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Step-parenting

Dsd...can actually be quite a nasty piece of work!

18 replies

swollowmeup · 27/06/2012 18:47

So it's slightly complicated set up. My dh is her step dad from previous relationship. But she grew up thinking he was her actual dad. He has always loved her the same. Dsd's mum told dsd the truth after she had split with my now dh. Oh confusing from the start I hear you cry! Please stick with me....

So dh and I have been together for 4 years and recently married. First time dh has been married. So I'm pretty used to step parenting as dh's son lives with us permanently. It's tricky but he knows where he stands with me.

After a mc and 2 yrs of ttc I found out I was pg with our first baby together. I have Dcs from previous marriage. soon after unrelated dh had am argument with dsd and she didn't come to see us for 6 months. She is 15. He couldn't make her as not his biological dd. When baby was born, she came over to stake her claim. I understood the insecurity and welcomed her back into fold. As I do with all dh's children. However I'm beginning to be worn down by the continual verbal battering from dsd. Shes had a go at me about the fact my baby is not in a routine several times. I'm bf as I have with all my dcs although ds has a formula feed if I'm at work. Her mum had a baby 6 months prior to me so this makes dsd the authority on bringing up children. She has opinions on my choice of highchair, my amount of washing, the fact I choose to bf and her mum didn't. I have never slated forums fed babies just defended my position on the proven stats of bf. But tbh it's getting me down..,,I do do thd my rules in my house thing. I am experienced mum of 5 and with dh's ds it makes 6 Dcs in the house full time. Her mum refuses to collect my dss putting her new sons routine first. Dsd isn't even allowed a shower after new baby has gone to bed as it will waken him. It sounds like a military operation!

Last wkd she had a massive go at me as our little ds was crying in the night. None other of our Dcs have ever moaned about this to me. I'd rather he was sleeping too but little ds is a whole floor away from her bedroom so although she may hAve heard him it's not like shes sleeping next to him.

I'm feeling quite worn down by her constant...my mum does it like this...,after 4 years!!!

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lopsided · 27/06/2012 19:42

15 yr olds can be a bit of a pain, but re read your post and you can see why this one is. Her dad is not her dad, everyone has had a new baby and no one wants to put her first. Whilst that is all explainable to an adult, it must suck to be her.

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EclecticShock · 27/06/2012 19:49

I can understand why you are worn down...but I can also understand why she has issues with you. Her dad was her dad until she found out he wasn't... Poor girl, very confusing and she is probably feeling threatened.

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swollowmeup · 27/06/2012 19:58

I know all of this but none of it was my fault! All happened way before I knew dh. I have always tried my best to be welcoming and friendly! I understand it's not ideal but just don't know how to deal with her sometimes. Shes very catty. Dh doesn't want to say anything coz scared of loosing her Sad

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GeometricGiraffe · 27/06/2012 20:05

Do you have a decent relationship with her mum?

If not, then what your DSD is saying might not be straight from the horses mouth, so to speak. It's possible she is reiterating what you do with your newborn to her mum and her mum has offered opinions on your parenting style so she might be copying what her mum says. Just an idea, it may not be entirely her fault.

I also agree with lopsided that her new baby siblings are taking up both parents time and she may be feeling a bit jealous.

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swollowmeup · 27/06/2012 20:09

We have only ever spoken once. She's not an easy woman I'm afraid. She was desperate for dss to come and live with us as she couldn't cope, only to in his eyes replace him a month later. I'm very different to her I think.

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EclecticShock · 27/06/2012 20:13

I can imagine its very hard work, she is still a developing child though and needs extra support, meaning you and your DH might har to take some of the crap and try to come up wih ways to help her feel more secure. It's not her fault either.

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swollowmeup · 27/06/2012 20:13

Dss has lived with us 2 years. But if my son was living with my ex and his gf I would want more communication. She doesn't communicate just dictate unfortunately.

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MittzbethSalanderLovesJuice · 27/06/2012 20:30

Is it at all possible to turn her criticisms around into 'discussions'?

She is perhaps (badly) trying to have a role in this babies life. Who is essentially a sister to him?

So if she criticises your choice to BF, then (for example) mention a report you had read and ask her her opinion.
Maybe pre empt her by asking her for instance to check the baby's food isn't too hot.
Ask her to research something on the internet for you, even if you already know the answer.

I truly understand your frustration but something on me aches for this young girls sense of where she fits in to things.
I have experienced something similar and it is an awful age any way Confused

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swollowmeup · 27/06/2012 20:34

Although clearly I don't see things the same way as her mum I have never ever bad mouthed her in front of Dcs. I do find it hard that she favours her new baby apparently and doesn't see they all have needs equal to each other and I permanently have to pick up pieces where dss is concerned but I just get on with it. It's just the barrage of "clearly you know nothing" that gets at me!

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EclecticShock · 27/06/2012 20:49

She's only 15, you have 5 kids, you clearly have more experience. Don't let her get to you. That's maybe what she wants...

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swollowmeup · 27/06/2012 20:58

I know that's what she wants! A rise! I really do feel for her as I would never have lied to her in the first place. There was 2 years gap between her mum and dh getting together with me. In that time he never introduced anyone to his Dcs. Her mum on the other hand moved a new man in 3 weeks after dh was told he had to go! There have been 3 men since that I've known of and the new babies father is no longer there now either. Kicked out after he had paid for Xmas this year.

