I hate these long, two week blocks of contact - urgh!
DSS is slowly reverting to his 'learned helplessness' state - he's been here a week and it's obviously a lot of effort to have to think like a 9 year old here. I reduced him to tears a couple of days ago by explaining that he was quite capable of taking responsibility for his own library card - he's terrified of the independence!
His behaviour had deteriorated - and he's begin to exhibit behaviours we thought we had made some progress on - table manners have gone out the window again, he's resumed the gormless standing in the middle of a room waiting to be directed to breathe and he's begun eavesdropping, interrupting and trying to see/read paperwork etc that adults (not just me and DP) are reading!
This is where the problem with DD lies. Currently, she is only allowed to use her Smartphone in family areas of the house, (because her Dad bought her an unlimited data bundle and I want to be able to supervise her Internet access).
DSS openly looks over her shoulder and reads texts she sends to and receives from her Dad. Understandably, this pisses her off!
I've told her that she can say something if he's intruding - but she hates conflict, so simmers quietly under the surface and I'm afraid she's going to blow up one day!
DP and I keep telling DSS but it's just not getting through and I'm already the WSM for expecting him to behave appropriately for his age; asking him to think before he speaks, to help out with household things he doesn't enjoy etc.
Just a vent really - it is unrealistic to suddenly expect a family to gel for 2 weeks when the rest of the year they only spend 2 days a week together!
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Step-parenting
DSS behaviour undermining rules for DD!
62 replies
NotaDisneyMum · 12/08/2012 16:15
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