Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Dreading step-daughter coming home

879 replies

AquaAnsie · 19/12/2024 15:45

DH and I have been together for 7 years, married for 3. He has one DD, she's 24. I have 4 DC, DS is 26 then DDs who are 25, 23, and 20.
My two middle DC have autism, they have always really struggled with socialising and my 23 and 20 year olds live at home, my 25 year old lives 5 minute walk away.
My children and DSD went to school together, she was a year below my eldest DD and a year above my middle DD. My DD's really struggled in school, which wasn't made any better by bullying. DSD was part of the group who did a lot of the bullying (all very sporty, very pretty, middle class girls picking on those who hadn't quite settled, were from lower income families). DSD claims she was never the one doing the bullying but my DDs really struggle when she is around.

My 23 year old really struggles with her autism, she hates it when DSD is here, basically never leaves her room, she is very intimidated by DSD. DD also struggles with routine changes massively and is easily overstimulated.
When DSD is here, she plays music all the time, goes out with her friends and comes back at 2/3 am (she isn't loud but DD is a light sleeper and this will wake DD up and scare her to the point she won't sleep again). My DS also puts on an act when she is here, tries to buddy up with her BF and basically ignores his sisters and says they have to grow up.

Over the years there has been a lot of back and forth. We went out a walk one year and my eldest DD was complaining she was tired and DSD loudly muttered "if you lost weight you wouldn't be tired", she apologised but DD is very insecure so this has stuck with her (DD is a size 14/16 so not exactly big or anything, but DSD is a size 6 and very judgy of any overweight). In an argument about 2 years ago she also shouted at my DD's "You need to grow up, get a real job and stop getting my dad to fund your life". This obviously left sour taste but she again apologised.

DSD has a bit of a superiority complex, she is an Oxbridge grad, now doing her training contract for a law firm in London making crazy money for a grad (she's a couple years behind other her age on average as she did a gap year then a year abroad at uni). She looks down on my family as my DDs didn't go to uni (well DS did and he is the only one she actually gets on with).

On Sunday she and her boyfriend are coming back for a few days, they've only been dating since spring and her dad has met him but none of the rest of us have. As if DSD being home won't cause my girls enough stress, a total stranger in the house will make it 10x worse.

I just know their will be an argument, my DDs will get upset, DS will side with DSD as he thinks it makes him look smart.

DH never has any input, he thinks his DD can do no wrong, total princess in his eyes. He never outright agrees with her but he never tells her to say sorry or calls her out.

AIBU to be absolutely dreading her coming back even if it is just for 3/4 days? I find her so hard to be around at times!

OP posts:
AnonymousBleep · 19/12/2024 17:23

Startinganew32 · 19/12/2024 17:18

Well she could have been lying or she could have been actually telling the truth. Why would she lie about it? Most of the time those who are friends with bullies are also bullies themselves. I wouldn’t be happy hanging out with people who pick on those with disabilities myself. If the DD remembers the DSD bullying her, there a good chance that this is what happened.

Thing is, short of getting divorced, you’re stuck with this situation and dynamics now. Is there any scope for your DD to be independent in the future? It must be quite distressing having to be part of a family with this girl.

She was head girl. Schools don't usually make the bullies head girl. Chances are she was just popular and therefore knew everyone, including the bullies. Doesn't mean she was one.

The problem here is that the OP's SD makes her and her kids feel inadequate. That's not her fault, it's the OP's problem.

AquaAnsie · 19/12/2024 17:23

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

I mean ... its a bit much comparing her to a serial killer, even I wouldn't go that far!

OP posts:
GoingUpUpUp · 19/12/2024 17:23

AquaAnsie · 19/12/2024 17:18

My middle children aren't able to go off to uni and make 50k or whatever straight out of uni, they need extra support.

the mortgage was paid of with inheritance/life insurance he was left, but when he dies all of the house will go to his daughter, she isn't losing out.

But you shouldn’t be resenting your DSD because she could. Sounds like she’s got her head screwed on and is doing well. That’s to be celebrated. She’s not done it at the expense of your DC

ExtraOnions · 19/12/2024 17:23

AquaAnsie · 19/12/2024 17:07

Okay wow, went to wrap presents and there are now lots of replies.

We didn't introduce our kids for over a year and her name wasn't familiar so I didn't realise she was one of the crowd who did the bullying. I knew her name only from being the girl who won all the prizes at prize giving and was Head Girl. Why would I ever assume she was a bully.

When it came out, it was actually at a meal about 2 years into the relationship, we were talking about bullys in my youngest DD's year and my middle DD said "Well DSD would know a lot about bullying". It turned into an argument with DSD saying that she never bullied anyone, my DDs saying that she was friends with the key bullies and DSD saying that they know fine well she didn't bully them but they are trying to make her look bad. I asked my DD's if they wanted me to leave DH and they said no.

