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Boyfriend's daughter's mom?

My boyfriend has custody of his daughter every other weekend.

But sometimes he gets called in to work at last minute for five to eight hours, so he asked me to watch his daughter in that time until he gets home.

She's pretty well behaved, so I don't mind, but her mom found out and now demands him to drop the daughter off if he goes to work.

I don't exactly agree with this, because Its rough to tell a parent they can only see their kid twice a month, its quite sad to watch it all and I think my boyfriend with his parental rights taken into account has the say so of what his daughter is up to when she visits, including being entitled to come home from a long hard day at work to his daughter. But, it's not up to me and I don't think I have any place to make any sort of input, so I stay out of it.

The mother called and yelled at him when she found out he worked for 8 hours and essentially got a babysitter (at first I suspected she had it in for me but she's never really said anything about me)

The last time he was called in to work at last minute for 5 hours or so, instead of having her dropped off he asked me to watch his daughter again. At first I explained that I was nervous to do so because the mom made a huge issue out of it and she probably isn't adjusting well to a female authority figure in her daughter's life and I don't want to cause any strain, but also that I understood how a parent could get upset about having someone they don't even know watching their kid.

His daughter on the other hand begged me to watch her and not take her back to mom's and she wouldn't tell her mom, I started to cave.

Now I don't support teaching kids to lie to their moms, but I'm not a parent, so it's not my place to teach anyone anything, and her actual parent was asking me to do this so I went along with it.

It was fun but I feel guilty. What is the best way do you think to handle this situation without doing harm or stepping on parents' toes?

And what would happen if say I'm watching the daughter and the mom stops by to pick her up on the weekend dad has her? I'm not of the mind to say 'no you can't have your daughter' because that's messed up, but isn't that called kidnapping if one parent takes the child from some place without asking the other parent ?

I'm not looking for an excuse here, to be honest I think they're both good parents so The daughter is fine regardless of where she goes, I just want to watch my *** so I don't get in trouble for doing things like assisting kidnapping or accused of kidnapping or even that unlawful holding business.

Anyone have any input? And please don't put some snappy angry comment insulting me because you have your own issues with divorce and kids so you want to take it out on me; I just want to do what's best for everyone involved.

Update:

@ocimom - no **** thanks for stating the obvious. But places like schools have to contact the custodial parent when the non custodial parent shows up to pick up the kid because of kidnapping, and how would you like it if the other divorced parent nabbed up your kid and drove off when you weren't home?

Update 2:

I spoke to the mom once and tried to give her my number in case she needs anything for any reason, has any concerns, or is just plain pissed and needs someone to yell at but she refused to take it.

I do think the best thing to do is tweeds suggestion is for my bf to go back to court in the mean time to get some fine tuning if he chooses but to make it clear to him if that scenario does happen then I am not going to step in the way of the mom wanting to pick up her daughter and if that is not what he wishes then he will need to work it out with someone else to watch her, for the better interest of everyone involved

Update 3:

I never said I wanted to fight any fights which some of you are missing, I'm saying I don't want to get in trouble for either imprisonment or kidnapping.

Update 4:

@l8tr - yeah because she won't drop her back off or let her get picked back up and that weekend is blown

Update 5:

@Elenor - oh I completely understand, however it doesn't work the other way around which is a little unfair for my bf, but the only way to manage it without some over blown child traumatizing parental me me me moment is to deal with it legally lest they bicker and argue in front of the daughter

11 Answers

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  • Sassy
    Lv 6
    8 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    The court order of visitation is the document which the parents of the child go by, and can not alter without going thru the courts. If this is the case, then if the mother of the child drops her kid off at her parents house or a friend in order to have her hair or nails done then the father of the child could also throw a fit.

    As for imprisonment or kidnapping of the child, you were asked to 'babysit' for the parent which has custody that weekend, period. It is not the mother's time, nor can she demand the child back.

    If they never went thru the courts to outline visitation, then it is about time since eventually one of them will have a girlfriend and maybe a future spouse in the picture.

  • 8 years ago

    Well, ordinarily I would say "stay out of it." Then I read the second part of your question.

    Here's what I would do: call the ex/mother and arrange to meet her for coffee or a drink. Tell her the situation and ask her if you two can sit down and discuss it. Then do it. The best way to prevent this from getting all out of hand is to face it with her. Let her get to know you on a more personal level and see what kind of person you are.

    Don't mention what the child says, but tell the mom that she always seems to enjoy being with you when the guy is working, and it's just easier all around for her to stay and see her dad after he's done working.

