Back-seat parenting (I'm sick of it!)

United States
December 1, 2008 5:52pm CST
How many of you parents out there deal with back-seat parenting? You know, that relative that belittles everything you do with your child? I have a bad case of it and I just had to vent to you guys about it. For those that don't know, I live with my grandmother. I have since my kids father ran away to that magical land where fathers don't have to be fathers anymore *eyeroll* Anyway, I moved back in with my grandmother not because I had to, but because in the wake of him leaving, I felt like I had missed some life lessons that were critical, and thought I could pick up on a second go-round. I am now regretting that decision. Now my grandmother and I are in almost constant battle in parenting my two kids. I don't see how she thinks herself the expert, I am the first generation of three that didn't drop my kids off on an older generation and left to live life, her included. But it seems like we fight about everything. First off, if I don't get her out of here soon my daughter is going to be overweight. For some strange reason, my grandmother thinks that I starve her. I know that sometimes my daughter asks for food not because she is hungry, but because she wants attention or wants to be nosy about what is going on around the kitchen. I tend not to give in to these, as I already know that she isn't hungry. But if my grandmother isn't home I'd better fix her something to eat, because she is always hungry when she says she is and I should never deny my child anything. Next, there is my son. He gets into trouble on a regular basis, and now I understand why. I know that some won't agree with this, but I believe in physical punishment as a last resort. However, my grandmother takes all of this away from me! She doesn't want him in the corner, she doesn't want him sent to bed, and I'd better not lay a hand on him either. What else am I to do when he acts up? All this makes me want to leave them with her when I finally do move out, because they've adopted the mentality that nothing I say is relevant, they wait for my grandmother to say so because its only her word that is law. But I can't even do that (not that I truly want to). Its been beaten into my head from day one that neither my grandmother nor my mother will do what their grandmother's did for them, which is to take care of their kids. But in my case this means that they will not even watch them for an evening! I feel like they are scared I am going to run off. I'm stuck in the house most of the time because I am not working, so I don't get childcare vouchers. I can't look for a traditional job, because my grandmother will not watch them while I go out. Even if I were to find one, I would have to make sure that I was able to pick up and drop off the kids myself (for those that don't know I don't drive), as she doesn't want to be left alone at any time with either one. Same goes for my mom. Don't want to be alone with them, yet wants to override everything I do with them. I hate back-seat parents!!! What do I do about this??? I've tried talking to my grandmother several times, even with mom involved (she is more on my side, she just will not watch them), but either she just says okay about it, and doesn't change a thing, or it turns into a yelling match between us. I can't move out just yet, because I have no job, no money, and the subsidized housing place that would accept my application has me on a long waiting list. What is there for me to do???
3 people like this
6 responses
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
2 Dec 08
It sounds like you are in a big mess..I don't know anything else for you to do but to move out but if you are on a long list then that may take time...Have you tried getting government suppliment for your children? What your grandmother is doing is wrong,you should be in charge of your children.It is hard when you cannot say anything without being ridiculed d=for everything you do...Whatever you do, i would not leave my children with them when i moved.I hate to hear that you are in such a mess....Maybe you could get some help from welfare,you need the help for sure.I am sure you could even get assisstance in a baby sitter.It would not hurt to start looking into it...If you don't do something those kids will just ignore all you say & you will be more like a big sister than their mother...
1 person likes this
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
2 Dec 08
I really feel for you in that situation..I am currently living with my daughter and her family since "ike" however they are really good to me,but its just not like having your own space and your own things & being on your own.It is hard living with someone else even just by yourself,and with your children i cannot even imagine..I am keeping my fingers crossed for you & pray you get a place of your own very soon...
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Dec 08
Thanks for your prayers. Its different when its a sister or something, but when its someone that has had a hand in raising you, ugh. I know the feeling of having my own, which is what makes it even harder. Before I moved back in, I had my own for 5 years.
• United States
2 Dec 08
Well, the only assistance that I am eligible for is food stamps and medical, no cash. I am not what Job and Family services (What we call welfare in Hamilton County, Ohio) deems a "Hardship case". So even though the cash assistance would help me immensely in getting out of here, they will not give it to me. Same for the daycare vouchers since I do not work outside of the home. I am also currently fighting for child support since their father has not paid a dime since July of this year. I'm not a person who gets ashamed of asking for help. I don't turn down anything but my collar lol. Also, I don't plan on leaving my children here. I am very proud of my stance not to do so, since the three previous generations of my family did exactly that. But sometimes I do feel like doing exactly that, because it is her doing that created their attitude towards me. I guess I just have to wait until I hear from that rental place. They said that it would take at least three months, and that takes me into January. I hope its soon.
