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AIBU?

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Family drama

266 replies

littlemiss85 · 05/04/2024 15:39

4 years ago, my stepchild out of the blue didn't want to see my other half, me, sibs extended family, etc. As things escalated (lawyers etc), tall tales were told by said child (proven reinforced learnt behaviour)to justify refusal to see us.Being in the job I am, I had to inform my employer of some of the content. Also, tall tales were said to school, which DD also attended. Made to feel like criminals, shunned by people, etc. Resulted in no contact for 4 years. In the last 6 months, the other half has been in contact with said child. Via other parent in a half-hearted apology acknowledged that all said 4 years ago was all lies. In the 4 years we were absent, behaviours and accusations escalated. Thus far, we have kept out DCs away from meeting their sib, and I have made it clear that I do not want a relationship with the now teenage child or have them in our home. Arguments had occurred but came to an understanding n things had been OK. However, the other half now wants to invite the child to our home. He's changing our agreed boundaries already, which I feared would happen.
Our marriage went through a rough patch as he suffered and tried to cope with his child refusing to see him. One DC has already gone through being shunned by their older sibling n one no memory as a baby. I'm trying to protect myself, my kids, and my career. Now I'm worried about my marriage again if he pushes for his oldest to be welcomed back into the fold.
AIBU

OP posts:
Crumpleton · 06/04/2024 21:41

YANBU..

At 10 she was very young to make up lies that could have caused you and your DH to be pretty much prosecuted, if it did get that far.

Now she has told her DM that she lied I'd expect her to let everyone else that was involved at the time know the truth, to me if she hasn't/won't I'd see that as her not facing up to what she has done and personally while I'd never stop her Dad from seeing her I wouldn't want to be around her.

I always feel a mugger will mug you.
A murder will murder you.
But with a liar you never know where you are.

SiousieSoo · 06/04/2024 20:32

Concannon88 · 06/04/2024 20:11

I'm on about you not wanting much to do with it before any solution has been tried. Your husband also sounds like a wet lettuce and incredibly lack Lustre when it comes to his first born.

You are coming across as a deeply unpleasant bully now.

PapaIndigoTangoAlpha · 06/04/2024 20:15

No you're not unreasonable to protect yourself, your own DC and your job from possible further lies. That includes not having her in your home. If your other half doesn't like it though, I guess all you can do is separate.

Suziethefluffpig · 06/04/2024 20:11

I wonder if her mum has had enough and attempts are being made to move her in with dad? At least part-time?

I’d insist on SW funded assessment by a clinical psychologist. After all the girl has admitted to telling malicious lies and is violent. This isn’t standard teenage behaviour.

Irrespective of whether therapy is pursued or not, it would help shed some light on what the issue is and what the outcome might be.

If, as someone has suggested, there are sociopathic tendencies, then I suspect the focus might be on behaviour management rather than absolute change. But any future accusations would be considered in light of this diagnosis.

Concannon88 · 06/04/2024 20:11

littlemiss85 · 06/04/2024 20:04

@Concannon88 what are u on about. Out of ideas? Where did I say this. I am not her parent and my husband has little say as it is at the moment.

I'm on about you not wanting much to do with it before any solution has been tried. Your husband also sounds like a wet lettuce and incredibly lack Lustre when it comes to his first born.

littlemiss85 · 06/04/2024 20:08

My husband is still very much in the dark with what exactly is happening. There is no open communication with DM. Most of what we know has been disclosed to MIL by DSD or her mum. He's trying to establish regular contact before jumping on n scaring her off with forcing her into help.

OP posts:
littlemiss85 · 06/04/2024 20:04

@Concannon88 what are u on about. Out of ideas? Where did I say this. I am not her parent and my husband has little say as it is at the moment.

OP posts:
AcrossthePond55 · 06/04/2024 19:53

@littlemiss85

Just that there's social work who have put things in place etc

Has your DH spoken to the SW since he's begun seeing his DD again, and what the SW's advice is as far as reintroducing her into your family circle? It may very well be that it's not even in his DD's best interests to start reintegrating right now. If she doesn't fully understand the damage she did, and is not truly remorseful for it then perhaps it's not in her best interests to ignore the elephant in the room or to act like all is forgiven.

Right now it sounds as if he's sort of flying blind, not really knowing much about his DD's actual mental/behavioural health.

