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I feel like I hate my stepson

85 replies

ExhaustedStepmum · Yesterday 22:11

This may be long but i’m honestly really struggling now, this has been going on for years and I’ve had enough. Don’t say to leave DH as it’s not that easy.

I’ve been with DH for about 14 years, I have a DS aged 20 and a SD aged 28, and a SS aged 16.

I get on pretty well with SD although she moved a few hours away at 16 and was living with a family member to be able to attend a really good college in that area, she still lives there and we see her a couple of times a year but she doesn't come here much, she's said she's sick of SS and has referred to him as DH’s “golden boy” and has said he lets him get away with anything to which DH shuts the conversation down.

Their mum passed away when SS was a young baby and I think DH has over compensated and maybe spoilt him but I can tell he's also now getting fed up even though hes sort of to blame for the way he is. But SS says we don't like him

When growing up I don’t really remember him ever being particularly difficult although there were times we let him get away with silliness and answering back for example but he wasn’t an awful child , although he and ds have never been close and when he was younger would destroy his lego builds and they’d argue at any opportunity they got, usually with ss being the cause although DS very much got the “you’re older you should know better” from DH.

Things really changed when he was about 12 with constantly lying and stealing things (anything he got his hands on) being disrespectful at school and at home etc, DH somewhat blamed the school as it was in a bad area and at 13 he got him into a private school and he boarded monday-friday initially, he seemed happy there but at home his behaviour was getting worse and worse.

He began to shoplift when he had no reason to! He likely would’ve got whatever he wanted if he had asked and he wasn’t short on pocket money either (at the time but it did eventually stop), he stole my underwear to the point we had to have a lock on our bedroom door and after that I felt uncomfortable being around him tbh but I still don’t know if it was a “me” thing as in targeting me or if he just wanted underwear iykwim. After that DH paid for a private therapist but it was pointless because he lied the majority of the time and he can be believable which is the scary thing. He was watching some really explicit porn which we had thought we’d blocked on the wifi so i still have no idea how he got around it.

He ended up boarding FT and only coming home during holidays and while the holidays were hell, it was much better which sounds horrible to say. His behaviour at school wasn’t great though and he was permanently suspended at 15 for being caught with weed and there was alcohol in his room, he didn’t care but found it funny. It was a struggle but he started Y11 at a state school which was hard to find as no one wanted him and it was so late he couldn’t do his options. He ended up failing his GCSEs and he didn’t turn up to half of them

DH says it’s pointless even trying to get him into college as he wouldn’t go so said he could work with him except he was messing about with equipment and not listening which was unsafe so now he’s at home 24/7, he has the whole loft conversion to himself so he has a HUGE room and en suite but he still acts hard done by. He despises DH as DH was the one who found the porn and some of it was gay porn and during an argument about the porn in general DH said it was disgusting ans SS has twisted his words that gay = disgusting when DH was just extremely shocked and he probably was disgusted by what he saw because of how explicit it was. He shuts down any conversation regarding sexuality when we brought it up incase that was a reason for his behaviour (as in being worried about it i don’t know) he said he’s not gay and it was just something to watch and gets defensive and accuses us of calling him the f slur (which he actually uses but no one has!)

He spends a lot of time in his room, he smokes cigarettes and vapes but has no money and we’ve hidden our cards etc from him, sometimes he can just appear during a conversation with DH and accuses us of talking about him or saying something totally random that takes us back a bit like for example a couple weeks or months ago we were having a normal conversation about dinner and he came downstairs and out of nowhere asked DH if he wished he (SS) had died instead of him mum and because DH didn’t answer straightaway (because he was shocked, it was the first thing he’d said to him all day) he took it as a yes. But the thing is he never talks about his mum

DS lives here but he spends a lot of time with his gf and i worry he will not come over either when he moves out just like SD doesn’t.

His gf already feels uncomfortable around SS and has said she thought he had taken pictures of her but when DH looked through his camera roll he hadn’t, but today they came over for sunday lunch and SS was downstairs trying to wind DS up but he wasn’t getting the attention and then his gf asked him to stop staring and he made out he wasn’t and that she had a problem with him but then about 15 minutes later he was properly staring blankly at her and DS witnessed it and told him to stop it he did but he then was doing it AGAIN (i was cooking so wasn’t watching him) DS told him to stop being a creep but he still denied it but got up and threw a fork at DS then stormed off to his room. DH was outside and came in to SS storming off but he still went to his room to take him his food when it was done which i don’t agree with

Im just so exhausted with it all and apart from this myself and DH are happy

OP posts:
Onlyme7575 · Yesterday 23:28

JLou08 · Yesterday 22:23

He's a 16 year old boy who's mother has died, he was shipped off to boarding school and is struggling with his sexuality feeling that his dad thinks he's disgusting. Three very major things there. On top of that his step-mother hates him. It does sound difficult for you but I doubt you are feeling anything close to the pain and confusion he is. Maybe keeping all that in mind will help you navigate this, he does need to be challenged when he does something wrong, but he also needs to be loved, supported to feel like he belongs and have people see and bring out the good in him.

