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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think my DD needs counselling

9 replies

HelpIcantfindaname · 07/08/2019 09:27

Backstory - Hubby left just over 3 years ago to live with OW. DD was then 7, she had to move school to where I work as her dad used to do all school runs & I couldn't afford childcare. Just before starting her new school our dog died so she had a pretty shit summer. It took her a long time to settle in her new school, & even now she doesn't have many friends as she's quite shy & can lack confidence. She loves drama & has joined 3 different drama groups but always ends up leaving after a few weeks. She left brownies & dancing too.
I got a counsellor to come & visit her for 6 weeks, shortly after starting her new school...this did help.
Moving to current day, I'm having problems with her behaviour. She complains about so much & never seems truly happy.
I met my bf 2 years ago, he is a widower with a son (will call him R) 2 years older than my DD10. We don't live together & mostly just see each other at weekends. Every other weekend DD is at her dads. On the weekend she's with me we have Friday night for just us. BF & R come over some time on the Sat & leave Sun pm.
Sometimes the kids play together really well, sometimes they wind each other up - just like siblings.
Lately my DD is telling tales on R a lot, he feels she is always trying to get him into trouble. She says he never gets wrong (he does), & they end up arguing & pushing each other around...often started by my DD.
We are on holiday together at the mo so the problem is seeming worse than usual.
DD has said she wants to start going to her dad's every weekend, or could my Bf & R only come over every other weekend. Thing is when she hasnt seen R for a while she misses him. I took her away for a few days a couple of weeks ago & she wished R was there.
Would counselling help her? Or is this just normal teenage angst and hormones making things worse? I realise she doesn't like sharing me, but I can't just put my life on hold till she leaves home.
Any advice or suggestions gratefully received.

And sorry for such a long post, thanks for reading.

OP posts:
JacquesHammer · 07/08/2019 09:30

She just seems a very sad little girl.

Can you put aside one weekend a month that’s just for you and her? Might help her feel really listened to.

bibliomania · 07/08/2019 09:32

The child is crying out for 1-on-1 time with you. That's what she needs, not counselling.

BloomingHydrangea · 07/08/2019 09:35

Maybe take a break from the boyfriend and his son and spend some more time just with her?

Pineapplefish · 07/08/2019 09:40

Could you compromise by reducing the time that BF and R come over? So they either arrive later on Sat or leave earlier on Sun? I don't think you should put your life on hold but I do think you should listen to your DD and respond to her, especially as she doesn't seem very happy. Counselling might be a good idea too but I think the first step is to demonstrate to her how important she is to you and how much you love her.

bellabasset · 07/08/2019 09:42

At an impressionable age your dd's life changed dramatically and she suffered the loss of her dad, her dog and her school. Now you have met your bf and his son. Is she afraid of becoming too close to them in case they also disappear from her life?

It as though counselling to boost her self confidence and lessen her anxieties could help her.

HelpIcantfindaname · 07/08/2019 10:01

I like the idea of keeping 1 weekend a month for DD. I'm sure she will like that too, even if she does spend half of it on her xbox!
We have decided on separate days out today....but she wants to go to the place they are going to!
I do spend a lot of time with DD through the week, but lot of that time is taken up with the routine of school & work.

OP posts:
Loftyswops988 · 07/08/2019 10:07

I have been that little girl, and she is just sad. I would have some extra time just the two of you where you can. She might say she misses R but there is plenty of time for you all to spend together once she is in a happier place

jennymanara · 07/08/2019 10:08

I don't think the issue here is counselling. She is telling you what she wants, you need to listen to her.

HelpIcantfindaname · 07/08/2019 10:36

I will listen to her more & give her more time.
She asked me the other night why I was with my BF when he loves his wife more than me, I said he loved her lots & does still love her, but now he loves me because his wife isnt here anymore. She said but if she came back he would choose her. DD knows dead people do not come back, so it's a pointless argument. But I wondered if she was saying it to try & make me split up with him. We have a very strong relationship so that's not going to happen. We both put our kids first, but we dont want to split. My mum & sis think DD has overheard someone discussing that, they don't think a 10yr old would really be thinking about a widower loving his wife more than a new partner.

OP posts:
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