I'd also think it would be something the SW should know in order to integrate your DH into his DD's care plans.

brocollilover · 06/04/2024 19:51

SiousieSoo · 06/04/2024 19:45

Not sure you can force a child that age into therapy if she does not want to participate. If she is fundamentally incapable of being honest I don't think therapy will work at getting to the heart of the issues.

it doesn’t seem to have even been suggested let alone pursued

SiousieSoo · 06/04/2024 19:45

brocollilover · 06/04/2024 19:34

yes but won’t be identified if no therapy and, at 14, she can’t pursue herself

Edited

Not sure you can force a child that age into therapy if she does not want to participate. If she is fundamentally incapable of being honest I don't think therapy will work at getting to the heart of the issues.

brocollilover · 06/04/2024 19:34

SiousieSoo · 06/04/2024 19:29

Give over and stop hectoring. You have spectacularly failed to comprehend the serious and deep seated issues this girl has and the fact that she is dangerous. Maybe she is sociopathic and has no capacity for insight or regret. All you can see is a child but sociopathy can be present in children as I understand it.

yes but won’t be identified if no therapy and, at 14, she can’t pursue herself

SiousieSoo · 06/04/2024 19:29

Concannon88 · 06/04/2024 19:07

Exactly. dad and step mum have tried nothing, but are already out of ideas. Smh

Give over and stop hectoring. You have spectacularly failed to comprehend the serious and deep seated issues this girl has and the fact that she is dangerous. Maybe she is sociopathic and has no capacity for insight or regret. All you can see is a child but sociopathy can be present in children as I understand it.

brocollilover · 06/04/2024 19:21

littlemiss85 · 06/04/2024 18:21

@brocollilover people saying this new taking a massive jump into the unknown. Right now we have a lot to talk about. If he takes the stance that regardless of what I think and feel that she can come to our home then it will be an issue. We aren't there yet.

when do you plan on having this chat if he’s really applying pressure to move the agreed boundaries?

DoreenonTill8 · 06/04/2024 19:14

Concannon88 · 06/04/2024 19:07

Exactly. dad and step mum have tried nothing, but are already out of ideas. Smh

So totally their fault then, and her DM who she lives with is of course nothing to do with seeking help for her?

Concannon88 · 06/04/2024 19:07

brocollilover · 06/04/2024 17:35

it’s not like even therapy has been pursued yet

Exactly. dad and step mum have tried nothing, but are already out of ideas. Smh

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 06/04/2024 19:06

DH is not behaving rationally IMHO. His daughter has made false accusations against him, and against her now ex stepfather, accusations which have also tainted you and affected your career.

And he wants to bring her into your home. 😳 Someone ( not you) needs to point out to him that the last time this was happening, disaster ensued. Is there no one in his life ( a parent, a priest, possibly the lawyer who acted for your family in the last kerfuffle) who can point out the dangers and irresponsibility of just forging ahead with this plan?

Yes, he has a responsibility towards his child, but he also has a responsibility towards his wife ( you) and his other children. Contact outside the home for the time being seems to be the obvious solution.

littlemiss85 · 06/04/2024 18:28

Just to reca:
November he began having contact again. Has met 5 times since. We had heated discussions them that I didn't want to pursue a relationship bit in time once he had established some.lind if regular contact and was 'behaving' he could gradually introduce our children into the equation. This was all with the understanding that there contact was away from our home.

Now:
He's dropped into convo her having contact with sibs and coming to our for lunch etc.
We haven't had a full discussion about this as I'm to upset and know it'll end up an argument. So he hasn't said x y and z nor have I.

OP posts:
TheSpoonyNavyReader · 06/04/2024 18:26

Willyoujustbequiet · 06/04/2024 17:56

I'm flattered you've copied my vocabulary but originality is more persuasive.

Everyone is entitled to boundaries surely. Not just certain people you happen to agree with. Double standards are unfair.

😂

littlemiss85 · 06/04/2024 18:21

@brocollilover people saying this new taking a massive jump into the unknown. Right now we have a lot to talk about. If he takes the stance that regardless of what I think and feel that she can come to our home then it will be an issue. We aren't there yet.

OP posts:
brocollilover · 06/04/2024 17:59

littlemiss85 · 06/04/2024 11:37

@Prydddan no offence taken. My marriage isn't in trouble but I do anticipate it becoming a problem.

surely it is already if he’s unwilling to agree to time passing before in your home?

brocollilover · 06/04/2024 17:56

bellezarara · 06/04/2024 17:54

The dh wants to start bringing his dd home.

yes and when she’s said… not now but let’s take things very slowly and see how goes after a prolonged period

hes refusing to?

well it’s dead in the water surely

Willyoujustbequiet · 06/04/2024 17:56

TheSpoonyNavyReader · 06/04/2024 17:07

It was a response to your bizarre post of boundaries are not one way.

I'm flattered you've copied my vocabulary but originality is more persuasive.

Everyone is entitled to boundaries surely. Not just certain people you happen to agree with. Double standards are unfair.

bellezarara · 06/04/2024 17:54

brocollilover · 06/04/2024 17:51

and what has the dh said?

Edited

The dh wants to start bringing his dd home.

brocollilover · 06/04/2024 17:51

TheSpoonyNavyReader · 06/04/2024 17:47

That is what she has said..........

and what has the dh said?

TheSpoonyNavyReader · 06/04/2024 17:47

brocollilover · 06/04/2024 17:46

exactly

or if i was the op id say he needs to meet her away from the home and ensure she has therapy and if no drama after a prolonged time… then tentatively she would be allowed in the home and to see siblings again

That is what she has said..........