Update: Thanks everyone for their input. I'll try to answer the one later today. I have decided to stand up for myself and tell my parents today I want this change to happen. I'm not doing this to hurt my dad. But I think I deserve to feel like I have a home like they do.
End update
My parents got divorced when I was 7. I'm 14 now. For the past three years I've been doing a week at my mom's and a week at my dad's.
My dad spent a lot of money to get this arrangement. No one even asked me what I wanted.
Well I officially hate this schedule. I hate that I have pack all my stuff every goddamn week.
I don't feel like I fit in with both families. They all get to stay in one place and be happy and I feel like I'm just visiting them.
I don't have anything against my dad. He's a good dad. But I want to stay full time in one spot. I also prefer my mom's house because there aren't little kids (my 5 year old stepsister).
I guess the crappy part is my dad just bought a new house so all the kids could get their own room. I mean, I got the worst room but I guess it's the thought that counts.
Also, if I stay with Mom full time, my dad will have to pay a lot more money to my mom. This is because my mom doesn't get paid much but my stepdad makes a lot. My dad does make as much money as them.
I told my dad last week and he's really upset. And he's accusing my mom of brainwashing me, which makes me even more pissed off.
Am I the asshole?
[–]rofl1969 18 points19 points20 points (5 children) | Copy Link
I know it must hurt to read that but don't take it personally. The kid made his/her decision and I understand why they feel like a "visitor" having to do 50/50. Also they're 14, it might be helpful to have a more stable life at that age, especially if that's what they want.
I feel bad for the father, he's obviously hurt by this. But sometimes kids choose the fathers house too. We can't know what their life is like based on that one post. But regardless, it has nothing to do with how good you or all other fathers are at being a dad, it has everything to do with the fact that the kid wants to pick one and someone unfortunately is going to be left out. It's a sad situation but I don't see why they're an asshole for making a life decision that could benefit them and make them feel stable.
[–]turbulance4 1 point2 points3 points (1 child) | Copy Link
What the kid wants != what is best for the kid.
Maybe mom feeds her chicken nuggets 3 meals a day and lets her slack off on her homework, where dad feeds her healthy meals and encourages her to excel at her homework. The only motivating factor I saw in the post was the kid not wanting to be around her little step sibling. While she may not like it, being around a little kid will teach her skills that she needs later in life.
I don't know that is the case, but it's not correct to say that this 14yo's opinion on where to live should be the deciding factor. It is relevant, but shouldn't be the final decision maker.
[–]rofl1969 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
Idk he chose to live with his mom so I'm assuming he has his reasons. Whatever the case, from this information alone we can't assume neither he nor the mother are assholes here.
[–]Mightyoak123 0 points1 point2 points (2 children) | Copy Link
Agree. I wouldn’t have wanted to live in two houses either at that age. If her dad was mature and respected her wishes it might even lead to them being closer in the future.
[–]rofl1969 1 point2 points3 points (1 child) | Copy Link
I wouldn't write him off so soon, he might just be really hurt and heartbroken. I feel for him. :( it must feel like he's losing his kid. Hopefully they work out a better visiting schedule
[–]Mightyoak123 1 point2 points3 points (0 children) | Copy Link
Oh I'm not writing him off! I am just saying if he's mature, not to say he isn't.
[–]perplexedm 10 points11 points12 points (14 children) | Copy Link
This 14yr old don't want to be around little kids.
He prefer to be alone at his mom's.
The issue here is not what this boy 'wants'. The issue here is that he is not attached to either of the parents, probable chance to grow up narcissist and to fall in life's miserable ways.
What does this mean?
[–]darkbluexanadu 5 points6 points7 points (10 children) | Copy Link
As a dad i was totally on board with the decision....right up to part about child support. This should NOT in any way, shape, or form be a factor in this choice. Wonder where it came from?
[–]perplexedm 0 points1 point2 points (7 children) | Copy Link
All I can say is he is an irresponsible 14yr old oversized a(o).
