Things Are So Messed Up!

Tiggerlovinggrandma

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Jun 22, 2008
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My DH and I have carefully planned what we think will be a wonderful trip to WDW Jan 4-11 organized specifically for our DGS to visit Disney World for the 1st time. It was to be a family trip with us along with his mommy and daddy. Well after a year of planning with everything set and paid for, DSIL informs my DD last night that he won't be going with us. We just ask him again on Thanksgiving if all was A-okay for the trip and he said yes. Now he says he can't afford to take the time off. One week? A note here: we are paying for the entire trip incl hotel, park tickets, Seaworld tickets and meals there plus Cirque de Soliel tickets and deluxe dining plan. The only thing DD and DSIL have to bring is spending money. Now given the way things are right now in the US we might believe him if it wasn't for other factors.

He can afford a brand new (very large) flat screen TV, blue ray system and video game system- all purchased by him in the last four months.

He can afford to go out to eat dinner 4-5 times each week.

He can afford to eat lunch out daily.

He can afford to shop every week at Loews and Home Depot for home repair supplies for projects he never finishes (for ex: he has yet to install the sink base in the bathroom he redid last April so there is no sink to use in their house except the kitchen one).

Add to this the relationship itself has not been very good between DD and him for awhile now. Note: DD is 22 and DSIL is 27. They were married 2years ago in October. Our beautiful DGS was born five months later. They said they were deeply in love and wanted to do the right thing for the baby. We applauded their courage and commitment but had reservations as did his parents however both sides have been extremely supportive. We all have went above and beyond for the two of them. In total they have been together 3 years as of Jan 1st. After DD was married she found out he had 3 fiances before her and had a large amount of debt that he owed on.

Even though at first he supported our daughter in finishing her education he now tells her she needs to quit college and stay at home full time or go to work to help him pay off the large debt he has incurred (most of which was before they married). Some $40,000!!! Note: he spends money excessively; he does not pay for her college, we do and DH and I do the majority of the babysitting with his parents watching DGS once a week so they have no childcare costs.

He enjoys using the D word everytime they disagree or argue incl on Thanksgiving Day where upon he told her to leave the house without their son, that she had no rights what so ever because he works and pays for everything. He told her if they do divorce he knows exactly how to work it in his favor because his brother went through one

He tells her she cleans too much and there is nothing wrong with letting the dishes sit for a few days, not making the bed, etc.

He tells her she is too active and should sit at hiome and watch TV or play video games instead. Note: DD goes to school full time, cleans the house, takes care of son, runs errands, gorcery shops, goes to the library, takes DS to park, playground, on outings, studies and runs for exercise. She reserves the weekends for date night with her husband and to see her friends. Pretty typical we think. She has always been an active person, never one to just lay around.

When she made the Dean's list this semester his response was, I could have done that. Note: He dropped out in the 9th grade, got his GED at 18, attended 2 colleges and did not finish either. None of the courses he says are transferable. He has recently joined the National Guard and leaves in July for for months. His second enlistment, he quit the first.

He has become very secretive and will not let her use his cell phone or computer now. She has her own laptop and cell but he never use to mind letting her use his until recently

He yells at her all the time including in front of DS.

When she ask him to pick up something of his like his socks, etc, he will respond with, yes dear, anything for you, its all about you.

DD is struggling at this point to hold things together though she is getting tired of how he is treating her and living under the constant threat of divorce. He doesn't seem to care about his son either spending very little time with him. Obviously he doesn't even want to expierence Disney with his son for the first time. This has hurt DD a lot. As she sees it, they could have had a wondergful family time together, perhaps relaxed a bit together and enjoy DS 1st time seeing Mickey but he chooses not too.She doesn't know what to think or do at this point. she just ses her marriage falling apart.

All in all what we have heard and witnessed (this is just a small fraction) has us very concerned. However all we can do is be supportive and pray things will work out how they should. DH and I hate the idea of DGS going thur a divorce as much as we'd hate him being in a home that is not happy and healthy. It's a double edge sword.

