Dear Prudence, My girlfriend has been living with me for nine months. I have two teenage kids from a previous marriage. She has never lived with kids before, nor cohabited much, and has found it difficult to adapt to having other people in her space. I’ve told her that I didn’t think my kids would touch her private things, and I believe that I’ve been mostly right. Recently, she took a trip to see some relatives, and when I turned out the light to go to sleep, I noticed that her iPad was on. When I tried to turn it off, I discovered that she was using the device’s camera to stream and record images of our bedroom. I was very upset, angry, and hurt. When I confronted her, she admitted that she’d been doing it for a couple of weeks. She also says she captured images of my daughter rifling through her dresser drawers. What do I do?
—Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Dear Caught, I missed the part of your letter where you say your girlfriend is “wonderful, but …” From your description there’s no wonderful, just but. If two unsuitable adults want to get together and try to make it work, that’s their business. But if one of those adults has children, then a different set of obligations regarding one’s romantic follies kicks in. First of all: Your kids come first. That doesn’t mean your children get to dictate how you live or that they have veto power over your love life. But it means that you, as a conscientious parent, do not bring someone into your life, and theirs, who has no interest in your children, and who is incapable of seeing that you are a package deal. The new love interest must understand that giving your children love and stability is your priority. But you’ve moved in with someone who seemingly articulated beforehand that she finds the idea of teenagers in her space appalling. Your girlfriend acknowledged she put monitoring equipment in your bedroom, the ostensible reason being that she suspects your teenage daughter of rifling through her drawers. But if she felt that was going on, she should have come to you with her concerns, so you could address this with your daughter directly. That your girlfriend resorted to surveillance instead means she doesn’t trust your kids—or you. You have given me no reason to believe this relationship is worth preserving, except as something that drags on because you’re too passive to confront how bad it is. You need to make a serious reassessment of your long-term romantic and living arrangements.
—Prudie
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The Principle of Least Interest: He who cares least about a relationship, controls it.
While I agree with Prudie for the most part here, she really glossed over the fact that the kid WAS snooping.
Now, let's say the camera didn't come into play but the girlfriend suspected the daughter of the snooping. What would happen? She likely wouldn't fess up, so who would he believe?
They all need to make some adjustments. Girlfriend has to realize that there are times, maybe a LOT of them, when what she wants won't happen. The kids need to learn to leave her stuff alone.
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I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.
Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.
"she was using the device’s camera to stream and record images of our bedroom."
Foolish guy believes she was spying on his KIDS????
The camera was watching HIM.
You could be right. I see this relationship going nowhere. Like husker prude overlooked the fact that his daughter was snooping in her stuff. He may be one that thinks his kids can do no wrong.
You could be right. I see this relationship going nowhere. Like husker prude overlooked the fact that his daughter was snooping in her stuff. He may be one that thinks his kids can do no wrong.
I don't think she was spying on him. I don't think everything is about sex. I think she doesn't like teenagers, he has his head up his ass about his perfect little girls, and this relationship is doomed for failure. Pretty much what husker said. Teens are known to borrow scarves, earrings, and other tidbits. Is it right? No. But they do it. If this g/f doesn't like kids she needs to split. And he need to realize his girls overstep sometimes.
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“You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I'll rise!” ― Maya Angelou
You could be right. I see this relationship going nowhere. Like husker prude overlooked the fact that his daughter was snooping in her stuff. He may be one that thinks his kids can do no wrong.
I don't think she was spying on him. I don't think everything is about sex. I think she doesn't like teenagers, he has his head up his ass about his perfect little girls, and this relationship is doomed for failure. Pretty much what husker said. Teens are known to borrow scarves, earrings, and other tidbits. Is it right? No. But they do it. If this g/f doesn't like kids she needs to split. And he need to realize his girls overstep sometimes.
