Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

How should I handle this?

12 replies

honestlynotagain · 23/12/2018 22:17

I have a step daughter. She is lovely, we are quite close in age (8 year gap) and she is in her early 20's.
I married her dad 2 years ago and I have a DS with him who is 9 months.
We haven't seen DD since we got married (she was my only bridesmaid) we've always been in good terms but she's quite private and doesn't really offer information or share anything that goes on in her life.
We do ask and take an interest, but I never feel good about pushing her to share so never have.
Since we got married we talked about arranging a catch up etc but she's always been busy. Then found out I was pregnant and she said she was happy for us.
There was no indication that there was a problem and she has always been polite and friendly when chatting but has resisted any attempts of meeting up and as a result she has not met her half brother.
A week ago, we decided to go visit her (we didn't message first as we wouldn't have stayed if she didn't want us to etc) when we got there a stranger answered the door and it turns out that she'd moved back in March.
I feel really sad that something is broken between us. (I know it's not the same in every case but gny dad recently left my mum and moved away. I was desperate to keep contact but he wasn't so bothered with me)
I'm not sure how to go forward?
I'd appreciate any advice or words of wisdom.

OP posts:
honestlynotagain · 24/12/2018 14:17

Anyone?

OP posts:
FireworksAndSparklers · 24/12/2018 14:28

Moved back where?

Have you tried telling her how you feel? Just simply - don't overdo it, but be authentic. Tell her you're guessing maybe it's hard for her having a young step mum and a baby brother but you'd really like to have a good relationship with her and what can you do to help with that. Don't push it, though.

I'm glad she wasn't there when you turned up - really rude and it would totally throw someone who is struggling to deal with things or anyone who is just super busy with her own life!

Troels · 24/12/2018 14:34

I think she means, back in March she had moved house.
Any idea where she has moved to OP?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Floralnomad · 24/12/2018 14:38

When did you last speak to her ? If it were me I’d ring her and say that you understand she’s moved and where is she living now and just invite her to pop in over Christmas . I can’t really see what else you can do .

CormoranStrike · 24/12/2018 14:50

I’d worry - has her dad had any contact? Has anyone had any contact? Random simply telling me they didn’t live there would set alarm bells ringing until proven otherwise

honestlynotagain · 24/12/2018 15:13

Thanks for your answers. We do talk/message regularly (at least once a week)
She never told us she had moved. @Fireworks, I see what you're saying but I don't think it's rude of my DH to visit his daughter unanounced. We often drop by to see family and vice versa. I waited in the car and like I said, we wouldn't have stayed if it had been a problem.
I've just got DH to find out her new address. So we know where she is now. I've just messaged asking if she'd like to catch up when she's free and she replied, "sounds great, I'll let you know." DH and I have had several replies like this previously so I don't ask as often now.

OP posts:
honestlynotagain · 24/12/2018 15:15

@Cormoranstrike I am worried but she is safe. I just think she doesn't want to share things with us and I'm struggling on how to proceed.

OP posts:
Ohyesiam · 24/12/2018 15:18

Tell her how you feel, that it’s obvious there is a problem, and ask if there’s anything you can do. Tell her you care about her/ love her and that you really like it to work between you.

honestlynotagain · 24/12/2018 15:19

She still lives with her mum, they both moved. DH and her mum are civil to each other but rarely talk.

OP posts:
WhoTookTheChristmasCookie · 24/12/2018 15:31

I imagine her dad marrying and having a child with someone who is just 8 years older than her may be a struggle for her.

If she needs the time to get her head together then you forcing a relationship is going to help, nor is it going to make her come round any quicker.

Take a step back. Let her have a relationship with her dad (that might even need rebuilding) and go from there.

Oh and don't just turn up at her door - awful thing to do, especially when she's made it quite clear that she's distancing herself. A home is a persons sanctuary, where they can retreat from everything they're not wanting to deal with at that moment - encroaching on that isn't fair.

WhoTookTheChristmasCookie · 24/12/2018 15:33

*isn't going to help

honestlynotagain · 24/12/2018 15:36

I should add, we've been in each others lives for 10 years.
I do think she needs to rebuild her relationship with her dad. I just wondered if there was anything I ought to be doing to help. I don't want to blind side her or push but I'm also aware that it might look like we're doing nothing.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread