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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Another ruined Christmas here - SD and DH hate me and if truth be told, the feelings are mutual

261 replies

NowIveDoneIt · 23/12/2011 15:14

Oh my where to start. When DSD came to live with us she brought with her their pet dog. I love dogs but I never expected the dog to be so wild. It has never had any form of discipline and basically just does what the hell it likes. Sleeps on beds, eats off Human's plates, you name it. I have tried to suggest training but like with everything else in this house, I may as well talk to the dog itself.
So yesterday I had a particularly hard and long day at work. 13 hour shift, 7am until 8pm. Half hour break inbetween, barely ate anything all day and by the time I got home I was starving and tired.
I come through the front door at 8.30 and the dog flew at me, knocked me back into the front door and the handle dug directly into a rib. Very much in pain I shouted "no" at the dog and pushed it away. I went into the kitchen to find DH and DSD stood talking. Trying to remain calm to avoid a row I said something along the lines of "see, this is why the dog needs training, it's just jumped up me and knocked me flying into the front door". As soon as I finished speaking they both collapsed into fits of giggles and DSD then starts making a fuss of the dog saying stuff like "Oh you naughty boy! were you excited?? aww bless!" etc etc.
Ignoring the obvious goading here I shove my dinner into the microwave and stand there waiting for it to cook. DSD then starts saying "oh 'fluffy' was on your bed fast asleep today, you shouldve seen him, he looked so cute!" Hmm DH then said her name in a "you're taking it too far" type warning and she toddled off giggling into the living room. I took my dinner out of the microwave and walked into the living room with it. The dog followed me, constantly nudging my arm, walking into me etc so I said "DH will you PLEASE control the dog". DSD then muttered "god" and tutted at me. Totally ignored, as usual I sat down with my dinner and the dog sat directly in front of me, staring at me and drooling. I HATE this at the best of times but knew one more incident would cause a row and I just wanted to eat my tea so I ignored it. DSD sits there giggling watching the dog. After a few minutes the dog takes a chance and tries to connect with my plate. I shout "NO!" at it and push its head away with my hand. DSD then shouts "oh my god, dad has just punched the dog in the face!!" Hmm DH comes in and says "why would you do that???" I said "I never PUNCHED the bloody thing! I pushed it!" and he replied with "oh well I'll just push you around then, see how you like it shall I!"

Now at this point I really am in danger of exploding so I say "tell you what, go and fuck yourself, you're clearly an imbecile incapable of reason. I'm eating upstairs". I KNOW I SHOULD NOT HAVE SAID IT.

I go upstairs and he shouts after me "no need to take it out of me and DSD and the dog just because you've had a bad day, lots of people work long hours, not just you!". I ignore this.

So I'm sat on my bed, eating my dinner (ffs) and I hear the unmistakable sound of DSD and the dog running up the stairs. A few minutes later the bedroom door flies open, the dog flies in, jumps straight onto the bed and knocks my dinner EVERYWHERE. DSD stands there, mortified and runs downstairs telling DH that she had "accidently" opened our bedroom door and the dog had "accidently" knocked my dinner everywhere and I was about to kick the dogs head in. At no point did I suggest I would be kicking anyone's head in. DH then runs upstairs saying "don't kick off, it was an accident!".

Now this is the bit that pushed the whole thing from a family row to divorce cards I think. Covered in korma sauce and past caring I popped my head into DSDs bedroom and said "Well, because of your stupid behaviour the dog is going to the vets tomorow to be put to sleep".

I don't know why I said it. I wish I hadn't. I can't explain what on earth made me do that but the next thing I know she is howling in her room and DH is shouting at me that I'm an evil little bitch and he wants a divorce.

DSD is 12 btw.

I've not seen either of them today. I assume divorce is still on the cards.

Merry fucking christmas.

OP posts:
nicknamenotinuse · 23/12/2011 15:18

I am 100% on your side, you said something in the heat of the moment. It caused upset but you were pushed to the max with their behaviour. Apologies all round I think.

HecateGoddessOfTwelfthNight · 23/12/2011 15:18

Sounds really stressful all round. I can completely see why you are so pissed off with your husband and step daughter but I have to say that was a terrible thing to say. I think you are going to have to apologise for saying that. - without apologising for being really mad.

Do you want to remain in the relationship? It really doesn't sound like anyone is happy. What do you want to do?

Kayano · 23/12/2011 15:18
Shock Shock Shock

I... Have no idea on this one

Shock
ivykaty44 · 23/12/2011 15:19

Hopefully the pair of brats will now leave you well alone and fuck off - lets hope so....

shakes head at laughing at someone getting hurt and then all the drama involved with accidents - they both need to grow the fuck up.

OldLadyKnowsSantaClaus · 23/12/2011 15:19

Is this a one-off row, or part of a pattern? They don't seem to have much respect for you.

HecateGoddessOfTwelfthNight · 23/12/2011 15:20

oh, and don't take it all on yourself - they are really in the wrong with how they treat you. You have got to do something. If they won't change - what are you prepared to do? Are you prepared to call time on the relationship?

ivykaty44 · 23/12/2011 15:20

actually, do they tried really hard to wind you up and be so unkind to see how you will react or does it all come naturally?