• United States
2 Dec 08
I have been is a similar situation years ago living with my sister and my father after my mother past. It was the worst thing. I had other family members that would help and friends, but it was very hard. I have four children now but at that time it was only two. My father was understanding but my sister was a pain. She had children but always know what to do with mines. Now her two has drop out of school. When I live with them, I learn from watching many other people experience, alway be quiet when someone older is around. It is hard but it is a pysic thing. I knew I would not be there long so I knew whatever happens would not have lasting effect. When you get your own place automaticly they will know who is boss. Now remember children will be children and no matter where they are they will try to get what they want, let them be children. I remember my family over feeding my children too. But in my household I set the rules. Stay focus on getting out because people like to stay in control of there on house and everyone who is in it. I use to ask my sister was she going to feed the children or I, because if I am going to feed them, then don't feed them or I will save there food until y'all eat. The next thing she came up with they don't like what I cook, after eating it for years. There is always going to be something so give in. I did, I stop cooking. I worked on getting out. I stayed 7 months.
• United States
2 Dec 08
At least it was only 7 months, I have been here for over two years now. And its not that she is overfeeding them, she is forcing me to do it. One of the kids says they are hungry, but I know they just ate not too long ago, so I tell them no and sit down. Since, as a few other people have said, I am still a child in her eyes, she yells at me not to be starving the kids, and to get up to fix them something to eat. In her eyes I am a bad mother and lazy. In my eyes she is overbearing and lazy. I get out of cooking now, because my brother loves to do it and I hate it, at least when I am forced to cook as my grandmother likes instead of myself. But I am working on getting out of here, and I hope that the damage they are getting now isn't permanent.
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
2 Dec 08
Your Grandmother still sees you as a child and probably always will and as long as you live with her, that is exactly how she will continue to see you. Do you where the kids father is? If so, go after him and get child support and back child support. If he is in the same state you are CPS should be able to give you a lot of help. In fact go to CPS, I have heard of parents getting child support from the state and then the state gets the money from dad, that money may make you solvent. Next get a job, any kind of job...go to burger king, go to walmart, any where, a job history even one that includes french fries is better then nothing. Then move out. wish i could help you more.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Dec 08
I wish that was the way it worked in Ohio. Here, you have to get the NCP (non-custodial parent) to pay, else you get nothing. I have an order with them, and have gotten a little payment in the past, but he hasn't paid a dime since July of this year. I can't get out to get a job actually. I do put in applications online, but if I get called for an interview I have to schedule it while my son is in school, and when my granddad can watch my daughter (mind you, this is the only reason I will leave my daughter with him. He is disabled, and really cannot look after children). I am trying really hard to get out of here, because I see this is the only way the situation will improve.
2 Dec 08
I can only imagine how annoying it must be how your children listen to your grandmother and not you. Could you not sit your children down and explain that it upsets you when they dont listen to you but listen to your grandmother. I dont think your grandmother is going to change her ways, and to prevent more yelling matches, I would try and find some thing you can both agree on.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Dec 08
I doubt that a talk with my kids will do anything. One, they really don't understand, being 4 and 7, and two, even if they did, my grandmother's way benefits them a lot more, so they will end up listening to her anyway. And as far as us agreeing on this sichy, HA!!! The only way we will agree is if I completely conform to her way, which will make hell for me when I do finally move.
@relundad (2310)
• United States
2 Dec 08
Even though you are grown with kids, your grandmother stills see's you as a child in some sense. Meaning that in her mind, you can't possibly know what you are doing as a parent. Coupled with the fact that you live under her roof, and normally their is only one captain. Until you can rectify some of your issues you should not expect to gain control. Once you are the only one in charge your kids will adjust. They are just respecting the orders from the captain, especially since her rules seem to be less strict. Thats natural for kids. What I don't get is no one assisting you with childcare so that you can get moving with your own life. Is it possible that you have some friends that you could trade off something for them to watch the kids, so you can look for a job? If you are getting some type of payment from the father you may also want to go and have the payments amended so that you have enough to cover child care.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Dec 08
I see that as a problem, and I figured the part that it wouldn't get better until I moved out. But again, the problem is even getting out of the house to get the means to get out. The funny thing is, all of my friends are working, and don't have kids, else I would have done the trade off thing long ago. And as far as child support is concerned....ha!!! This guy hasn't paid a thing since July. Don't worry, I have been in contact with my caseworker, and I am just waiting on a court date.
• United States
2 Dec 08
lord knows i wish i had advice for you. im sorry for the though time and i understand how frustrating it can be.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Dec 08
Thank you for your empathy. This situation makes me feel like my grandmother believes I am not fit to be a parent, but at the same time doesn't want me to learn. I guess this is really telling me that its time for me to move out. I've been here for two years, and I guess that I have learned all that I can. Its time for me to make my own mistakes as a parent, and learn from the school of hard knocks.