I'm sorry this is so long. I just had to vent. Have you ever wanted to just scream. Scream, cry, whatever. Well I do. It's hard seeing your child's heart breaking and to also know how hard this will be for your grandchild. DH and I so wanted things to work out for them and maybe they still will. But it does not look very good right now.

For the moment we told DD to invite her best friend along for the trip and we will go as planned. Who knows however what we will be retuning home too???
 
I'm so sorry for everything your family is going through. :hug: My first thought was for you to go as planned without the DSIL (and without your DD's best friend). Some family time and some separation from the stress might be good for everyone.

Lots of prayers for your family!
 
Dear Tiggerlovinggrandma,

My heart is breaking for you and your daughter, because I think you know what the best really would be for your grandson. I've had a colleague whose oldest daughter went through something similar 5 years ago (they however did not get married) and she made the correct choice for her son; she left the boyfriend who lived off of her. For a while the son would have problems with why daddy didn't want to play and when he was about 3 years he "hated" daddy. This was not what she wanted for her son so she left him with her parents full support. Now she is older (she was 19 at that time) and wiser and married to a man who is mature, responsible and loves her son like his own son. The step-dad is now dad.

I also see alot of children with "behavioral" issues which really are not because they are "bad" or have "ADHD" but in fact it is a result of the familial situation around them. (I'm a general pediatrician). I feel that the children tend to suffer the most and it can be heartbreaking.

I just feel as though I am reading the same story over again; for the child the best thing would be to NOT see how your son-in-law treats your daughter as that could be something that your grandson will learn as "family" behavior. This also doesn't sound as though it is healthy for your daughter to stay in this situation and she really deserves much better. IMHO the initial decision to make the break would be extremely painful but the end result and the future of your daughter and your grandson would benefit so much more than to let this go on.

I really hope that everything works out and will pray for you. I want you to understand that I am not advocating for a D but I would really tally up all the pros and cons and I think you may already know the answer. :hug:
 
I say go along and have a great time without him. We almost went through the same thing with my best friend for our August trip---instead he left DURING the trip and flew back home, leaving his children to wonder why. It worked out and we had an amazing time afterwards. NOBODY is going to get me down when I am in WDW---go and have a great family vacation---worry about the rest after.
 

I hope things work out for you and your family. I agree with the OP, go anyway. Have a good time and forget your troubles for a week. That's what makes WDW such a wonderful place. You can forget your worries and be a kid again.

Hello to both of my fellow tarheels!!!
 
It sounds like your DD and DSIL have a lot on their plate and everything came pretty fast with the baby and marriage. They are young. I recall much of the same drama at the beginning of my marriage many moons ago. The best you can do is be there to listen, but let them work it out one way or the other. If your DD asks for help, then of course your there for her in a flash. In the meantime, I'd go to Disney as planned, without DSIL and have a blast. Your probably much better off that he won't be there.

And yes, its okay to scream. I've been there many times myself...and amazingly, sometimes it DOES help. ;)
 
:hug: I am sorry that you have to watch this. This sounds just like the situation that my mom and I are going through with my sister. Unfortunately, DSis lives across the country. DSis has finally found the courage to get a divorce. My mom & I worry everyday about what will happen to her. Remember, you cannot change her situation. Just be a soft place for her to fall.

I hope all works out for your vacation. It sounds like you need some extra pixie dust! :tinker:
 
He is in $40K of debt... he can't afford all those things you said he can afford.

I like the idea of taking your DD friend.

((hugs))
 
So sorry that your family is going through this. :hug: Go on your trip with your daughter and your grandson and have a wonderful special time. leave the friend at home so your dd can spend time with her family and relax and enjoy herself.

Sadly, the same thing happened to my nephew and he got married young, had his son and then he and the wife divorced very soon after. While it's commendable (sp?) to marry for the sake of the child, those marriages don't always work out. It also happened to dh's brother. It was very hard in the beginning but both are better off now.

Jill
 
It breaks my heart to read this.

