Question
My new husband and I have a combined family of my son and his two boys, all teens, and have just finally moved into one home together.
We are now trying to set up reasonable, definite limits for electronic/media use in our new household. My son is used to that, but his 2 have manipulated their "softy" dad into nearly unlimited access in the past. His older son, who is VERY obsessed w/internet & social media, literally said to his dad last night, "we have a right to internet and it's your job as a parent to provide us what we want, and give us things we want to do"! I was floored!! (My son has always entertained himself easily, and although he begs for more media access too sometimes, he respects my authority and limits.)
My husband has always had a very hard time limiting his sons, as he is admittedly afraid of their displeasure and push-back, and fears greatly being "the ogre". (Their mother, with whom they live 2/3 of the time, apparently provides unlimited access and gadgets for them).
How do I, as a new stepmother, deal with this "entertain me!" attitude of my 2 stepsons? How can my husband & I tame the electronic monster together, w/out my treading on his toes as a father? He agrees with your parenting ideas in principle (as well as Love & Logic, which we took a class in), but often just won't follow through--very frustrating for me at times!
