My boyfriend and I have been dating for a little over a year, in a relationship since last February. Feb will also be the year anniversary of me meeting his son, who is 2 1/2.

His son and I have always had a good connection--we got along off the bat. And now, after a year, are really building our own relationship. He loves to show me things, invites me to play, and (most of the time) listens to my instructions. SO encourages me to tell him when not to do things and discipline, which in my case, is usually a firm “NO” and explaining why we he can’t do what he does. For the most part, he’s a super pleasant kid: Says thank you without being prompted, plays nicely, and gets over disappointments (no cookies for breakfast) quickly.

HOWEVER, lately he is doing this new thing where he tells me, when I talk to him, “I’m talking to Daddy.” This morning he even “ssshd” me and said “be quiet, be quiet.” I’m guessing this comes his upset in my intrusion in he and his dad’s life. I get it, but I don’t want him to see me as the enemy. SO is pretty great at sticking up for me in this scenarios… But because he has biological ties to his kid, I’m pretty sure he’s naturally more empathetic.

Any tips, both for handling him and myself?? I’d like to toughen my skin and learn some tactics early.