As for the other comment, I work part-time, my 25 year old works part-time, 23 year old doesn't work and 20 year old is at college. The house has no mortgage and DH does cover the bills and between us we pay my eldest's rent as she doesn't make a lot. I wouldn't say he funds them anymore than he does his DD (takes her snowboarding every year and pays for her summer holiday).

I’m confused about this bullying … Did she bully your daughter or not, as both of them seem to be saying she was friends with bullies, rather than a bully herself. She also sounds like someone with lots of friends.

You still sound really resentful of your SD “the one who won all the prizes”, it’s not her fault she was / is successful.

I do get it, my DD is 18, with ASD .. she’s not at college, but everyone we know seems to have a child there. My DN is the same age 9 GCSEs, 4 A-Levels, at Uni, sporty, loads of mates etc etc - I could easily be jealous, but I celebrate thier success.

decorativecushions · 19/12/2024 17:23

I feel very sorry for your step daughter.

UndermyShoeJoe · 19/12/2024 17:24

Step daughter was friends with bullies.

Op and her whole family try to bully step daughter out of her own dads house.

mitogoshigg · 19/12/2024 17:25

It sounds like you haven't really accepted dsd is part of the family as much as your own dc therefore she's coming home, she's entitled to. She's making a success of her life are you resenting this? Your ds gets on with her you say. As much as I'm sure she is not helping the situation I'm just getting vibes that you have your DD's living with you and her dad, yes are resentful that she wants to stay and yes bring her boyfriend, completely normal at her age. I have adult dsd's and you need to be the one making running and accepting that they are not like your birth children in upbringing

Catnuzzle · 19/12/2024 17:25

Itaverages · 19/12/2024 16:06

I can't get over the fact you married the father of one of your daughters school bullies knowing it would put the bully in her life forever and she's now having to deal with it in her 20s.

This.

recipientofraspberries · 19/12/2024 17:26

I have found this thread so upsetting.

I’m an autistic adult who was bullied at school by people like DSD. Nobody would ever have believed the kids who were my bullies were like that. They’re all very successful now with wholesome personas. They used to kick me, call me names, humiliate me.

On this thread we’ve had so many excuses made for DSDs bullying behaviour. We’ve had people applauding her for shouting at a disabled person to “grow up and get a proper job”. We’ve had people saying the autistic DDs need to “suck up” being around their bully and that “mean comments aren’t that bad”.

I am upset because of my own experiences: I know that. I don’t know these people or the truth of what’s happening with them. But what I CAN see is bullying being minimised, and the flimsy veneer of autism awareness and acceptance slipping off completely. The jabs at these two autistic young women for not working/having progressed in education are sickening to see, but it’s not surprising to me.

FlickeringFairyLight · 19/12/2024 17:26

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

AquaAnsie · 19/12/2024 17:26

ExtraOnions · 19/12/2024 17:23

I’m confused about this bullying … Did she bully your daughter or not, as both of them seem to be saying she was friends with bullies, rather than a bully herself. She also sounds like someone with lots of friends.

You still sound really resentful of your SD “the one who won all the prizes”, it’s not her fault she was / is successful.

I do get it, my DD is 18, with ASD .. she’s not at college, but everyone we know seems to have a child there. My DN is the same age 9 GCSEs, 4 A-Levels, at Uni, sporty, loads of mates etc etc - I could easily be jealous, but I celebrate thier success.

TBH I still don't really know. Her name wasn't one that came up in any of the meetings, but my middle DD insists she was part of it, and I don't know why she would lie. DSD has said she was friendly with the ones doing the bullying but always follows that with "I was friendly with everyone and I didn't bully anyone"

OP posts:
MumOfOneAllAlone · 19/12/2024 17:26

I'm surprised at the divide in comments here

One side thinks that the step daughter is a victim of jealousy

The other side, rightly in my opinion, thinks that op's children deserve better and deserve not to have their mum marry the father of their school bully

I think we can all agree though that the kids deserve better 🥺🥺

SophieJo · 19/12/2024 17:27

AquaAnsie · 19/12/2024 17:18

My middle children aren't able to go off to uni and make 50k or whatever straight out of uni, they need extra support.

the mortgage was paid of with inheritance/life insurance he was left, but when he dies all of the house will go to his daughter, she isn't losing out.

She may not be losing out but I hope you and your children won’t in the future.

