Dear Prudence,
I am dating a single father. His kids are 12, 10, and 6. He has been pushing for us to move in together, but when his kids are here, it is like I disappear. His kids have zero boundaries and their father just lets them roll over him. I can’t leave any make-up or personal effects there because the kids will get into them and ruin them. If I get upset, he makes the excuse they are “just kids” and didn’t mean any harm. He can take the kids to Sephora himself if he wants them to ruin a few hundred dollars’ worth of product. I can’t wear any anything like a nice hairclip or headband without his oldest trying to take it.
I made the mistake of ordering pizza for a family movie night, but had to step out for a moment. When I got back, everyone was already eating. My boyfriend didn’t even save me a slice. Worse, he let his son waste the wings I wanted. A bite was taken out of every piece. I got upset and asked to speak to him outside. I told him how awful and disrespected I felt and he accused me of not liking his kids. I told him that wasn’t fair and I was going home. He has since apologized, but as much as I love him and no matter how good we are together, I feel this pattern will continue. Am I wrong? Am I crazy? I mean, my 4-year-old niece is better behaved than this.
—It Isn’t About the Pizza