[–]darkbluexanadu 2 points3 points4 points (6 children) | Copy Link
I wouldnt say irresponsible so much as immature. I completely get the week to week being a pain. The other reasons? They all sound like things that came from somewhere else. Think mommy's been cajoling
Edit: i would also like to know if part of the reason dad bought the new house was because of OP complaint s about sharing.
[–]perplexedm 0 points1 point2 points (1 child) | Copy Link
If his decision make his dad pay more to his ex-wife, that is a(o) decision from his side. If he cared either for his father or for his mother, matters would've been different. But, this a(o) does not care about anyone else than his convenience and nothing else, that is the problem.
[–]darkbluexanadu 1 point2 points3 points (0 children) | Copy Link
Oh i agree. OP sounds a bit entitled.
[–]Mightyoak123 0 points1 point2 points (3 children) | Copy Link
I wouldn’t want to share with a 5 year old at 14 tbh
[–]darkbluexanadu 0 points1 point2 points (2 children) | Copy Link
Get that completely. However, i have a suspicion that part of the reason dad bought a new house with an additional bedroom may have been to accomdate the 14 yr old.
[–]Mightyoak123 0 points1 point2 points (1 child) | Copy Link
Well it doesn’t sound like she’ll never see her dad. Hopefully they’ll come to a more flexible adult relationship. More doesn’t always equal better. My closet relationship now is my uncle even though I saw my mum most for instance
[–]darkbluexanadu 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
I like to call it a slingshot effect. Went through something like this with my son(read stepson). Who due to his mother turned on me and didnt speak to me or his brothers for a year. As a father i didnt hold it against him. Just thanked him for allowing me back into his life. We have an amazing relationship and he still calls me dad. And i couldnt be prouder of the man he is becoming.
[+]AEHIILRS1 points [recovered] (1 child) | Copy Link
Kid wants to get back at dad for slights, real or percieved, and this is a way to do it.
Mad that they got "the worst room" in the new house, mad that the five year old step-sibling requires more attention, etc.
[–]darkbluexanadu 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
Honestly to me it smacks to me off mom fostering the kids compaint about week/week thing and throwing other things into it. You know, tell me other stuff...well you know if you lived here. Oh and btw if you lived here full time we have more money, etc, etc.
[–]turbulance4 1 point2 points3 points (2 children) | Copy Link
Child support is generally calculated by what the biological mom and biological dad make. If mom remarries, and the new stepdad is rich it doesn't take that into account, bio-dad still has to pay a lot even though mom is in a stable financial situation.
[–]perplexedm 0 points1 point2 points (1 child) | Copy Link
That is an atrociously chivalrous law, against which MRAs jointly should take some action.
[–]turbulance4 1 point2 points3 points (0 children) | Copy Link
Honestly, I see some nuance. I think the bio parents should be responsible for the financial burden of raising their child. Imo, the problem is not that step parents aren't counted. It is that income is considered at all. It would be pretty simple to standardize how much it cost to raise a child and issue child support orders that are all for the same amount if in the same area (with the same cost of living), and differing only by how often the child is with each parent.
[–]HQR3 1 point2 points3 points (0 children) | Copy Link
I question why this 14 year old disapproves of the 50/50 custody rather than the schedule. If moving every week is what bothers him, why no ask for that to renegotiated, maybe every 4 weeks. Also missing from the explanation is how far away the parents live. To me, the real cause of dissatisfaction is the competition of the 5-year-old stepsister for the father's affection. Apparently, she's resented, bottom line. Without knowing any more about the situation, I'd have to say (in my best Jerry Springer): "You ARE the asshole!"
[–]Weysting 0 points1 point2 points (13 children) | Copy Link
is that apparently meant to represent that you’re suprised or expected them to be the asshole ?
[–]beathedealer 1 point2 points3 points (12 children) | Copy Link
Unfortunately I did expect it. This one felt especially gut wrenching to me.
[–]bufedad 3 points4 points5 points (11 children) | Copy Link
People are allowed to want what they want... even children.
[+]operationdragoon1 points [recovered] (5 children) | Copy Link
However, the person in question isn't even willing to compromise. They know their father cares deeply about them and spent a lot of money getting 50/50 custody - but they don't care or feel any empathy. Definitely the asshole in that regard alone.