Agree

ExhaustedStepmum · Yesterday 23:41

SD didn't “get packed off to another relative” she wanted to go to the college she went to for years and put the effort in for her grades etc and got in so she moved in with a member of her mums family because they lived in that area so she was able to go.

I have showed them both love and I get along with my SD. I’ve really tried with my stepson even after we found my underwear in his room and I felt violated - I still tried. But he’s got so much worse and especially now he’s home 24/7 I don’t like being around him especially when it’s just me that’s home and I do hate his behaviour and how DH is still letting him get away with things like just taking him his dinner after he threw a fork at my DS and stormed off

OP posts:
CillianMurphyhasbeautifuleyes · Yesterday 23:46

My DS went COMPLETELY off the rails at the age of 13, for a good couple of years.

He was very much loved and cherished. As was his sister. Who didn’t put a toe out of line. She put up with a LOT.

It was HELL.
I could write a book about it. It would make your hair curl.

We were all practically destroying each other 😔

Thank GOD we got through it and we have a lovely relationship again and spend a lot of time together doing things he loves.

He’s 20 now and still very much loved and cherished. I’ve made that very clear.

I acknowledged my own part in it and have worked very hard to earn his love and trust again.

We talk about it sometimes and he has no explanation for any of it.

Please try to build bridges with your stepson.

Bananaramahammock · Yesterday 23:47

@ExhaustedStepmum Does your DH accept that he needs help with his son?

FaceIt · Yesterday 23:52

His mother died. For gods sake have a heart. How can you give up on a 16 year old so easily? It says more about you then it does him.

Franjipanl8r · Yesterday 23:53

Why on earth would you send a boy who’s struggling off to boarding school? The bad behaviour stage is the point at which parents really need to dedicate time and attention to their children, not send them away.

FriendlyMedusa · Yesterday 23:57

ExhaustedStepmum · Yesterday 22:45

My DS didn't board or even go to that school, he went to the state school SS originally went to. The school was never mentioned for him (private school in general wasn’t) and wasn’t mentioned for SS until DH somewhat blamed the school for his behaviour and thought the structure of the boarding school would've been good for him and the school was far away so it made sense for him to stay during the week and come home for the weekends rather than do the commute every day which would’ve meant leaving at probably 6am to get there for 8, he would’ve been exhausted. He seemed to enjoy the school though and his behaviour got worse during time at home and like I said on my OP and then when we asked if he wanted to board full time he said yes.

By the time he was at this school my son was already 17, so it was never an option for him to attend that school it wasn’t as simple as we sent him away and my son was allowed to stay at home

DH did pay for private therapy but like I said he lied the majority of the time to the therapist and he can actually be quite believable but other times not so much when he’s lie about outrageous things but the therapy was pointless as he wasn’t being truthful instead he would lie about small things and not engage in why he was really there

I would want to stay at boarding school too if my parents sent me there at the first sign of behavioural issues.

Your DH blamed the first school for SS's issues, then made no connection when a different school made no difference to his home behaviour...

Do you really not consider yourselves to have made some mistakes along the way?

TurtleMcTurtle · Yesterday 23:58

You say he lied to his therapist, how many therapists did you try?

My DC lost their father and between them have been through about 7 counsellors until they each found one that was right for them. The initial ones made them feel worse/didn’t get them to open up.

Like all professions, there are good and bad grief counsellors, even less good ones when it comes to teenagers (in my experience).

I would try therapy, therapy and more therapy until you find one that works for your SS, he obviously has a lot of challenges to work through and needs help to do so.

PyongyangKipperbang · Yesterday 23:59

I would just like to say to the people accusing the OP of "packing him off" etc, that SHE didnt do this. His father did. She is married to the man who did this, she didnt do this.

CurdinHenry · Today 00:00

The modern way is to pretend to think children can't be cunts and that 16 is a child

They can and it isn't

Sorry you're having to put up with this - you can boot him fairly soon

PyongyangKipperbang · Today 00:01

@ExhaustedStepmum try posting again in the step parenting board, you will get more nuanced advice there.

Aquasoap · Today 00:03

JLou08 · Yesterday 22:23

He's a 16 year old boy who's mother has died, he was shipped off to boarding school and is struggling with his sexuality feeling that his dad thinks he's disgusting. Three very major things there. On top of that his step-mother hates him. It does sound difficult for you but I doubt you are feeling anything close to the pain and confusion he is. Maybe keeping all that in mind will help you navigate this, he does need to be challenged when he does something wrong, but he also needs to be loved, supported to feel like he belongs and have people see and bring out the good in him.

I think this too. I don't think your/your husband's reactions to things, such as the porn, has helped.

Boarding school sounds a ridiculous solution.

saraclara · Today 00:11

This boy's mum died when he was a baby. I'm not saying that this is without its effects, but the chorus of "BUT THIS IS A BOY WHOSE MOTHER DIED" carries the implication that he was off an age to remember it and be traumatised. And he wasn't. OP is presumably the only mother figure he has any recollection of.

