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AIBU?

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Dreading step-daughter coming home

879 replies

AquaAnsie · 19/12/2024 15:45

DH and I have been together for 7 years, married for 3. He has one DD, she's 24. I have 4 DC, DS is 26 then DDs who are 25, 23, and 20.
My two middle DC have autism, they have always really struggled with socialising and my 23 and 20 year olds live at home, my 25 year old lives 5 minute walk away.
My children and DSD went to school together, she was a year below my eldest DD and a year above my middle DD. My DD's really struggled in school, which wasn't made any better by bullying. DSD was part of the group who did a lot of the bullying (all very sporty, very pretty, middle class girls picking on those who hadn't quite settled, were from lower income families). DSD claims she was never the one doing the bullying but my DDs really struggle when she is around.

My 23 year old really struggles with her autism, she hates it when DSD is here, basically never leaves her room, she is very intimidated by DSD. DD also struggles with routine changes massively and is easily overstimulated.
When DSD is here, she plays music all the time, goes out with her friends and comes back at 2/3 am (she isn't loud but DD is a light sleeper and this will wake DD up and scare her to the point she won't sleep again). My DS also puts on an act when she is here, tries to buddy up with her BF and basically ignores his sisters and says they have to grow up.

Over the years there has been a lot of back and forth. We went out a walk one year and my eldest DD was complaining she was tired and DSD loudly muttered "if you lost weight you wouldn't be tired", she apologised but DD is very insecure so this has stuck with her (DD is a size 14/16 so not exactly big or anything, but DSD is a size 6 and very judgy of any overweight). In an argument about 2 years ago she also shouted at my DD's "You need to grow up, get a real job and stop getting my dad to fund your life". This obviously left sour taste but she again apologised.

DSD has a bit of a superiority complex, she is an Oxbridge grad, now doing her training contract for a law firm in London making crazy money for a grad (she's a couple years behind other her age on average as she did a gap year then a year abroad at uni). She looks down on my family as my DDs didn't go to uni (well DS did and he is the only one she actually gets on with).

On Sunday she and her boyfriend are coming back for a few days, they've only been dating since spring and her dad has met him but none of the rest of us have. As if DSD being home won't cause my girls enough stress, a total stranger in the house will make it 10x worse.

I just know their will be an argument, my DDs will get upset, DS will side with DSD as he thinks it makes him look smart.

DH never has any input, he thinks his DD can do no wrong, total princess in his eyes. He never outright agrees with her but he never tells her to say sorry or calls her out.

AIBU to be absolutely dreading her coming back even if it is just for 3/4 days? I find her so hard to be around at times!

OP posts:
Porkyporkchop · 19/12/2024 15:59

I think your dh is accommodating your children so you have to accommodate his. You can’t discard her because she doesn’t fit in with Your family. I suspect she feels outcast and that is why she is saying mean things.

SallyWD · 19/12/2024 15:58

This sounds like a difficult situation and DSD doesn't sound like the most pleasant of girls (to put it lightly!). I understand your dread but I don't see what you can do about it really. Your DH should definitely ask his daughter to be kind if she's making mean remarks to your daughters. Maybe you should have a heart to heart with him before she arrives.
However, my initial reaction is that your DH is living with two (or three?) of your children with another one living a few minutes away. I imagine the autism diagnosis means there are some challenges involved (I hope this isn't an offensive thing to say. Apologies, if so).
Your DH essentially has to be with your children a lot of the time, including sharing his home with your adult children. Therefore, you can't really complain when his only child comes and visits for a few days. Yes, I understand your dread. It's completely justified, but it's a situation that you just have to endure because it's his home too and he's entitled to spend time with his daughter.

AquaAnsie · 19/12/2024 15:57

Howmanycatsistoomany · 19/12/2024 15:55

I mean, they're all adults so I think you have to just let them get on with it. Who invited the boyfriend to stay?

DH, but DSD said she wasn't coming without him as they wanted to spend Christmas together, so wither it was here with him or they'd both go to his family.

This happened a couple of years ago too with her last boyfriend and it was awful.

OP posts:
Howmanycatsistoomany · 19/12/2024 15:55

I mean, they're all adults so I think you have to just let them get on with it. Who invited the boyfriend to stay?