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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask how you really feel about your step children?

162 replies

Unhappybear · 29/12/2018 16:16

I’ve just had a bit of a hard week with DP’s DD who has been staying with us over xmas. I find it hard to not speak up sometimes and voice my opinion when she is acting like a brat (which is a lot of the time) she gets away with a lot and is very rarely told off, I think DP feels guilty for not being around as often as he’d like, so not to create drama he lets her do what she wants. He told me today he was afraid to upset her incase she goes back to her mum and say she doesn’t want to visit us again as she’s had a bad time. I think it’s very manipulative and I cannot believe my DP isn’t firmer with her. He is currently driving her back to her mums and I’m laying here thinking..... I don’t want her to ever visit again.... that’s awful isn’t it? I’m also wondering if DP and I have DC together would we disagree on parenting? I think I’d be strict, I believe children should have firm boundaries. Can anyone please offer advice or words or reassurance if you’ve been in a similar boat?

OP posts:
CosmicCanary · 29/12/2018 21:12

The way some women speak about young girls disgusts me. Hmm

comingintomyown · 29/12/2018 21:21

God help step children,mine own included, there’s a reason there are such strong fairy tales surrounding them

Marlboroandmalbec34 · 29/12/2018 21:26

Poor little girl. Her whole world has changed and you recognise you have been distant and probably made her uncomfortable today. I think this is awful
You shouldn’t have to give up your bed but it’s all new for her. Your OH should have slept on her floor
You have met his daughter 5 times and he has moved in? He hasn’t had her overnight for 5 months? All awful and I just feel so sorry for her.

TwistedStitch · 29/12/2018 22:02

Your dp has set the scene for a little madam to get what she wants.

Hardly. It's her first overnight with her own parent in at least 5 months and OP is moaning about giving up time with him.

comingintomyown · 29/12/2018 22:10

All those women who happily hook up with a man with kids and then resent their existence I deplore you
My poor DC had the misfortune to get a classic greedy selfish step mother who has fulfilled every conceivable cliche
She’s just now nine years on being exposed for what she is, children are just that children and vulnerable to adult behaviour

Highginx · 29/12/2018 22:52

The thing is, if your DH is being an inconsistent parent then he won’t feel comfortable disciplining because he’s constantly feeling guilty and she’s getting a whole host of mixed messages. He needs to step up - not just laying down the law, but being there more consistently so that he feels like someone who has a right to do that.

Highginx · 29/12/2018 22:55

The bed thing? I think it’s nice. It shows that he actually cares how she feels. She’s 8. She doesn’t have to hide the fact that she has a double bed at home. She’s supposed to feel comfortable with you. She’s obviously feeling really insecure and to honest, her stepmum’s moaning about her using her bath salts on a parenting forum so she may be onto something.

Merryoldgoat · 29/12/2018 23:00

There’s another thread going atm about whether you’d leave someone if your child didn’t like them.

This thread reinforces to me that I definitely don’t want any step parents for my children. Thankfully I’m happily married but if I were not for some reason I would never again cohabit with dependents.

PooleySpooley · 29/12/2018 23:04

This thread reinforces to me that I definitely don’t want any step parents for my children

When you split up with the father of your children you don’t get a choice Hmm

Merryoldgoat · 29/12/2018 23:06

No, I know Pooley. Obviously I wouldn’t be able to do anything about that, only hope I don’t split up from my husband.

bumblingbovine49 · 29/12/2018 23:14

I think she should have had some input to her room so maybe talking about what kind of.bed/ decor she wanted might have helped. But it is easier to know things in retrospect and I would definitely NOT have given her my bed !!

I wouldn't have judged her behaviour as bratty ( for complaining about the bed).I would have probably expected my DH to give a brief apology about not consulting her about the room/ decor but to.also say what is down is done re the bed and maybe offer her a say in something else that she might like in her room

Rockybooboo · 29/12/2018 23:26

Poor child. She's probably struggling with the new arrangements.

vuripadexo · 29/12/2018 23:26

Do you not understand that your DP is a shitty father and will be the same with your kids?

Open your eyes!

RedTitsMcGinty · 29/12/2018 23:47

An 8yo child has come to your — also her — house, having not stayed with her father, for some reason, for 5 months, and you tell her she can feel at home, then criticise her for acting on that, and then blame her and not your DP when she is unsettled? Grow up.

jacks11 · 30/12/2018 00:49

OP- I think you are being both reasonable and unreasonable IMHO.