His sister has already avoided living with him as he made her life difficult. He's stolen OP 's underwear more than once, and her son's girlfriend is pretty clearly at risk from him. He steals. He was suspended from school.

Yes he has issues and really needs psychological help, but he's refusing it, and he's making the rest of the family's lives hell. OP is allowed to be angry and to dislike him.

FriendlyMedusa · Today 00:12

Sorry, posted my last comment before seeing last update- It must be difficult now his behaviour has escalated, and I do feel for you having to live in fear of him. The sexual stuff is especially concerning.

I do think people are liable to act out if unloved though. In your family I'm not sure he has much to lose if he acts poorly as you already admit to hating him, and his father likely feels similarly.

saraclara · Today 00:12

Aquasoap · Today 00:03

I think this too. I don't think your/your husband's reactions to things, such as the porn, has helped.

Boarding school sounds a ridiculous solution.

How would you react to your son watching extreme porn and stealing your wife's underwear?

turnthefanonpls · Today 00:21

He sounds awful! There are many children who have gone through trauma and lost a parent at a very young age at which they don’t even remember that parent, and they don’t turn out to be perverted arseholes. I don’t know what the solution for you is, but I feel like you’re going to have to ride out the next couple of years until he is 18 and you can kick him out. He sounds like he is just going to get worse. He might feel that no matter what he does he will always have a home with his dad and you, So maybe his dad needs to make it clear that when he’s an adult if it’s attitude doesn’t change then he has to fend for himself. Just because he had trauma doesn’t mean that he gets a pass on being a total arsehole. He’s had the opportunity to have therapy, private schooling and has a family, and he still acting out.

I really feel it for you, your home should be a place where you’re comfortable and happy. Worst case, I think you need to make sure you have a nest egg of your own in case you need to leave and start your own life away from DH and him.

SapphireSeptember · Today 00:26

Presumably the step DD also lost her mum and isn't acting like a complete arsehole? So why does he get a free pass?

Crispsjamtarts · Today 00:28

MrsMcGarry · Yesterday 22:35

Go and get some fucking therapy for yourself and try to explore why you are so incapable of feeling empathy for a child who lost his mother and instead sent him away to boarding school whilst your son got to stay at home.

Strongly worded but I totally agree. What a fucking awful life for this young man. With parents like this, he doesn't stand a chance in life.

INeverReallyLovedYouAnyway · Today 00:29

PyongyangKipperbang · Yesterday 23:59

I would just like to say to the people accusing the OP of "packing him off" etc, that SHE didnt do this. His father did. She is married to the man who did this, she didnt do this.

I mean I agree with this to an extent. But I do think that if you marry a widower with a baby/toddler, you have to accept that you are essentially going to be a mother to that child.

It’s not the same as getting with a guy with kids, where there is a normal, active, involved mother in their lives.

Crispsjamtarts · Today 00:30

saraclara · Today 00:12

How would you react to your son watching extreme porn and stealing your wife's underwear?

Wouldn't send him to boarding school! I mean throw money at the problem and ship him off sounds like the worst possible outcome.

JustaDomperignon · Today 00:32

SapphireSeptember · Today 00:26

Presumably the step DD also lost her mum and isn't acting like a complete arsehole? So why does he get a free pass?

I agree and why has she moved away?

Anyahyacinth · Today 00:32

saraclara · Today 00:12

How would you react to your son watching extreme porn and stealing your wife's underwear?

Young / men watch porn, if that were cause for rejection our society would collapse. Much as I loathe its harms.

The taking underwear could be just exploring too...I snuck in my Dad's underwear drawer found porn magazines and looked at them as a young girl. Another excuse to condemn

Then he's supposed to have taken photos of the girlfriend...nothing found ...then he's looking at her the wrong way ...it's all just hostility directed at someone struggling to belong. It's making SS feel an outsider.

Guarantee DS uses porn too

ReadingSoManyThreads · Today 00:34

I know you think the therapist didn't work BUT you really need to try again with a very specialist therapist who deals with childhood grief and trauma. Try reaching out to

CTRN UK

CTRN UK

https://childhoodtraumanetwork.co.uk/

Anyahyacinth · Today 00:34

SapphireSeptember · Today 00:26

Presumably the step DD also lost her mum and isn't acting like a complete arsehole? So why does he get a free pass?

Because he is clearly struggling ...children can be different...have different needs

Boreded · Today 00:35

saraclara · Yesterday 23:24

Sorry, OP. You're a step-mother, so almost everyone will judge you for struggling with a teenager who steals, watches extreme porn, and leers (and goodness knows what else) at your son's girlfriend.

Anyone else on this board who found that a teenaged boy was stealing their underwear, would be freaked out and totally supported here. Especially if it was their son. But you're a step-mother, so...

This.

The boy is clearly unhinged and yet somehow the step mum is getting the blame. Mental!

If she was mum not step mum the advice would be different. Actually @ExhaustedStepmum i think you should have posted this saying you were a single mum and his dad died and you would have had very different responses…some might even have been helpful

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