NowIveDoneIt · 23/12/2011 15:21

No I know I shouldn't have said it, it was a cruel thing to say - I was just trying to make her see how her actions could have crappy consequences for her too. It's not just a massive game goading people like this, she must learn surely?
Truth be told the relationship has been in trouble for quite a while now. This just may be the straw that broke the dogs camels back.

OP posts:
Annpan88 · 23/12/2011 15:21

You can admit what you said is wrong. Agree that everyone has things to be sorry for. Sadly they probably don't realise the way they treat you is so awful.

Is there a lot of this 'daddy and me club' business in your house?

kelly2000 · 23/12/2011 15:22

Do not speak to them, let them crawl to you. I would tell DH that as he has threatened you with violence, and verbally abused you divorce courts will not be the only thing he faces, and that he better calm down or you will report him to the police. And that if Dh and DSD want the dog not to be put down they better train it. If it had knocke dover a toddler, or tried to get food off a toddler and hurt it Dh would be facing prosecution and the dog would be put down.

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 23/12/2011 15:23

Well yes it was a silly and cruel thing to say, esp to a 12 year old! Sounds like you were stressed from a long day and everything pissed you off......

just a silly thing that got out of hand but you shouldnt have said that!

slavetofilofax · 23/12/2011 15:23

How would you feel about divorce?

That sort of thing in my own home would drive me crazy. If this is what has happened on one night, you must be spending a lot of time around a spoiled brat that clearly has no respect for you, as well as a very unsupportive husband.

I would seriously think about calling your dh's bluff. He needs to realise that soemthing has to change, and that something shouldn't be you.

HecateGoddessOfTwelfthNight · 23/12/2011 15:24

You are only human. Yes, it was a dreadful thing to say, but from what you describe, you live with people who totally take the piss and treat you with contempt.

Have you posted about your stepdaughter before? her and your husband ganging up against you all the time? huddling in corners, whispering and laughing? that sort of thing?

Perhaps it is time to call it a day, sad as that is.

SantasENormaSnob · 23/12/2011 15:24

I think divorce would be preferable to putting up with that tbh.

MJinSparklyStockings · 23/12/2011 15:24

Oh :(.

Sounds like you just lost it - my dsd used to go through a phase of deliberately winding me up - it was waking sleeping babies (who took hours to get off) with her - I tried to stay calm god knows I tried.

But one day I lost it - almost slapped her - put ds in car and went to my mums, and all the time I was strapping him in she was following me, shouting even to the point of sticking her head in car window.

She is absolutely lovely now and we have a fantastically warm relationship now, she has apologised and I have apologised (I also told her she was just a child and I shouldn't have lost it).

It marked a massive turning point though - in her realising I wasn't going to be walked over any more.

I felt like a terrible, terrible person. But it was just the final straw.

ThePathanKhansWitch · 23/12/2011 15:25

The dog does need training by the sound of it. I would be pissed as well.

DSD sounds immature, DH should have calmed situation down, not proceeded to wind you up. Awful. They owe you an apology.

shaketheshame · 23/12/2011 15:26

I'm on your side ! I feel sorry for you.

kelly2000 · 23/12/2011 15:26

They sound liek a pair of bullies. Why woudl you want to be bullie din your own home, and have a dog put above you. i woudl tell DH to leave and take his brat and dog with him. Then have a nice weekend by yourself, or with other family spending the time relaxing instead of rushing around slaving after them, and being bullied. To be honets I woudl rather spend christmas day in a bubble bath, than with them.

MJinSparklyStockings · 23/12/2011 15:27

And I had DHs support - poor poor you.

If this is a regular event him and her against you - you'd be better off out of there. Can you go somewhere else for Christmas and leave them to it.

We have dinner for 10 - 1 more won't hurt :)

NowIveDoneIt · 23/12/2011 15:28

It wasn't like this at first, in the year DSD came to live with us DH was big on ideas of discipline and respect etc, it just all started to deteriorate after that first year, not just with DSD but our relationship in general.
I'd never have the dog put down but it really might hurt someone one day. A big uncontrollable dog is a danger, no matter how "cute" it is. And this coming from a huge dog lover such as myself.
I hate christmas, everything seems so much worse at this time of year.
I don't know what to think about divorce. It's an odd sensation, preparing for Christmas Eve festivities whilst also thinking about a new year's divorce.

OP posts:
ImperialBlether · 23/12/2011 15:29

Oh god, OP, you can't live like this. Why don't you find yourself a little flat to live in? It would be so lovely to be away from those three lunatics.

Is anyone else wondering whether her husband works as many hours?

youarekidding · 23/12/2011 15:29

yes, bad thing to say but everyone has their limits and it's sounds like you DSD has no respect for you and her father is not doing anything about it - in fact he's actively encouraging it.

NowIveDoneIt · 23/12/2011 15:31

MJ that is lovely, thank you :) To be honest, the quicker Christmas comes and goes the better Sad

OP posts:
HecateGoddessOfTwelfthNight · 23/12/2011 15:31

Sad you poor thing.

This is no way to live, you know. You deserve to be happy and to be treated with respect.

TeapotsInJune · 23/12/2011 15:32

I really, really feel for you. I love dogs but you were being provoked (not by the dog either.) You could have been seriously hurt if the dinner had been hotter as well!

Just apologise for what you said and if they want to take it seriously - well - I don't know but for heaven's sake we all say things when angry ... !