Dad worries, his mother and fiancee fight over child
DEAR AMY: After my daughter was born, I fought for custody for four years. I was living with my parents during that time. My daughter stayed with my mom during the day while I worked because I could not afford child care and lawyer fees. Eventually I was granted full custody.
I moved out of my parents' home with my daughter when she turned 5. I met a very nice girl with a daughter of her own. Eventually we decided to move in together.
Our kids love being around each other and love both of us. The adjustment was very easy for all of us. We have now been together for over two years.
My mother helped me with the custody battle and I thank her for that, but now she thinks she can control every aspect of my daughter's life.
She will not allow my fiancee to parent my daughter, nor does she accept her daughter, who is 4.
My mom criticizes any choice I make with my fiancee. I am overly stressed out because I help my father after work and see my mom every day.
My fiancee takes my daughter to her after-school activities, which upsets my mom because she can no longer do it.
Despite my mother's disruptive behavior, I feel she should still see my daughter regularly. My fiancee thinks she should be cut off because she does not listen to any of our choices.
What can I do to keep the peace? -- Desperate Dad
DEAR DAD: Your fiancee's stance -- to cut off your mother completely -- makes her seem almost as intractable and controlling as your mother.
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