My 13 year old grandson said he was worried that his dad would ‘get heart failure’ as he is constantly under pressure. ‘Doing a dad’ has become shorthand for being irritable, shouty, and verbally lashing out at those around him. This has been going on for a long time and has almost become normalised. My grandson’s observation woke me up to thinking there must be ways to help him.
A little background. He has three sons one who is a stepson. His 13 year old is a young carer for his mum who suffers mental health probs. I have had lots of involvement in his up bringing. My son’s current relationship of 8yrs is turbulent and his household is his 10 year old step son and their 5 year old son. 13 year old visits at weekends. We all live in same town. 5 year old has just started having serious behavioural problems at school which has heightened thoughts that all is not well at home and the children are suffering.
Son and partner are now going for couple counselling. Son works full-time partner 3 days a week. The atmosphere at home is often toxic.
My son is overwhelmed by coping with three kids, a difficult relationship, and has inadequate coping mechanisms so he is constantly blaming the kids, his partner, life in general. But it’s not funny. My grandson is right his dad will make himself ill if he does not.....what??? Also the children are being seriously affected. He thinks he really tries his best but feels out of control and trapped in a situation he can’t deal with.
It has helped writing this. How can he cope better?
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