My 10-year-old son has asked me not to marry my partner after row
DEAR DEIDRE: MY ten-year-old son has asked me not to marry my partner.
I’m broken and don’t have a clue what to do.
I’m 39 and have been with my partner, who is 41, since my son was 18 months old.
He is the only daddy my son has ever known but he has grown more and more bad-tempered with him.
We had a typical incident yesterday. I asked my partner to take my son to the park because I was in the middle of making our tea.
My partner angrily said, “Why can’t you?”
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I said not to bother, I’d do it. He then stormed out shouting, “I’ll stop being his father if you can’t stop nagging me.”
My son burst into tears. My partner said sorry and my son said it was OK but he’s been quiet and withdrawn ever since.
My son used to like my partner, but I’ve noticed he avoids him as much as he can these days.
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DEIDRE SAYS: If this was typical then I’m afraid your son is being seriously damaged by your partner’s behaviour.
He sounds jealous and resentful of your son.
Tell him the wedding is off and you must separate unless he can alter his behaviour.
He needs to appreciate that your son deserves a loving father figure.
You can both find support through Family Lives (, 0808 800 2222).
