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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Another ruined Christmas here - SD and DH hate me and if truth be told, the feelings are mutual

261 replies

NowIveDoneIt · 23/12/2011 15:14

Oh my where to start. When DSD came to live with us she brought with her their pet dog. I love dogs but I never expected the dog to be so wild. It has never had any form of discipline and basically just does what the hell it likes. Sleeps on beds, eats off Human's plates, you name it. I have tried to suggest training but like with everything else in this house, I may as well talk to the dog itself.
So yesterday I had a particularly hard and long day at work. 13 hour shift, 7am until 8pm. Half hour break inbetween, barely ate anything all day and by the time I got home I was starving and tired.
I come through the front door at 8.30 and the dog flew at me, knocked me back into the front door and the handle dug directly into a rib. Very much in pain I shouted "no" at the dog and pushed it away. I went into the kitchen to find DH and DSD stood talking. Trying to remain calm to avoid a row I said something along the lines of "see, this is why the dog needs training, it's just jumped up me and knocked me flying into the front door". As soon as I finished speaking they both collapsed into fits of giggles and DSD then starts making a fuss of the dog saying stuff like "Oh you naughty boy! were you excited?? aww bless!" etc etc.
Ignoring the obvious goading here I shove my dinner into the microwave and stand there waiting for it to cook. DSD then starts saying "oh 'fluffy' was on your bed fast asleep today, you shouldve seen him, he looked so cute!" Hmm DH then said her name in a "you're taking it too far" type warning and she toddled off giggling into the living room. I took my dinner out of the microwave and walked into the living room with it. The dog followed me, constantly nudging my arm, walking into me etc so I said "DH will you PLEASE control the dog". DSD then muttered "god" and tutted at me. Totally ignored, as usual I sat down with my dinner and the dog sat directly in front of me, staring at me and drooling. I HATE this at the best of times but knew one more incident would cause a row and I just wanted to eat my tea so I ignored it. DSD sits there giggling watching the dog. After a few minutes the dog takes a chance and tries to connect with my plate. I shout "NO!" at it and push its head away with my hand. DSD then shouts "oh my god, dad has just punched the dog in the face!!" Hmm DH comes in and says "why would you do that???" I said "I never PUNCHED the bloody thing! I pushed it!" and he replied with "oh well I'll just push you around then, see how you like it shall I!"

Now at this point I really am in danger of exploding so I say "tell you what, go and fuck yourself, you're clearly an imbecile incapable of reason. I'm eating upstairs". I KNOW I SHOULD NOT HAVE SAID IT.

I go upstairs and he shouts after me "no need to take it out of me and DSD and the dog just because you've had a bad day, lots of people work long hours, not just you!". I ignore this.

So I'm sat on my bed, eating my dinner (ffs) and I hear the unmistakable sound of DSD and the dog running up the stairs. A few minutes later the bedroom door flies open, the dog flies in, jumps straight onto the bed and knocks my dinner EVERYWHERE. DSD stands there, mortified and runs downstairs telling DH that she had "accidently" opened our bedroom door and the dog had "accidently" knocked my dinner everywhere and I was about to kick the dogs head in. At no point did I suggest I would be kicking anyone's head in. DH then runs upstairs saying "don't kick off, it was an accident!".

Now this is the bit that pushed the whole thing from a family row to divorce cards I think. Covered in korma sauce and past caring I popped my head into DSDs bedroom and said "Well, because of your stupid behaviour the dog is going to the vets tomorow to be put to sleep".

I don't know why I said it. I wish I hadn't. I can't explain what on earth made me do that but the next thing I know she is howling in her room and DH is shouting at me that I'm an evil little bitch and he wants a divorce.

DSD is 12 btw.

I've not seen either of them today. I assume divorce is still on the cards.

Merry fucking christmas.

OP posts:
sitandnatter · 24/12/2011 19:49

quirrelquarrel the daughter is behaving in a way she is allowed to behave. If she had boundaries and consequences for her behaviour in all likelihood she'd stop. It's down to the father teaching her that her appalling behaviour is not only OK he encourages it.

Xenia · 24/12/2011 20:10

It's for the father to deal with the relationship with his daughter who probably doesn't know any better. It sounds as if the father has m ade a choice of his daughter not his wife. A daughter is for life. A wife is for as long as you can stand her

runningwilde · 24/12/2011 20:13

OP, I hope you are ok and able to update soon

KittyFane · 24/12/2011 21:26

It's for the father to deal with the relationship with his daughter who probably doesn't know any better.
Agree the father should sort out daughter's attitude but the daughter doesn't know any better? She is 12 not 2.
12 year olds know what they are doing. They aren't always able to rationalise why they are doing and dont always think of the consequences but they bloody well know when they are deliberately taking the P or stiring trouble.