Heck, even if you like teenagers though, most wouldn't like one rifling through their underwear drawer or jewelry box. I think she knew the girl was snooping and also knew the dad would rugsweep it if she brought it to his attention, so she gathered her proof before having the conversation. Either way, not a great way to have a relationship and I agree, it's not going to go far.
You could be right. I see this relationship going nowhere. Like husker prude overlooked the fact that his daughter was snooping in her stuff. He may be one that thinks his kids can do no wrong.
I don't think she was spying on him. I don't think everything is about sex. I think she doesn't like teenagers, he has his head up his ass about his perfect little girls, and this relationship is doomed for failure. Pretty much what husker said. Teens are known to borrow scarves, earrings, and other tidbits. Is it right? No. But they do it. If this g/f doesn't like kids she needs to split. And he need to realize his girls overstep sometimes.
Heck, even if you like teenagers though, most wouldn't like one rifling through their underwear drawer or jewelry box. I think she knew the girl was snooping and also knew the dad would rugsweep it if she brought it to his attention, so she gathered her proof before having the conversation. Either way, not a great way to have a relationship and I agree, it's not going to go far.
Yep yep and yep.
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“You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I'll rise!” ― Maya Angelou
Prudie is way off. The guy is blind to how his daughter behaves, happens a lot in divorce situations, the parent just doesn't want to see the bad and turns that blind eye. I would say this is more about him not making sure everyone's personal space is respected than dumping it on the GF. The daughter has not been taught boundaries. The GF knows this, doesn't want to call him out on it but wants the evidence of what she suspected the daughter was doing.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
Prudie is way off. The guy is blind to how his daughter behaves, happens a lot in divorce situations, the parent just doesn't want to see the bad and turns that blind eye. I would say this is more about him not making sure everyone's personal space is respected than dumping it on the GF. The daughter has not been taught boundaries. The GF knows this, doesn't want to call him out on it but wants the evidence of what she suspected the daughter was doing.
I agree.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
Hold up, here. We don't know that the daughter was doing anything. Cray cray girl friend says she caught her going through her drawers. That may not be true. If she did have proof, why didn't she show dad?
She was spying on her BF.
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America guarantees equal opportunity, not equal outcome...
Hold up, here. We don't know that the daughter was doing anything. Cray cray girl friend says she caught her going through her drawers. That may not be true. If she did have proof, why didn't she show dad?
She was spying on her BF.
Well, this - "She also says she captured images of my daughter rifling through her dresser drawers"- should be easy enough to check, shouldn't it? But he doesn't say he did.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
Hold up, here. We don't know that the daughter was doing anything. Cray cray girl friend says she caught her going through her drawers. That may not be true. If she did have proof, why didn't she show dad?
She was spying on her BF.
I think we can assume he looked at the footage. If he didn't, then it is all speculation.
__________________
I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.
Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.
Hold up, here. We don't know that the daughter was doing anything. Cray cray girl friend says she caught her going through her drawers. That may not be true. If she did have proof, why didn't she show dad?
She was spying on her BF.
I think we can assume he looked at the footage. If he didn't, then it is all speculation.
That's what we do, we take the thought of someone and dissect to the 8th degree and speculate. We should re name the board to the GT Speculation forum.
__________________
Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
Hold up, here. We don't know that the daughter was doing anything. Cray cray girl friend says she caught her going through her drawers. That may not be true. If she did have proof, why didn't she show dad?
She was spying on her BF.
I think we can assume he looked at the footage. If he didn't, then it is all speculation.
That's what we do, we take the thought of someone and dissect to the 8th degree and speculate. We should re name the board to the GT Speculation forum.
I would just find it a little hard to believe he wouldn't have mentioned it if he hadn't looked or there was nothing on it.
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I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.
Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.
That's what we do, we take the thought of someone and dissect to the 8th degree and speculate. We should re name the board to the GT Speculation forum.
No spitting, please
__________________
The Principle of Least Interest: He who cares least about a relationship, controls it.
If he looked at the footage, why didn't he say so? He said she told him she had pictures. Why didn't she show him if she had proof?
