Can He Discipline My Child?

by Lara
(WA)

Where do I begin...
Well to make a long story short... I met this married man 2 years ago. We had an affair together. Totally wrong, I know this. He is now getting a divorce and we are still seeing each other off and on. And when I say off and on I mean he breaks it off with me every other week. No joke.

I love the man but I endure emotional and mental pain from him. But this is not my concern or question...
I have an 8 yr old daughter. She does not have a father in her life. I am all she has and I spoil her in many ways. At times she is very disrespectful to me and other adults by not listening and arguing. So my off and on again boyfriend wants to discipline her.

Now he does not tell her or I he loves us, he is in and out of our lives every other week, and does not live with us. And I have yet to meet his daughter; but he wants to discipline mine. I have told him the only thing he is allowed to do is send her to her room if she becomes difficult. He says she needs more discipline or she is going to grow up thinking the world is going to do everything for her. And he says she is going to be a runaway. (hes a cop) So his threat to me is "then I better make sure she is respectful or he's gonna leave because he is not going to be around a child that tells him what to do".

Should I let a man who can't commit discipline my child? And how is this going to affect her growing up? Please help... What is the best thing for me to do and still protect my child and try to manage this rollercoaster relationship?