cereta: Silver magnifying glass on a book (Anjesa's magnifying glass)
Lucy ([personal profile] cereta) wrote in [community profile] agonyaunt2023-08-13 09:07 pm

Dear Amy: I'm dating my son-in-law's brother, and now I can't see my grandchild

Dear Amy: I am an older woman who fell in love with a man 17 years younger than me. I love this man with everything I have. We met about five years ago at my home during Thanksgiving.

Unfortunately for us, his brother is married to my daughter.

I have practically raised their daughter from infancy; she’s going into second grade this year. When my boyfriend and I started seeing each other, my son-in-law decided he would punish me by keeping my granddaughter away from me. (She was 4 at the time.)

The pressure and pain I endured was overwhelming and I broke up with the first man I've ever loved, who I was completely comfortable with, in order to spend time with my granddaughter.

Then, last year, my guy and I reunited. I love him more every day, but the same thing happened again — my granddaughter wasn’t allowed to come to my home anymore and my son-in-law treats me like dirt. So we broke up again because the pain is almost unbearable for both of us.

I would like your thoughts on this, please, because I need help. I don’t want to live a miserable life without the love of my life.

— Heartbroken

Heartbroken: I’m going to take it as a given that your partner doesn’t present any risks to your granddaughter, and that your son-in-law’s treatment of you is a reflection of the rage he feels at his perception that you are encroaching upon his family.

Nowhere here do you mention your daughter, who is married to this controlling and abusive man. He is managing to control the lives of four people: his wife, his brother, you, and your granddaughter. Perhaps it’s time that someone stood up to him.

You can’t stand up to him if your heart is aching and breaking, and so you will have to train yourself to withstand the consequent separation. It might help if you see your own choice as sending a strong message to both your daughter and granddaughter: “I won’t let him control me.”

Live your life. A counselor could help you and your partner to navigate the anxiety you feel. You should also consult with a lawyer. In my state, grandparents can file a legal petition for visitation.
ioplokon: purple cloth (Default)

[personal profile] ioplokon 2023-08-14 02:38 am (UTC)(link)
I'm not saying they should absolutely not date but................ it's pretty messy, isn't it? Especially since it sounds like they definitely met after daughter and SIL were married, at a family event (so like, even though the letter makes it seem kind of happenstance, knew bf was LW's son's brother when they met...).

I guess I'm curious if they all ever talked about the situation (esp the daughter missing from this letter???) and like, what they said?

Otherwise I kinda feel like it's loosely in Martin Brodeur territory of like, not a great thing to do & very complicated for your family but... I guess it's love, so there's that?? (though at least there's no cheating here, presumably)
laurajv: Holmes & Watson's car is as cool as Batman's (Default)

[personal profile] laurajv 2023-08-16 05:29 pm (UTC)(link)
You say Martin Brodeur and all I hear in my head is crowds chanting UNCLE-DADDY