Hi,
I would like some advice about my partner’s behaviour with my daughter. We have been together on and off for a couple of years now, and I have a 6 year old daughter with another man. My partner has always shown a lot of interest in her, and made lots of effort which I do appreciate, however when does it start to become a concern? For instance, I teach my daughter a lot about body autonomy and her right to say no to anyone who wants to touch her in any way. We made it a rule in the house that permission should always be sought before hugs etc.. anyway he regularly ‘forgets’ about this and just picks her up, hugs and kisses her whether she appears to want it or not. I reminded him about this yesterday and he’s made a big thing of it- he made her a card to say he is sorry and that he loves her. I don’t know why but my gut feels weird about this- maybe he’s just being nice? He seems to really want to be her friend, buys her lots of little gifts and is always offering to look after her if needed (I’ve only let this happen once). Is he just being helpful? Also I noticed that last week when we were supposed to be picking her up from my mums, but then the plan changed last minute and her dad went instead, I came down to see him looking really upset about it, saying he felt really sad that he wasn’t going to see her- his reaction seemed so over the top to me. Other than a few unsure moments and ‘gut’ feelings there’s been nothing else and he is a great partner- very kind and considerate . I don’t know if I am overthinking things or whether others would feel the same. Hence why I thought I would put it out there and see what you thought.
Thankyou for any help/ advice