Introducing 4.5 YO to Grandpas MANY Girlfriends

Updated on March 09, 2010
C.M. asks from Anchorage, AK
6 answers

Hi Moms,

I am starting to question introducing my daughters, specifically the oldest 4.5 year old to my husbands, fathers newest girlfriend. In the last 5 years, he has had 5 girlfriends (+ a second marriage which started and ended within the same year, after more than 30 years of marriage to my husbands mother.), he LOVES, and has wanted to marry. For many reasons he seems to be single in 6 months or so, and on to the next serious GF a minute later. My daughter has started asking about the most recent ex, and where she is. With his track record, I am worried about introducing her to the new woman . I dont want her to think that its OK to have these types of relationships or get attached to her and then have her dissapear.... I want my husband to explain this to his father, but he seems to think its over reacting.

Am I overreacting?

***I updated my first post, but most importantly I failed to mention that he was married in 2006, and divorced in a year. Since he has asked 2 of his 5 GF's to marry him, and both have declined, because he wants to be serious so quickly. So, this is most certainly not casual relationships. He has also asked us and our children to refer to a couple of these women as "grandma" which I have said NO, directly to him. ***

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I.G.

answers from Seattle on

If we are talking about just casually introducing them during a family function or casual outing - I think that's fine. People have all kinds of relationships and personally I think it's important to teach kids that we can be tolerant of different lifestyles, even if we don't endorse them.

I wold however ask that his latest GF keeps it casual. You or your husband can explain to them that while they are welcome to meet, you would prefer that she does not get too involved as the new "grandma" until their relationship is more mature. If they can't stick to that... you will have to draw your line in the sand.
Good luck.

2 moms found this helpful
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P.M.

answers from Portland on

Whether you're overreacting depends on whether your daughters feel an emotional connection to the girlfriends. If they are just casual relationships to your daughters, and if the girlfriends don't speak, dress, or behave inappropriately, then I don't see any problem.

As with any teachable situation, simply observe that not every relationship works out, and that people don't have to marry everybody they think they're in love with. This will be a concept you'll be glad your daughters have learned when they start having boyfriends.

1 mom found this helpful

A.F.

answers from Fayetteville on

I agree with Carol, you're not over reacting. Your little girl shouldn't be exposed to that and in my opinion your husbands father seems like a pervert changing girlfriends like you change your socks. It's not something you want your daughter seeing and replicating. But maybe introduce them as friends and go from there. But if he starts telling your kids to call her grandma then you have a problem.
I had a similar feeling when my mother left my step dad and found a new guy. Granted I am 22 years old and it happened last year but my step dad has been with my mom for 21 years. But I finally realized why they split, and for the longest time I didn't like my mom's fiancee because she was pushing him on to me and my 17 year old sister. But once I got to know him on my own I was ok. I hope your daughter understands ok, and hopefully your husband will talk to his father about it. Good luck. :)

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C.C.

answers from Chicago on

No I don't think you are over reacting you are protecting your childs feelings and concerns..maybe just introduce them as his friends if possible but it is hard on young children to get to know someone and like them then in next minute they are no longer around?? Good luck:)

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D.S.

answers from Tulsa on

you need to tell him if he wants to be easy he also has to be discreet about it. Tell him he needs to keep them from meeting her for at least 6 month. when I was dating I could tell in 6 months if it was going to work so they didn't meet my son for minimum 6 months or longer.

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T.C.

answers from Seattle on

I would just introduce them as Grandpa's Friend until there is a ring on the finger! LOL! I would be cautious of the example your FIL is setting for your daughter. It may just be easier to be "busy" when he wants to do a family event with the new girlfriend if he will not respect your wishes. Good Luck!

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