    The important thing is to allow *her* to make the decision. Don't try to force tour opinion on her too much, but lay it all out and let her some to the same conclusion. Let her see the environment in your place, if necessary to make her more comfortable. And make sure you help her to understand that you're not attempting to replace her in ANY way.

    I think this would be the best way to handle it for everyone involved.

  • 5 years ago

    I wager you haven't known this scam artist for lengthy and already he pulls your strings like a puppet. He's left a path of broken legal guidelines and he is nonetheless bad, with obligations which might be more predominant than you. All he's received are plans and guarantees. He's all talk & no action. He guarantees he is GONNA purchase you a vehicle and he's gonna pay gas and insurance. Definite. Correct. *key phrase GONNA He makes $1,200 a month that's $300 every week. No longer very impressive expectations for anyone who's 30. That is laughable. Take into account, if he will get taxes taken out of that pay verify that's a prison considering that illegals are by no means given a SS#. Besides, he will pay for his baby mama, his baby and he says he'll pay for you. Now do the mathematics, university student: $1,200 -$200 baby, -$200 youngster mama leaves you both with $800. A month. In case you set the bar low adequate, any worm can crawl over it. Rather of watching at this from the false guarantees he spews, inform us what he is already payed for you? Now not a meal here or there, but what critical coin has he spent on you? Tell us what he's done to beef up your existence, not what he guarantees he will do. Name him on it, demand he discontinue talkng the speak and walk the walk instantly. I wager he offers you one excuse after a different. Why is your vainness so low that you simply feel that is the excellent you would ever get? He cant potentially slot in with the university lifestyles you lead and i'm having a bet your acquaintances would snigger, not envy you. He relatively is nothing to brag about, you recognize. What has this man accomplished in 30 years? Is this what you assume your lifestyles will likely be when you attain age 30? You don't have anything in original except your notion within the rip-off job he's selling you. Ditch him like last week's rubbish and try to attract a WINNER. Your mother wants to preserve you and switch him into I.C.E. If she's helping you with school tuition, she must discontinue. My mom would have pulled the rug out from beneath me if I f'd up my lifestyles like you are. Please stop hurting your mother and begin respecting her. Some day you will need her when this D-bag dumps you. It is now not a topic of IF but simply WHEN so one can happen. Beat him to it.

  • 8 years ago

    Thats a difficult one. I have to commend you on handling it so well and being understanding of both sides. Maybe you should try talking to the mother. Show her that you're a good person. Tell her that your boyfriend really loves spending time with his daughter and he's a good man who works hard. Let her know that you understand that she doesn't know you so she's right in maybe not wanting her daughter left with you, but that you would like to get to know her so that maybe in the future she can feel comfortable with you watching their child. Explain that you are in no way, shape, or form trying to step on her toes. You just want your boyfriend to be able to spend as much time as possible with his daughter. If she's understanding, then great. If not, then there's nothing you can do from there.

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  • 8 years ago

    just make the baby mother understand that her baby is safe with you and she don't have nothing to worry about,and tell her that you love her just as much as she do. and tell her she can come by and check on if that will make her feel better. put yourself in her shoes not to say that you are not a good person,but you never know theses days all you see on the news. but as for me personally I would like to know what kinda woman is watching my baby when he's go to work. because you never know with all the things that's been happen to kids that's been left home with ex husband girlfriends or wife. or ex wives boyfriends or new husband.

  • Nita R
    Lv 6
    8 years ago

    The mother has a much much much more of a say, rights, and responsibilities than you should. Sorry to be blunt, but your opinion really doesn't and shouldn't matter in this situation.

    Source(s): My sister has three step kids and feels the same as you. I disagree with her too.
  • ?
    Lv 4
    8 years ago

    I am not sure what the legal way is, but I kind of agree with her. It is supposed to be the kid's time with the dad, if he is not with the dad, I would want my child to be with me, too.

  • Ocimom
    Lv 7
    8 years ago

    The mother has that right. Why? Because YOU are not married to your boyfriend and until you are, you have no say in the matter. Its like you are not there and your bf would need to go to work and have to take his child back.

  • 8 years ago

    If he is working he's not with the child so does it really matter if the child spends time with her mother instead? Then he can pick her up after work...seriously - it's not brain surgery!

  • 8 years ago

    Even tho it may be expensive, your best bet would be to have him ask the attorney who handled his divorce. Perhaps have a clause written to cover things like this. Perhaps if "mom" got to know you she may approve of your "babysitting" when necessary.

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