Their Son Wanted to Start Lifting Weights, But Mom and Dad Disagree, Revealing Deeper Issues At Play.

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In a blended family’s intimate narrative, the Original Poster (OP) navigates the treacherous waters of co-parenting with her fiancé, who isn’t her son’s biological father. As their parenting styles clash, a particular confrontation emerges over the young boy’s desire to lift weights, revealing the deeper dynamics of their relationship. But when OP and her fiancé lock horns over the seemingly trivial matter, their argument unveils much more than just their opinions on childhood fitness.

A Blended Family’s Dynamics

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OP, a 27-year-old woman, has been in a relationship with her 29-year-old fiancé for five years. OP has an 11-year-old son from a previous relationship when she was a teenager. The birth father is largely absent, leaving OP’s fiancé as his primary father figure.

Claiming the Role

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The fiancé proudly and sincerely regards the boy as his own child, showing genuine concern and fatherly love. Despite this bond, OP sometimes finds it challenging, given their differing parenting styles.

Clash of Principles

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Over time, OP realizes significant differences in their parenting styles. While she sets boundaries for her son, she tends to be more lenient. Her fiancé, on the other hand, often opts for a stricter approach.

Desire for Strength

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The boy wishes to start lifting weights, particularly the 2lb dumbbells owned by OP and her fiancé. He shares feelings of inadequacy, feeling weaker than his peers, especially as some have mocked him.

An Opportunity for Self-Esteem

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Given her son’s reasons, OP permits him to use the dumbbells. She believes that this small exercise could boost his self-esteem and alleviate his feelings of physical inadequacy. She remembers what kids that age were like when she was young.

Fiancé’s Firm Stance

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When the boy excitedly approaches the dumbbells, the fiancé instantly objects. His stance is clear: the boy is too young for weightlifting, even with the lightweight dumbbells. He believes the strain on growing muscles can do more harm than good.

Voice of Disappointment

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The boy, taken aback by the sudden refusal, relays the denial to his mother. His voice is filled with confusion and frustration as he repeats the fiancé’s words, emphasizing his age as the main reason for the denial.

A Mother’s Confrontation

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Once the boy is away, OP directly addresses the issue with her fiancé, wanting to understand his reasoning. She feels undermined and doesn’t comprehend his inflexible stance. She believes the small weights won’t harm her son.

Fiancé’s Defense

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The fiancé becomes highly defensive when questioned. He insists on his belief that an 11-year-old has no business lifting weights. The conviction in his voice shows a deep-rooted belief that OP is curious to explore.

Struggling with Autonomy

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OP asserts that it’s ultimately her choice whether her son can lift weights. The argument pivots to the broader topic of parental autonomy, raising the issue of boundaries and shared decisions. She wants to make it clear where she stands.

Weighing the Risks

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OP points out the weights’ insignificant size, highlighting that they are unlikely to cause harm. She firmly believes that the potential self-esteem benefits outweigh any risks. What harm can it do?

The Cloud of Criticism

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The disagreement escalates when the fiancé accuses OP of being inconsiderate. He emphasizes that he has valid reasons for his stance and that his only intent is to protect the boy from improper training exercises.

Seeking External Opinions

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Torn by the confrontation and doubting her decisions, OP considers she might be wrong. With emotions running high, she yearns for an objective viewpoint. Through the advice from her friends, OP recognizes the difficulty of navigating their roles, responsibilities, and relationships.

Was The Mother’s Behavior Appropriate?

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OP also decided to post her story online for the feedback and perspective of the internet community. The readers in the forum had a lot of mixed views on the matter.

Forum Responds

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One reader said, “Two-pound dumbbells are perfectly safe for an 11-year-old. It is good and healthy for kids to be active, and if that’s the option you have for him to be active, there isn’t anything wrong with that.”

Another Commenter Thinks

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Another responder wrote, “I don’t see the harm in your kid lifting weights- especially small ones, but that’s not even the point. They are weights you already have. You’re not spending money on something that can be a whim for him.”

A Third View on The Story

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A different person stated, “Why are you letting him overstep? Why aren’t you protecting your son? Why does this man have so much power over you? Do you feel like equals? Because he seems comfortable with shutting down your son ‘because he said so.'”

A Final Perspective on the Matter

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Another reader commented, “This might not be popular, but as a child who grew up with a stepfather who bullied his stepchildren aggressively to the point where my mom couldn’t fight back anymore. Please rethink this ‘strictness’ dynamic.”