Being a step parent is obviously hard going at times. And yes, the bed issue is annoying and something you need to tackle with your DP. I understand why the situation played out that way, but you shouldn't have been put out of your bed without your agreement. DP could have slept in her room if needed. I also agree children do need consistent boundaries and some form of discipline- disney parenting helps no-one in the long run. So YANBU to be annoyed that your were kicked out your own bed, without any say in it. I can understand the concern that your DP hasn't (as yet) stuck to any boundaries or rules. You would not be unreasonable to try and discuss this with him- but I think you need to have a think about your role and the way you view this child. The root problem with the bed and lack of discipline lies with your DP and not this little girl and you need to focus more on that and less on her.

I think you are very optimistic in saying "she knows me well enough to be comfortable with me" after meeting her for 5 or 6 times. She is probably not totally comfortable with you TBH, however calm and confident she may come across to you. She may be absolutely 100% fine with the whole situation, but if so she would be in a tiny minority- more likely she's putting on a bolshy front to cover her real feelings up.

The way you talk about her makes me a little sad for her, actually. I'm sure she is testing boundaries with Dad (especially as you say contact hasn't been all that regular) and quite probably doing the same with you too. This is normal and can indeed be somewhat trying- I can only imagine it is even harder in a child you don't know well and haven't built up a bond with. And, yes she does need clear and consistent boundaries- but she also needs love, understanding and perhaps a to be cut a little slack not written off as a "brat" after her first overnight stay with you which did not go perfectly.

There is something of about the tone and the "my time with DP" part that makes it almost sound like you (perhaps subconsciously) see this as rivalry for your DP's time and affection. Perhaps not what you mean or think, but it can come across that way. I also think YABU to be annoyed that she did not appreciate/was not massively grateful regarding how much work and money had gone into rearranging/furnishing your spare room. She is 8- she probably has little idea about the effort that goes into redecorating and furnishing a room. And you shouldn't see it as a favour to her- you were merely doing what is expected of parents (and step-parents).

I suppose what I'm trying to say (in the nicest possible way) is this: you are the adult, she is an 8 year old little girl. A little girl who is quite possibly a bit mixed up/unsure of her own feelings regarding her parent's separation and who hasn't had much contact with her Dad since. She may well also be anxious about staying away from home with Dad for the first time in a while, as well as being in a strange house and bed, and also staying overnight with Dad's new partner who she doesn't know all that well. If you can think of it that way, you might be able to be a bit more empathetic towards her. That is not to say she can be rude or do whatever she wants- but I do think a little more understanding would smooth the way a bit.

You need to try and build a relationship with her in a constructive way, before being to heavy handed with the discipline and rules- there is a balance to be had there and you do need to build a relationship before trying to act as a parent would. Perhaps try to see it from a child's perspective. I say it again- think carefully before ascribing adult emotions/intentions/understanding to her words and actions.

I think you also need to realise that you have choices and she had and has none. By this I mean: you chose her Dad- so you chose to be with a man who has a child and you can seek to make rules and make her do things (not saying there shouldn't be rules BTW- there should be). In addition, you can choose to walk away if you don't like the way things are. This little girl did not choose to have parents who split and did not choose to see her Dad far less often. She did not choose to have you in her life and can't walk away if she doesn't like how things are working out. She can't do anything about the situation at all whether she is happy or profoundly unhappy, or anywhere in-between. Sometimes children express their unhappiness by misbehaving or being unkind or rude to the step-parent or parent. Before dismissing her as a brat/little madam etc consider if any of this may apply?

Sorry if this sounds unkind- it's not meant to be. I think you do need a reality check though.

RagingWhoreBag · 30/12/2018 00:53

But it was her bed! You expected her to get out of it when you stayed over

No Meredith, hers was the bed in her own room, this was her dad’s bed.

