A concerned mother seeks advice on how to address her ex-husband’s tendency to belittle their son’s interests while maintaining a supportive environment for their children.
He Belittles His Son
The woman, reflecting on her ex-husband’s role as a loving and devoted father, expresses deep concern and seeks guidance regarding his tendency to subtly belittle activities and interests that do not align with his own.
“He has always had the unfortunate tendency to brag about his advantages and accomplishments, and to subtly put down activities and interests that don’t match his own,” she writes.
While this characteristic had always been an annoying and unattractive trait, it now sparks heightened worry in the narrator.
Their son, Charlie, who is fifteen years old, possesses exceptional talent in writing and has actively engaged in local theater groups.
He Meanly Calls Him a ‘Nerd’ and ‘Theater Kid’
On the surface, the father appears supportive, having even purchased Charlie a new laptop to nurture his writing skills, driving him to rehearsals, and consistently occupying a front-row seat at every performance.
However, a disconcerting pattern emerges as the father persistently refers to Charlie as a “nerd,” labels him as a “theater kid,” and jokingly anticipates seeing him on the reality show Dance Moms.
These comments are often followed by assertions that being a “nerd” is a positive attribute, and that Charlie is destined for future riches and fame.
In response, Charlie laughingly plays along, agreeing with his father’s teasing, while humorously labeling him as a “no-talent.”
Their Child Is Observant and Sensitive
Despite Charlie’s reassurances that the name-calling and jokes do not bother him, the woman cannot shake her growing concern.
Moreover, she contemplates the potential impact on their younger son, Adam, who, being observant and sensitive, may internalize his father’s comments, even if they are not explicitly directed at him.
The woman’s discomfort intensifies as she struggles to stand by while these exchanges occur.
She worries about the long-term emotional effects on Charlie and the potential consequences for Adam’s self-esteem and emotional well-being.
But He’s Completely Dismissive
Attempting to address the issue, the woman has made earnest efforts to discuss her concerns with her ex-husband. Unfortunately, her attempts have been futile. “He’s completely dismissive,” she adds.
Faced with this challenge, the narrator seeks advice on how to effectively intervene in the moments when hurtful comments arise.
She yearns to convey her unequivocal disapproval, emphasize that Charlie’s choices and pursuits are valid and commendable, and highlight the importance of respecting individuality.
And It Has a Negative Impact
While she acknowledges that her ex-husband may not undergo a significant change in behavior, her ultimate goal is to mitigate the negative impact on their sons and, if possible, model a healthy response to bullying and demeaning behavior.
What advice would you give? Let us know in the comments!
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The post Her Belittling Ex-husband Keeps Calling Their Son a Nerd and Theater Kid and It’s Affecting Him Emotionally. What Should She Do? first appeared on The Net Worth Of.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / fizkes. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.
Source: Slate