Not really a big dilemma, can talk to family & friends etc however am curious to hear complete outsider advice. Am I being unreasonable for saying my other half’s daughter can’t stay on a school night?Just a bit of background - I’ve just had a baby, he’s 10 weeks old and I have two other children (previous relationship)
Yes I think you’re being unreasonable. Some reasons that spring to mind.
1. He is a parent, that doesn’t mean weekends only. Years down the line if you separated from your partner and he said no to having your child because ‘weeknights are for Mum’s to sort out and the Mrs doesn’t want them here’ would that be ok? would it be ok if your child said ‘daddy doesn’t want me to stay because daddy’s partner said no’?
2. Assuming your other 2 kids live with you she has to see that they get to spend every day with
her Daddy as well as the new baby but she’s not allowed. How do you think that makes her feel? And then to be told she’s not welcome some days.
3. You’ve had two children, you know the juggle. If you were a first time mum, trying to figure it out, needing space, I’d understand more.
4. She’s going to be feeling more replaced than ever before. Not only are there two step children but now another of Daddy’s own. She’s going through some serious stuff here and is probably wanting and needs reassurance
5. At 10 is it that much harder to get her ready for school? If your other kids aren’t at school or at a different school and it means having to get up and out then I understand it’s a pain but then your partner should be helping to make it work. Getting ready the night before etc
6. Shouldn’t your partners daughter be welcome in his house any time, day or night?
Perhaps I’m missing the problem her saying causes. I do think she needs to understand she has to be really organised of a morning and your partner should be helping by taking care of the older kids while you tend to the baby but not in a way that it’s his responsibility to take care of her specifically. Rather than ‘Daddy is devoting time to me’ it can come off as ‘step mum isn’t interested, only daddy’ and make her feel different from the other kids.
This is a massive thing for her, potentially really emotionally damaging. She needs to know she’s just as important and welcome than any of the other kids.