It sounds as though your DSIL is still pretty immature and doesn't want to grow up and be a father and husband.

I would say go with your DD and DGS, just the 4 of you. Like another poster said, perhaps some time seperated, your DD and DSIL will come back together and start working on their marriage and what not.

I suppose that if the worst that happens out of his is they get divorced, it is what needed to happen. All things happen for a reason. And it sounds as though DD is in a somewhat toxic relationship.

I do have one question for you...would you and your DH be able to take DD and DGS into your home if your DD and DSIL decided divorce was best and he kicked her out of the house?

Also, please let your daughter know that things will be ok in the end no matter what happens. And I think any judge in their right mind would most likely give custody of the child to the parent who provides the cleanest, loving environment. Give your DD a big hug and just reassure her that no matter what, you guys are there for her and DGS and that things will work themselves out somehow.
 
Go. It sounds like he'd try to ruin the trip anyway. Let your daughter and grandson have a good time, without her dh bringing her down. HE isn't young-he is a grown man. And he sounds like a selfish one. I'd leave bringing the friend up to her.
 
I'm so sorry everyone is going through this. My son is only 4 so watching him go through heartbreak is awhile away, but it must just be awful.

Definitely go, extra friend or not, but I would highly recommend that your daughter take her important things with her. Special clothes, keepsakes, either photos or the negatives (or discs), just in case. Rotten spouses have done worse things than destroy stuff like that or just lock people out so they can't get them, so it might be best to protect those important things, quietly, before the trip.

And honestly it sounds like she won't be dealing with the threat of divorce for long; sounds like he's gearing up to make it happen soon enough. After all, he's blocking her contact to the world somewhat, and preventing her from looking at HIS stuff (phone, computer), and he wants the house to himself during this trip you're taking...seems he's starting to live his own life already.

She should probably check in to her state's laws...for instance, in WA, a community property state, debts incurred BEFORE the marriage aren't the responsibility of the other spouse. Might be good to know the legalities while he tosses threats around like he's been doing.
 
He can afford a brand new (very large) flat screen TV, blue ray system and video game system- all purchased by him in the last four months.

He can afford to go out to eat dinner 4-5 times each week.

He can afford to eat lunch out daily.

He can afford to shop every week at Loews and Home Depot for home repair supplies for projects he never finishes (for ex: he has yet to install the sink base in the bathroom he redid last April so there is no sink to use in their house except the kitchen one).

That's why he can't afford spending money for WDW ~ who could pass up an all expense paid trip? Sounds to me like he doesn't want to spend time with the in-laws because he knows you know how crappy he is treating her and probably won't care if she goes without him, which she should, because it also sounds like he's having an affair!

So sorry about all this ~ I don't know what I'd do if my daughter was in a situation like this!

Good luck:hug:

 
OP, I know just how you feel. It felt like someone was ripping my heart out when I had to stand by and watch DS go through his divorce. He would come to me to talk and cry for hours. All I could do was be there for him. Just be there for your daughter and try (and believe me I know how hard this is to do) not to say anything judgmental about him.

Go on the trip. Your daughter and your grandchild could both use the escape even if for just a week.
 
I'm so sorry everyone is going through this. My son is only 4 so watching him go through heartbreak is awhile away, but it must just be awful.

Definitely go, extra friend or not, but I would highly recommend that your daughter take her important things with her. Special clothes, keepsakes, either photos or the negatives (or discs), just in case. Rotten spouses have done worse things than destroy stuff like that or just lock people out so they can't get them, so it might be best to protect those important things, quietly, before the trip.

And honestly it sounds like she won't be dealing with the threat of divorce for long; sounds like he's gearing up to make it happen soon enough. After all, he's blocking her contact to the world somewhat, and preventing her from looking at HIS stuff (phone, computer), and he wants the house to himself during this trip you're taking...seems he's starting to live his own life already.

She should probably check in to her state's laws...for instance, in WA, a community property state, debts incurred BEFORE the marriage aren't the responsibility of the other spouse. Might be good to know the legalities while he tosses threats around like he's been doing.