And I didn’t expect her to get out, I chose not to stay there again when it became obvious that it was causing issues. I don’t want to sleep in someone else’s bedding or make a little girl cry! I just ended up not spending time at his house, so our relationship is 99% conducted at my house without his DCs present. After 6 years I have literally no relationship with his kids because it’s easier to just let them get on with it, not to get involved in territorial disputes. However in MY house I do have a say. As does OP.

kateandme · 30/12/2018 03:05

oh good god no.no moving beds.i was trying to see both sides until you said that which set the scene for how hes parenting and just "no!"
in the short time would she say I don't want to come back.im not sure.but then shes already ingraining manipulative behaviour if she doesn't because you being a parent.because in the long term you giving her safety,rules, the walls to build from.she will push and push the more he lets her and then it can actually feel out of control for an 8 year old because no one will help her feel safe or with boundaries so they push more so someone will catch them.
tell him to have a word with her.sit down and tell her things need to change.that he loves her with all his heart and wants to make this her home to but hes also has to make sure shes well and safe and that means being a grumpy old dad.and that things WILL be changing

PippaParty · 30/12/2018 10:33

@Unhappybear, hope you are still reading. The threads have moved on and are more positive with some good advice. Good luck with building a relationship with your partners daughter.

WaterOffaDucksCrack · 30/12/2018 10:54

This thread reinforces to me that I definitely don’t want any step parents for my children well the 8 year old's father has clearly made a poor choice of step parent. Step parents can be wonderful if they along with their parents have not rushed their relationship and they are both loving towards the children involved. I wouldn't be with anyone who showed contempt to any child, let alone my child.

WaterOffaDucksCrack · 30/12/2018 11:10

Although I will say I mainly feel sorry for the girl because her dad doesn't seem to care about her at all. He's moved straight in with someone who is essentially a stranger to her and barely sees her.

Myglassesareknackered · 30/12/2018 11:22

Great post jacks11.
I feel very sorry for this little girl. Her dad, either wilfully or through guilt, is making a bit of a hash of it. OP, you need to step up and be a grown up here and remember she is a child. You are also new to (step)-parenting, and will probably need to relax your expectations, boundaries, etc. It’s a time of adjustment and learning for you all, but ultimately she is a very young child and will not understand her emotions, let alone how to manage them.
She might exhibit brattish behaviour, but that doesn’t make her a brat. Parents splitting, introducing new partners, first night sleepovers, etc are huge and she is probably hugely anxious and uncertain. Poor girl needs some reassurance about her relationship with her dad.
It will take time.
I have a great relationship with my stepchildren, but it was tough at first for all of us. We went at their pace and I now have a very close relationship with them. Conversely I know step-parents who have tried to impose on their stepchildren and then moan that the children are a nightmare, don’t respect them, etc. With children you mostly get out what you put in.

Fishcakey · 30/12/2018 11:25

I hate my Step Daughter. She is a horrible, selfish person. I have tried and she throws everything back in your face and blames her Dad for everything. I cannot stand her. If she didn't live so far away I would probably have to get divorced.

TwistedStitch · 30/12/2018 11:32

It always surprises me on these kinds of threads when children are held to higher standards than adults. So a young child who doesn't appear to have had a consistent relationship with her father and is now staying over in a new place after several months of no overnights and with an additional adult she has only met a few times is a brat/ selfish/ madam if she isn't suitably grateful and her behaviour beyond reproach. But an adult with choices can be livid, go mental, complain about losing time with HER partner, set this selfish spoilt child straight etc, if she has to give up her bed for a couple of nights.

MadMum101 · 30/12/2018 11:38

Fishcakey you do realise your stepdaughter didn't choose for you to be in her life, you did though, you vile person.

To the OP, I have an 8 year old who occasionally gets into bed with us if he's had a bad dream or is worried about something. I can't imagine how unsettled he'd be having to stay in a strange house, with a distant father and a near stranger who obviously resented his existence! Of course your DP should have slept on the floor of the spare room her room if she was scared of sleeping alone. Being turfed out of your bed, is down to him not her.

Merryoldgoat · 30/12/2018 11:40

@WaterOffaDucksCrack

I have absolutely no doubt at all that there are excellent step parents out there - it’s obvious from MN alone.

However, for me, following in from my experiences as a child, it’s just not something I’d do myself.

My SD wasn’t awful to me but we had/have no relationship at all. Literally. My sisters (his children) adore him (understandably) but have no understanding as to why I don’t like him.

The familial ties are fraught since my mum died and looking back, my happiness declined dramatically once we moved in with him.

Luckily my husband and I are very happy but if we split for some reason I would not introduce another father figure into their lives. I may well have relationships but there’d be no cohabiting until my children were adults.

Obviously I’d have no control over my DH but given how he is generally (and extremely decent man, excellent father and completely equal partner in everything) I doubt he’d do the same.

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