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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Step daughter being unreasonable

399 replies

snoopy2016 · 27/11/2016 16:00

My SD has over the last few months been "borrowing" things from my DD but this weekend was the final straw she borrowed her Pandora bracelet and has lost it when she was out with friends, we searched everywhere she's been but it's gone. This is a precious to my DD as once of the charms was given to her by my mum who passed away on the 24th October this year. My DD is devastated and hates her at the moment, normally my SD will borrow things and we find them in her room but this time shes gone too far, my OH has offered to get her a new one and all her charms back and has grounded my SD for a month no TV phone nothing she has to be straight in for school, which to be honest there isn't a lot more he could do. She said she took it because DD gets more than her which isn't true I recently bought them both Pandora rings for doing really well at school tests (I promised I would if they got above their set grades) they both got a lot higher than their set grades. My SD said that it's because I left her out when we recently went to a concert, she was invited but only decided the night before she wanted to come and the tickets had all gone but this was planned months ago and she kept saying she didn't want to come. I have now put a lock on my daughters door but OH said I should take it off I am refusing, he said that no bedroom doors should have locks but I disagree if it keeps DD stuff safe then it's staying, he is arguing that SD has learnt her lesson but it was always petty stuff before but she knew what the bracelet meant to DD, am I wrong in this?

OP posts:
snoopy2016 · 28/11/2016 11:37

I didn't realise until I saw things on here some I didn't like that things haven't been good for a long time I have let it all go over my head I was so busy with mum. Looking back I think maybe me a OH haven't worked for ages really I just thought it was all ok because we didn't argue but that doesn't make a good relationship. I have read some harsh things on here but it's given me a wake up call I think I needed it, he wouldn't come and see mum with me because it was too upsetting but at the time I thought that was ok he's never supported me through anything.

OP posts:
snoopy2016 · 28/11/2016 11:39

I'm with Pot tbh.

I hate hearing women referred to as 'bitches', much less children.

I have said it in my head but never to her or vocally

OP posts:
TheEmmaDilemma · 28/11/2016 11:46

I think you've done the right thing. It sounds like your now ex DP was never going to step up and parent his child correctly.

HouseworkIsASin10 · 28/11/2016 11:48

You've done the right thing Flowers

snoopy2016 · 28/11/2016 11:53

I think he just wanted a quiet life and he would do whatever for that right now I'm angry with him but in the end I'll pity him. DD isn't an angel but I know she's doing really well and I have to admit I was a pain as a teenager who wasn't but I hope now we can get on I've unpacked quite s lot of stuff and when I went to collect stuff SD had DDs clothes in her room so I have taken them. On the upside I rang the school and they are going to get a student councillor to talk to SD so I think we'll hope I've done as much as I can to help her for now. I also spoke to her mum and she is going to take her home tonight so that her and OH get a break from each other. I don't hate SD I just feel sorry for her I admit I detested her last night but you're all right she need something doing

OP posts:
AnnieAnoniMouse · 28/11/2016 12:28

snoopy. Please don't listen to anyone advising counselling with him or looking at it all again in a while. You know he's not good enough for you, look at how he's treated your Mum and how unsupportive he was and now how awful he has been to you a mere few weeks on. The things he's said and done are unforgivable and manipulative. He lies to you too, gaslights you.

SD des need help, but you have done your bit. You've told the school & you've told her Mum. Now you need to disengage and look after your DD and yourself.

Possibly you'll both miss him, very few people are 100% bad & it's natural to miss the 'good bits', but they are only a small bit of who he is. You &/or DD might even miss SD maybe, but please don't be tempted into trying again, he will not change and if he doesn't, she won't. At least not until she's an adult and someone puts her straight. Keeping in touch will make the situation for everyone worse, not better,

You can't take on either 'helping him/trying again' or SD's problems, you have enough of your own.

Try to make plans going forward that give you pleasure & something to look forward to. Feel your Mum's love in her house and feel secure.

yellowfrog · 28/11/2016 12:33

Oh you poor thing, that's all so horrible. I think you are doing the right thing for you and DD in leaving DP. The way he's handled this situation is utterly awful, and you're right to think that with the way he handles SD generally, her behaviour won't improve. Time to focus on things that make you and DD happy I think. Hugs to you both

inthenickoftime · 28/11/2016 13:22

Does anyone else wonder where OH was while SD was trashing the room? He cut the bolt off and walked away? He must have heard the commotion and ignored it for an easy life. Disgusting behaviour. He obviously doesn't give a fuck about your poor DD.

I think you're doing the right thing for your DD nd yourself OP.

Mumoftwoyoungkids · 28/11/2016 15:47

Inthenick He was in the shower which explains why he didn't hear anything.

I actually feel very sorry for the step daughter. Her father is ruining her with his inconsistent discipline and general patheticness.

But that isn't the Op's fault. And it definitely isn't the Op's dd's fault. And the Op has a responsibility to act to protect her daughter and to protect her own mental health.

And the partner doesn't sound worth it for himself let alone when a troubled teen is included in the mix.

Bambamrubblesmum · 28/11/2016 15:48

I agree with nick. Your daughter has borne the brunt of his bad parenting towards SD. You've done the right thing by removing her from the situation and putting her needs first. She's your main priority now.