There's nothing I can do about any of that. I have been consistent with all of them. I don't indulge them. I'm very fair I hope. But I find it sooo rude. Angry

Considering her mum is clearly not perfect by anyone's standards I'm finding it harder and harder to bite my Tongue the more I am made out to be hopeless mother if the year, with a waking baby!

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EclecticShock · 27/06/2012 21:07

It must be very hard, but if she is attention seeking, ignore it and try to make her feel secure in other ways... Can you take her shopping or ask about boys... Meet her on her interests and terms. Being a teenager is very confusing and she is likely to lash out I'm the way she finds easiest when all she probably wants is sometime to take an interest and help her.

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brdgrl · 27/06/2012 21:14

I agree, don't let her get to you.

Which is exactly what I tell myself about DSD, but let's be honest, it isn't that easy. I can't tell from your OP anything about what sort of person you are yourself (I mean, are you confident, assertive, a peacemaker, quick-tempered...), but I do know that some people find it much easier to let constant criticism run off their back! I find it drags me down, I feel bullied, and I end up quite depressed. So I know how tough it can be.

And if your DSD is anything like mine (or like lots of other teenage girls), she thinks she knows quite a bit more about things than she does, doesn't have much respect for 'life experience', and has a head full of facts that she's picked up and is bursting to 'educate' you with. Put that together with the dynamic of step-parenting (we can't always interact with our DSDs as we would with our own kids, are expected to tolerate a lot more disrespect than from our own kids, and are discouraged from offering even constructive criticism) - and it is very tough.

It does in my experience get better. DSD has really pulled back - she still drives me crazy with her lectures on topics I am quite familiar with, her insistance on incorrect 'facts', her assumption that we are intellectual/educational peers, or her stubborness - it's incredibly frustrating - but she doesn't offer parenting advice anymore. I think because I just ignored it! I did make a point of explaining why I did things the way I did, or made the choices I did, but I was very careful not to encourage her to think that she was going to participate in the parenting decisions.

Don't feel you have to take it, but do try not to take it too seriously. And you might try scripting things - come up with just three or four phrases/replies, and just use these every time she gives you unsolicited advice or criticism. If you don't vary them, just keep repeating them. Don't get drawn into the discussion every time, just repeat repeat repeat!
"Really? How very interesting."
"That's an interesting point of view."
"Yes, I know that works well for some people."
"Isn't it wonderful how different things work for different people!"
and repeat.

As for complaining about the baby crying - try to just laugh (even if it comes out forced!) and say "that's what babies do! Sorry!"

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swollowmeup · 27/06/2012 21:17

She used to let me take her out but now it's most definitely no. I tried really hard last time and she said she needed to wash her hair! I really tried but shes said she only comes over to see her dad. But dh was called out working last time she was here and so that was my fault. her grandmother came to collect her and she went home without even saying goodbye. Shes trying to make trouble and now lying about things too. Dh fortunately believes me and knows shes just feeling a bit woo, but my god shes making it hard.

I don't suppose there's a kind tactful way of making her understand ITs not my fault and I've only ever encouraged dh's relationship with his Dcs.

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swollowmeup · 27/06/2012 21:24

Oh brdgrl how you know it so well! I love your rehearsed lines, that's fab! I'm not good at confrontation at all so this for me is great. I always think of z brilliant thing to say afterwards that would be diplomatic etc, but clearly I need to be better prepared.

She's v intelligent and taking some of her gcses early but I'm no fool. I run my own company and a v large family mostly quite successfully. Strange how a 15 yr old girl had stumped me. I just don't want to come in between dh and her that's why I haven't lashed out.

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EclecticShock · 27/06/2012 21:58

Take a step back and try to detach yourself. I understand it's difficult but I believe from wnat you've said that eventually with communication things may ease. Good luck :)

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theredhen · 28/06/2012 08:43

Brdgrl, I say some of those things too to my 16 yr old DSD! Smile

I too get the "my Mum does this and that" sort of comments insinuating that what I do is wrong Hmm.

It's a real shame because as time goes on I am more and more likely to simply avoid conversation with her. Her Dad never corrects her on anything for his fear of losing her so I just don't bother to engage with her anymore, actively choosing to be in the opposite room to her. DP moans about her lack of manners and respect as if it's something out of his control Hmm.

OP, I think you just have to keep on rebuffing her comments with some similar to Brdgrl suggestions or my favourite when she is asking why I do such and such, is to just say "why not?" and shrug my shoulders. It doesn't drag me into an argument or discussion where I feel I have to defend myself and generally shuts her up because then she might actually have to justify why it is so important I use different cutlery for dinner or make the tea in a different way etc. when we both know it is irrelevant.

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BertieBotts · 28/06/2012 08:52

Oh yes I definitely think instead of justifying your choice with facts about BF use some kind of neutral phrase like brdgrl suggested. You know you don't need to justify your choice to her or anyone and if you get into doing so it will just make you feel defensive and got at.

15 is a really hard age without all of this other stuff happening. Hopefully as she grows up a bit it will become less of a struggle and she will be more mature, and she'll appreciate you and DH being consistently there in hindsight. She'll probably realise when she's a bit older too that you have always been kind to her, she's just pushing at that now.

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