[–]bufedad -1 points0 points1 point (4 children) | Copy Link
Yeah... it sucks. Especially for the dad. Just as it would suck if he wanted to move to another state to be nearer to his mom... People are allowed to make their own decisions and to want what they want.
[+]operationdragoon1 points [recovered] (3 children) | Copy Link
Would never suggest the kid isn't allowed to decide but it still makes them a massive asshole imo.
[–]bufedad 1 point2 points3 points (2 children) | Copy Link
For wanting more stability? He's an asshole?
I'd hate it if this were my kid, but no... he's not an asshole here.
[+]operationdragoon1 points [recovered] (1 child) | Copy Link
For abandoning his father and not giving a shit he is an asshole. Moving house to house weekly doesn't have to be unstable - I've been there.
[–]bufedad 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
And you two have different feelings about it. He's allowed to feel this way.
[–]beathedealer 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
Agreed. I’m not being critical of the child for feeling that way.
[–]perplexedm 0 points1 point2 points (3 children) | Copy Link
They should also know, all those wishes and wants comes at a huge cost on others.
[–]bufedad -1 points0 points1 point (2 children) | Copy Link
They do, but people aren't bound by the wants of others
[–]perplexedm -1 points0 points1 point (1 child) | Copy Link
His father is bound by law to feed his narcissistic ass.
[–]bufedad 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
Narcissistic?
[–]turbulance4 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
What bothered me most about the comment section was all the people says "yea it's horrible to shuffle the kid back and forth so often." That logic doesn't hold in reality.
1st she shouldn't have to pack and move, as she should have most the things she needs at both houses. 2nd the most popular unequal schedule is Siegenthaler schedule, which is basically every other weekend and 1 day during the week at dads. This would mean moving between houses twice every other week and once every other week, or an average of 1.5 times per week, which is greater than the 1 time per week she experiences now. Any other "normal" schedule would leave the 14yo moving at least as often as she currently is and just mean she seed dad less often.
[–]RedHeadedIdiot 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
I agree. NTA. Actually no, the government is the A-hole. For making the father pay child support despite the mother having a husband that can easily support their family. But other than that, I don't have a problem with them choosing to be with their mother.
[–]boringcarpets 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
Rewrite this with the genders reversed, see what happens
[–][deleted] 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
Sounds like dad got parentally alienated early on. Unfortunate. Women love to turn children against their fathers.
The child in question is already developing some nasty and selfish behaviors likely courtesy of the mother. Imagine having a little sister you could be a role model for and being instead like "Lulz fuck off kid, I don't like you, I'm gonna go live over here cause I don't like my room and cause I want to enslave my dad to benefit my mom, I just think my mom deserves to have my dad break his back so she can steal money from him by claiming it's for me you know?"
TL;DR Child was brainwashed by mom, mom is a greedy whore, child seems to have been taught that using child support to fund her mothers lifestyle is acceptable because apparently her mother is a goddamn child.
[–]AEHIILRS1 point [recovered] | Copy Link
My ex used to come out of the house to do custody exchanges with bags packed for the kids. They didn't need them, usually they sat dropped by my front door, untouched, ready to be carried to the car when it was time to switch back. It was just a subtle signal that staying with me was merely a temporary vacation, like visiting the grandparents or having a sleepover at a friend's house.
This is also kinda interesting. The apartment complex I moved into had a pool. Our old house did not. She'd put swimsuits, sunscreen, etc. in the bags she packed and then nasty texts if everything wasn't sent back to her. That was the bit that made me start thinking carefully about what she was trying to do with the unnecessary overnight bags.
I don't know why /breakingcadz doesn't have swim trunks at their dad's house, but figuring that out would probably shed a bit of light on what may be going on behind the scenes.
[–]40moreyears -1 points0 points1 point (1 child) | Copy Link
YTA. Go with your dad when he wants. He loves you.
[–]Mightyoak123 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
We don’t know enough to make that judgement