyone. It might help you to be more sympathetic to your husband’s perspective regarding his children.
A grandparent should not give children over-the-counter medication without consulting a pediatrician. I think the two of you could benefit from counselling and communication. Even if Bill and Beth don’t come around, there is a good chance that your grandchildren will appreciate all your efforts when they get older.