I agree with this. It sounds like he's gearing up to make the divorce happen and she needs to protect herself.

I believe she needs to get all of her and her sons important things quietly out of the house before the trip in case he won't let her back in when you return - including a few of her sons favorite toys just in case.

I really believe you should all go without him and enjoy your time together.
 
Maybe his backing out at the last minute is a blessing in disguise, not only for you (he won't be there to make the trip miserable for everyone) but for your dd. Hopefully she will see things more clearly with a little space and loving supportive parents who remind her what marriage is supposed to be. It may give her the courage and motivation to leave. Everything you posted are red flags for abuse.
 
Maybe his backing out at the last minute is a blessing in disguise, not only for you (he won't be there to make the trip miserable for everyone) but for your dd. Hopefully she will see things more clearly with a little space and loving supportive parents who remind her what marriage is supposed to be. It may give her the courage and motivation to leave. Everything you posted are red flags for abuse.
ITA. This is a red flag for abuse. You SIL (no "D") seems very controlling. He doesn't have any ambition (to which your daughter seems full of) instead of praising you DD for all of her goals and dreams he want to keep her down to his level...low. Hopefully he won't insist that your DD and DGC stay home as well....classic control. He seems very selfish (it's ok to buy stuff for himself but not for the family). The sad thing is no matter what you see with your own eyes..know that it is twice as bad for your daughter when they are alone.

I am not trying to scare you but warn you. My ex was very much like this. He only wanted me to be around his friends and family and tried to keep me down on his level. Finally something woke me up but it is a very hard life. Please don't let your DD convince herself that he will get custody blah, blah, blah. I don't care what his brother said. He can tell your DD that he will say she is this and that (my ex was convinced that he was going to tell the judge I used drugs, slept around and abused DD...judges have heard it all before). This is a classic line that men always seem to use. Men (no not all) know that a way to get to a woman is threaten to take a child away from her but that will never happen.

Again :hug: to you and go to WDW without him. Take you grandchild and convince DD to go too. Sounds like she needs to get out of the house and just relax.
 
Maybe his backing out at the last minute is a blessing in disguise, not only for you (he won't be there to make the trip miserable for everyone) but for your dd. Hopefully she will see things more clearly with a little space and loving supportive parents who remind her what marriage is supposed to be. It may give her the courage and motivation to leave. Everything you posted are red flags for abuse.

Yes, I agree also. As I was reading your post OP, I was thinking she needs to get out. Forget him threatening divorce, she needs to leave while she and her son are still safe and she still has some motivation to take care of herself. I swear it sounds like it won't be long before the controlling behavior escalates to a very scary level. I would assume from the relationship it sounds like you have with her that she could come live with you? This just doesn't sound like a safe environment for her to be living in.

Best of luck to you and your DD. I hope you have a wonderful time WITHOTU the SIL.
 
I'm sorry your family is going through this and particularly your DD. It sounds to me like he has found someone else and is waiting until you guys leave him behind to do something he shouldn't. The secrecy is a big red flag. I know I have been there. Your daughter will be happier without hiim if the controlling person continues. I say go to DW and enjoy yourselves as much as possilble and forget him. He is actually controlling you all by his change of plans don't let it affect you for as much as you can.
 
I am so sorry you have to watch your DD go through this. I just went through a tough situation with my DD's dad and I see a lot of the same red flags. The secrecy about the phone and the computer seem like sure signs of cheating or maybe just the intent to cheat. If your DD and SIL did get a divorce could DD and DGS stay with you? If so, I would have her do like a pp said and pack up favorite toys, mementos, clothes and important papers and bring them over to your house. Just so they are not left behind in the house while you all are away.
As for SIL's threats about custody, it doesn't sound like a man who hardly spends time with his son would actually fight for custody. To me, this sounds like just a threat.
Go to WDW without him, I am sure you will have a better time if he's not there.
Good luck to your DD, I hope it all turns out okay.:hug:
 


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