WhereYouLeftIt · 24/12/2011 21:40

Life sounds very bleak on Planet Xenia. Sad

OP, I do hope you find a resolution, but be assured that this horrible situation is not of your ultimate doing, regardless of what you were pushed into saying yesterday.

BalloonSlayer · 24/12/2011 21:55

My elder DCs are 10 and 11. I am still battling with them re responsibility.

Eg:

DD: My DS is lost
Me: You mean "you lost your DS"
DD: [Blank look]

or

DS1: That toy got broken
Me: You mean you broke that toy
DS1: [Blank look]

It is common, I think, and therefore fairly normal for children to view undesirable outcomes as being detached from their personal influence. So the DSD may have loved the idea of her gorgeously charming dog bursting into the bedroom so that the OP could fall in love with its cuteness (having bewilderingly failed to do so over the last xx months, in DSD's view), but the dog leaping on the bed, spraying food everywhere and frightening and enraging the OP was not in her mind-map so therefore got classified as "accidental."

The DD's view of what happened needs addressing, but it does not mean she is a pathological liar or a manipulator. It means she is 12 years old and needs help negotiating the slippery stepping stones between "child for whom others take almost total responsibility" and "young adult who needs to take some responsibility for their own - and their pets' - behaviour."

I am not taking her - or your DH's - side against you, OP. I think their behaviour is appalling. I am trying to provide a bridge over the gap between "she is a child and not responsible" and "she is a manipulative xxxxx"

fallenpetal · 24/12/2011 23:07

Ug how awful to be so stressed, seems to me that at 12 she should know better and was playing along with her dad who IMO is a total arse and does not deserve the OP in his presence! How immature to deliberately wind someone up so!
If he is anything like my X you will never ever work as hard as he does even if you work longer hours, because men just work harder you know!! (git)

I truly hope if you are still at home that things are quieter if not better (((hugs)))

GooKingWenceslas · 24/12/2011 23:26

Please don't put the dog down.

It is not the dog's fault :(

balloonslayer that was a very good post.

Moominsarescary · 24/12/2011 23:38

Keep the dog, have it trained and you will probably find it's nicer to have around than your dh and dsd

DingDongQuintessentialNight · 24/12/2011 23:44

Your husband is a nasty shit. He is a terrible father, bringing his daughter up like this, and a terrible pet owner, allowing his daughter to "train" the dog to be naughty to wife.

Tell him to not bother coming back
If he leaves the dog behind, you drop it off to his parents.

runningwilde · 25/12/2011 19:06

I hope you are ok OP, you have been in my thoughts

MmeGuillotine · 25/12/2011 20:46

Same here. I've been wondering how you are and hoping you are okay. x

AdditionMultiplication · 25/12/2011 20:50

I haven't posted on this thread before, but I was reading along and today your situation popped into my thoughts. I do hope you had an okay day today and also hoping things are clearer for you. Take care of yourself.

andaPontyinaPearTreeeeee · 25/12/2011 23:40

Hope you've managed to have a good Xmas somehow. Although I do agree with what somebody said upthread - it is just a day. :)

cheeseandbiscuitsplease · 26/12/2011 00:00

Sd are not easy. I get on with mine ok now but from 11-20 she was very manipulative and bitchy. Even today aged 24 she has spent Christmas day with us and as per usual not lifted a finger/offered to help/cleared a plate away etc. I have a happy marriage to a wonderful man which is why I persevered when things were tough but if your dh is not worth it don't put yourself through all this. Step families are hard enough without support. Take care and go with your gut feelings.

Janni · 26/12/2011 00:39

Reading your post I got a very strong sense that your DH's behaviour is cowardly. He is hiding behind his daughter and her horrible dog, relying on them to end the relationship with you, on his behalf. You were goaded beyond endurance last night and your DH sided with his daughter at your expense.

Demonata · 26/12/2011 11:47

Hope you're ok NowI'veDoneIt.

loopylou6 · 26/12/2011 12:33

How's things now op?

Fairytightsonmychristmastree · 26/12/2011 12:44

How are you OP?

Crabapple99 · 27/12/2011 00:16

hello op, how are you? lots of posters are thinking about you, and wondering how you are.

suburbophobe · 27/12/2011 00:21

My god, what a nightmare the 3 of them. Poor you.

Reading your OP, absolutely no respect for you from dad and daughter at all, and what a non badly-trained dog.....

I could not live in a household like that....

Hope you are o.k.

TheUnsinkableTitanic · 27/12/2011 04:07

hope you are ok OP?

CheerfulYank · 27/12/2011 05:06

Oh OP. What a Christmas, huh?

Hope you're doing all right.

DigOfTheChristmasTreeStump · 27/12/2011 10:05

Hope you are OK OP.

CrabbyBigbottom · 28/12/2011 14:02

Hope your christmas turned out better than you expected op.

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