I think you're going to be a lot happier and settled from now on.

kali110 · 28/11/2016 16:07

Sorry op it just gets worse. I think you've done the right thing.
I couldn't forgive him either after he'd rewarded this digraceful behaviour.

HelenaDove · 28/11/2016 16:48

I agree with TTCL Every word.

And now after she has trashed DDS room and ruined her stuff including her beauty products she gets new LUSH stuff. Words fail me.

He should be flexing that credit card to replace DDs products. Plenty of gift sets available at the mo.......Clinique No 7 Elizabeth Arden. All on the Boots website for your perusal if you are still reading this OPS now ex OH. Take some damn responsilbility for yours and your daughters behaviour.

magoria · 28/11/2016 17:16

You have done the right thing.

This man is actually quite a nasty piece of work.

As long as you don't kick up a fuss and let everything go he is happy for you and your DD's stuff to be stolen, trashed and destroyed.

He decided to remove the lock because he chose to not because you and he had mutually agreed.

He then rewards her on top of this with £100s worth of stuff rather than parenting her properly.

He clearly doesn't give a fuck about your DD's feelings or possessions.

Your DD deserves so much better. Well done for putting her and yourself first for a change.

He is doing his DD no favours.

happypoobum · 28/11/2016 17:28

It was bloody obvious SD was going to do something by the way she reacted to the fact a bolt/lock was going on.

OP please don't feel guilty, this is totally DH fault. If he wants you back it is so you can carry on bearing the brunt of dealing with SD whilst he swans around giving in to her with his piss poor parenting.

Luckily you don't need him and you can leave them to get on with it in their own dysfunctional way. It's a dreadful shame for DSD but it's not really your responsibility. It sounds like life has been pretty hellish for you and DD and you need to make a safe and happy life for the two of you for the time being. Flowers Just think how much calmer Christmas will be!

StarryIllusion · 28/11/2016 17:30

I haven't read the full thread, just the first page so apologies if this has already been suggested but what I would do is tell her that this bracelet needs to be found and returned or she will have to sell her things for the money to replace it. Follow through too. If it is hidden or she has given it away, you may find it miraculously reappears and if not then she is still getting punished with natural consequences. You take something and lose it, you replace it and since she doesn't have a job, the only way to do that is by selling things. I bet you she won't be in a hurry to pull that particular trick again once she knows it will lose her, her own belongings. Daddy replacing it just doesn't have the same impact as having to make sacrifices to do it herself. YADNBU on the lock either and I would make sure that if it doesn't turn up, every single charm gets replaced.

lola111 · 28/11/2016 17:31

Have you ever heard the saying 'the kids who are hardest to love, are the ones who need it most' Your Poor DSD is a very unhappy little girl, reading between the lines she is left out (why did she not come to visit your DM, why did you not tell her about your friends pregnancy)
Why doesn't the SD live with her mother? I think that is the root of the problem.
Poor little girl!

thatdearoctopus · 28/11/2016 17:32

starry, you really should read the whole thread. It's moved on massively since then.

BoneyBackJefferson · 28/11/2016 17:33

Good for you OP. You are better off out of this.

As an aside

If the bracelet is being bought with your money please cancel it.

SVJAA · 28/11/2016 17:34

lola111 while I agree that OPs SD is a very unhappy wee lassie and needs help (which OP has sought for her even after all this), OP is right to put her own DD first. This wee lassie has lost her granny, seen her mum grieving and been subjected to theft (of something very precious) and now her room being trashed and wrecked out of pure spite. What else is OP supposed to do?

HelenaDove · 28/11/2016 17:34

YY happypoo I could see it coming while reading the thread.

He has no respect for you or your DD OP and no respect for any property that belongs to either of you.

Emotional and financial abuse.

HelenaDove · 28/11/2016 17:37

lola are you a teacher? Cos thats the same crap that was put to me when i was being bullied at school thirty years ago.

StarryIllusion · 28/11/2016 18:01

Read it all now, sorry, Octo, but I have a phone that doesn't do pages, at least not without a LOT of bitching. Got my laptop now. Fuck me, that girl is a piece of work. Good on you for leaving OP, he is a tosser and his kid... well in the words of another poster on a previous thread "my spanking hand is itching, reading this." What a horrible, vindictive brat. Like fuck would she be getting that bracelet or anything else for Christmas. In fact she wouldn't even get a Christmas, she would be spending it working in a soup kitchen were she mine.

BoneyBackJefferson · 28/11/2016 18:05

lola111
Have you ever heard the saying 'the kids who are hardest to love, are the ones who need it most'

Emotionally charged sanctimonious blackmail.

The OP's first two responsibilities are to her DD and herself, and those two are interchangeable.

thatdearoctopus · 28/11/2016 18:09

Plus, it sounds as if the OP has tried very hard with this child, but has had it all thrown back in her face.

HelenaDove · 28/11/2016 18:14

Im astounded at the amount of ppl on here who expect the OP to continue being a doormat when she has already bent over backwards and had property destroyed previously.

Did the OH contribute to having the paintwork on the car fixed after the keying incident OP?