Maybe he refused to look at it? I have no idea why it would be worded that way. It IS part of the issue. If the daughter was getting into her stuff and dear dad wouldn't believe it - that's part of the issue, isn't it?
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
If he looked at the footage, why didn't he say so? He said she told him she had pictures. Why didn't she show him if she had proof?
Maybe he refused to look at it? I have no idea why it would be worded that way. It IS part of the issue. If the daughter was getting into her stuff and dear dad wouldn't believe it - that's part of the issue, isn't it?
Or maybe there's actually no footage? And the daughter ISNT getting into her stuff?
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America guarantees equal opportunity, not equal outcome...
If he looked at the footage, why didn't he say so? He said she told him she had pictures. Why didn't she show him if she had proof?
Maybe he refused to look at it? I have no idea why it would be worded that way. It IS part of the issue. If the daughter was getting into her stuff and dear dad wouldn't believe it - that's part of the issue, isn't it?
Or maybe there's actually no footage? And the daughter ISNT getting into her stuff?
That's exactly why he would have demandee to look And it would stretch credulity to think he didn't.
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I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.
Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.
But if there was no footage - he would have said that, too.
That's what I think. I just think there's no way he wouldn't have demanded to see proof--and if there was no such proof, that would be pretty important information.
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I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.
Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.
It isn't uncommon for any of us to get into each others dresser drawer.
Looking for something for someone and get in the wrong drawer.
Even if the daughter was going through the drawers, it doesn't mean anything.
Why would be helpful.
Either way, the LW has a live in who doesn't like his kids.
The live in doesn't like kids.
The LW has kids.
Connect the dots anyone?
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
It isn't uncommon for any of us to get into each others dresser drawer.
Looking for something for someone and get in the wrong drawer.
Even if the daughter was going through the drawers, it doesn't mean anything.
Why would be helpful.
Either way, the LW has a live in who doesn't like his kids.
The live in doesn't like kids.
The LW has kids.
Connect the dots anyone?
Uh...no. My kids don't belong rifling through my drawers. That would get in trouble for that. If they need something, they need to ask.
And this is the woman's daughter - she is not even a step-daughter. That type of familiarity is obviously not welcome.
Agreed. I very much like kids. I don't like anyone rifling through my stuff, if for no other reason that I don't want to have to reorganize it, but also, privacy.
So you've never put something of theirs in your drawer by mistake?
They have never been instructed to retrieve something from your drawers?
I keep their daily school fund allotments in my drawer. They know where it is and they go get it.
I have been known to stock up on things like batteries and toss them in a drawer.
We are all welcome into dad's drawer for a hanky or the change drawer.
I know permission is vital. Not saying there shouldn't be a need for privacy and permission.
But the crux of the problem is that he has kids and a live in that doesn't like kids.
That's never going to end well.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
So you've never put something of theirs in your drawer by mistake?
They have never been instructed to retrieve something from your drawers?
I keep their daily school fund allotments in my drawer. They know where it is and they go get it.
I have been known to stock up on things like batteries and toss them in a drawer.
We are all welcome into dad's drawer for a hanky or the change drawer.
I know permission is vital. Not saying there shouldn't be a need for privacy and permission.
But the crux of the problem is that he has kids and a live in that doesn't like kids.
That's never going to end well.
If something of theirs is in my drawer by mistake, I will find it. And no, I do not keep family funds or batteries in my personal drawers. They are in a kitchen drawer.
If they need to borrow something of mine, they ask. They don't take.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
So you've never put something of theirs in your drawer by mistake?
They have never been instructed to retrieve something from your drawers?
I keep their daily school fund allotments in my drawer. They know where it is and they go get it.
I have been known to stock up on things like batteries and toss them in a drawer.
We are all welcome into dad's drawer for a hanky or the change drawer.
I know permission is vital. Not saying there shouldn't be a need for privacy and permission.