Londonrach1 · 19/12/2024 17:27

You sound jealous of her and tbh not very welcoming . I feel sorry for your stepdaughter as she coming into a household which was her childhood home. Your dd can stay in her own room if it makes her feel safe. All the children are grown ups and should act as such. Any bad or bullying behaviour from any of them should be stepped on.

Lwrenn · 19/12/2024 17:27

UndermyShoeJoe · 19/12/2024 17:24

Step daughter was friends with bullies.

Op and her whole family try to bully step daughter out of her own dads house.

Power move and a half if dsd gets fucked out of her inheritance.

recipientofraspberries · 19/12/2024 17:28

OP, what did you say when DSD said “you wouldn’t be tired if you lost some weight”? Is bullying behaviour pushed back against when it occurs now?

kiraric · 19/12/2024 17:28

Wow. I had missed that you suggested she stay in a hotel.

I really think many people in your DH's position would have just asked the whole pack of you to leave at that point.

How dare you try to kick her out of her childhood home?

unlikelywitch · 19/12/2024 17:28

AquaAnsie · 19/12/2024 17:07

Okay wow, went to wrap presents and there are now lots of replies.

We didn't introduce our kids for over a year and her name wasn't familiar so I didn't realise she was one of the crowd who did the bullying. I knew her name only from being the girl who won all the prizes at prize giving and was Head Girl. Why would I ever assume she was a bully.

When it came out, it was actually at a meal about 2 years into the relationship, we were talking about bullys in my youngest DD's year and my middle DD said "Well DSD would know a lot about bullying". It turned into an argument with DSD saying that she never bullied anyone, my DDs saying that she was friends with the key bullies and DSD saying that they know fine well she didn't bully them but they are trying to make her look bad. I asked my DD's if they wanted me to leave DH and they said no.

As for the other comment, I work part-time, my 25 year old works part-time, 23 year old doesn't work and 20 year old is at college. The house has no mortgage and DH does cover the bills and between us we pay my eldest's rent as she doesn't make a lot. I wouldn't say he funds them anymore than he does his DD (takes her snowboarding every year and pays for her summer holiday).

So, she didn’t actually bully your DD? And clearly DSD isn’t the only one with a habit of making passive aggressive comments.

Your DH is financing the lives of three of your adult children yet you don’t want his actual daughter to visit for a few days? The entitlement is nauseating.

I can completely understand DSD getting frustrated and boiling over. She was maliciously smeared as being a bully (due to pure jealousy I suspect) and has to watch her DF being taken for an absolute mug.

UndermyShoeJoe · 19/12/2024 17:29

Lwrenn · 19/12/2024 17:27

Power move and a half if dsd gets fucked out of her inheritance.

We both know the op will try and get hold of every penny she can. Because they need it more clearly. Even op don’t work full time.

I hope that house Is tied up in a trust as tight as the departed queens will is currently form public reading.

AquaAnsie · 19/12/2024 17:30

recipientofraspberries · 19/12/2024 17:28

OP, what did you say when DSD said “you wouldn’t be tired if you lost some weight”? Is bullying behaviour pushed back against when it occurs now?

I didn't need to say anything, she apologised quickly after before anyone had to say anything then 5 minutes later she, DH, DS and her BF at the time had walked on ahead. DD was still upset though.

OP posts:
Therealjudgejudy · 19/12/2024 17:30

Good grief op.

You sound so jealous.

You and your daughters are a bunch of freeloaders.

FlickeringFairyLight · 19/12/2024 17:30

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

AquaAnsie · 19/12/2024 17:31

UndermyShoeJoe · 19/12/2024 17:29

We both know the op will try and get hold of every penny she can. Because they need it more clearly. Even op don’t work full time.

I hope that house Is tied up in a trust as tight as the departed queens will is currently form public reading.

DD will get the house, I will never go against that, for many reasons it is rightly hers. DH owns a rental I will move into if he were to die before me.

OP posts:
AnonymousBleep · 19/12/2024 17:31

Why is the 25 year old (not autistic, from what the OP has said) only working part-time and why is your husband helping her with her rent? He seems to be going massively above and beyond to support you and your family. The absolute least you can do is put up with his daughter (whose home you're living in) for a few days.

Perplexed20 · 19/12/2024 17:32

AquaAnsie · 19/12/2024 17:26

TBH I still don't really know. Her name wasn't one that came up in any of the meetings, but my middle DD insists she was part of it, and I don't know why she would lie. DSD has said she was friendly with the ones doing the bullying but always follows that with "I was friendly with everyone and I didn't bully anyone"

Equally, why would your SD lie?
There is only hearsay evidence on either side. Either could be lying and there is a whole lot of taking opinion as fact. Your family needs to find a way to move beyond this and move on.

If you can't accept your SD and neither can your DDs then your marriage is in a whole lot of trouble.