But the crux of the problem is that he has kids and a live in that doesn't like kids.
That's never going to end well.
If something of theirs is in my drawer by mistake, I will find it. And no, I do not keep family funds or batteries in my personal drawers. They are in a kitchen drawer.
If they need to borrow something of mine, they ask. They don't take.
Yeah. That would be a weird place to store batteries.
__________________
I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.
Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.
So you've never put something of theirs in your drawer by mistake?
They have never been instructed to retrieve something from your drawers?
I keep their daily school fund allotments in my drawer. They know where it is and they go get it.
I have been known to stock up on things like batteries and toss them in a drawer.
We are all welcome into dad's drawer for a hanky or the change drawer.
I know permission is vital. Not saying there shouldn't be a need for privacy and permission.
But the crux of the problem is that he has kids and a live in that doesn't like kids.
That's never going to end well.
If something of theirs is in my drawer by mistake, I will find it. And no, I do not keep family funds or batteries in my personal drawers. They are in a kitchen drawer.
If they need to borrow something of mine, they ask. They don't take.
Yeah. That would be a weird place to store batteries.
Unless they are for sex toys, and then I sure don't want them rifling through that!
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
Well, obviously we do things differently in our house.
As for not saying she doesn't like kids, I think it can be inferred by feeling the need to spy on them.
__________________
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
So you've never put something of theirs in your drawer by mistake?
They have never been instructed to retrieve something from your drawers?
I keep their daily school fund allotments in my drawer. They know where it is and they go get it.
I have been known to stock up on things like batteries and toss them in a drawer.
We are all welcome into dad's drawer for a hanky or the change drawer.
I know permission is vital. Not saying there shouldn't be a need for privacy and permission.
But the crux of the problem is that he has kids and a live in that doesn't like kids.
That's never going to end well.
If something of theirs is in my drawer by mistake, I will find it. And no, I do not keep family funds or batteries in my personal drawers. They are in a kitchen drawer.
If they need to borrow something of mine, they ask. They don't take.
Yeah. That would be a weird place to store batteries.
Unless they are for sex toys, and then I sure don't want them rifling through that!
__________________
I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.
Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.
Actually, I start stocking up on batteries about this time of year. For things they get Christmas.
Batteries, adapters, earplugs, connections.
I keep things like school supplies, pencils, markers, tape, that kind of thing in there too.
If I leave it out some where else, my nephew and niece get into it. And things go missing.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
Those drawers that daughter was allegedly going through were in her father's room as well.
Could have gone in the wrong drawer by mistake.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
There is no proof provided that says the daughter was even going through the drawers. Without proof, it's the word of one against the other.
The Father actually caught the GF spying.
So.
The only proof he has is of a spying GF and not a nosey daughter.
Let's not confuse the issue or make the daughter the villain.
The LW is asking how to deal with the GF.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
There is no proof provided that says the daughter was even going through the drawers. Without proof, it's the word of one against the other.
The Father actually caught the GF spying.
So.
The only proof he has is of a spying GF and not a nosey daughter.
Let's not confuse the issue or make the daughter the villain.
The LW is asking how to deal with the GF.
But the father isn't doubting it's true, so why should we? He says:
She also says she captured images of my daughter rifling through her dresser drawers. What do I do?
My first answer would be to look at the images and see what exactly happened. Maybe the daughter was just snooping, maybe she was stealing, maybe she was looking for something of her father's and picked the wrong drawer. That would determine where he should go from here.
I agree with husker and LL on this. Kids don't need to be going through the drawers of an adult. The only time my kids get into a drawer is if I've asked them to. And the only time I've ever asked is when I tell SS to get the nail clippers out of my top bedside table. If you want something of mine then ask. You do not go traipsing through my things to find it. Everyone in the house deserves respect and privacy. I would bet ten bucks if the g/f was snooping through the girls bedroom both the girl and her father would go bat chit crazy.
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“You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I'll rise!” ― Maya Angelou