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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

new poster- need advice with DP DD

10 replies

Anushka11 · 18/02/2011 14:49

Hi- have not posted here before, but have been an avid reader/ lurker for some time.
I hope someone can give me some advice with this, as it is really causing some upset for DP and myself.
DP and myself have about a couple of months ago started to try and introduce our respective DC (myself 3, him 4) to each other. I cave come out of a nasty relationship with a man who was bipolar, NPD and violent(verbally, emotionally, sexually and physically), DP ex has PD, so both been battered a bit.
My DS (4) loves DP, no other word for it. Older DDs (both teens) are distant(not surprising after last experience!), but accepting, and getting more trusting. His younger DC (2 teens, 1 age7) are similar. Problem is his oldest DD, age almost 18. She HATES me, not personally, but as the woman who "steals" her father. She wants to be the centre of attention, the apple of his eye. She wants DP and exW to get back together (the split up 11 years ago!!). She screams, and sulks, and is abusive. She pushes in when DP and I walk next to each other. She holds his hand constantly. In short, she behaves as if she was 6 years old.
She demands to only see him on his own ever (NB they do, most of the time, I see them rarely). If she comes along, as long as I'm there she tries to get a rise ot of me- if I don't respond(which I don't, usually) she gets worse and worse, to the point of embarrassing DP and having him in tears, and her siblings refusing to go if she goes- so she now comes along a lot, and they not at all.
Apparently, she is the same with her mothers new partner.
Yes, I know she is jealous, but this goes way beyond that, this is active warfare, and trying to split us up.
DP initially said I was overreacting, but now agrees that she is doing this, and very distressed about it. She isn't going to split us up btw, we both agree- unless DP wants to stay single for the rest of his life, that would be pointless, as she would be the same with the next girlfriend. It is worrying me more due to the fact it distresses DP so much and makes his life so difficult, he is pulled pillar to post and unable to resolve this.
She is 18, am I being unreasonable to expect she should at least be able to be civil and appropriate, and contain her temper tantrums, and show some consideration for her father (and mother!!) and after 11 years accept that her long-divorced parents are not going to ever become a couple again?
How can we manage this bahviour and/or help her?

OP posts:
HotIron · 18/02/2011 15:15

Absolutely she is behaving like a brat but I guess she feels jealous of your relationship with her dad. I think what he needs to do is sit down with her on her own and assure her he still loves her that he is not getting back with her mum but that he will be there for her if she needs him to be. I think its best it comes only from him and not from you both. Her age is also a factor here, hormones playing up etc. It will probably resolve itself as she gets older but until then she may need reassurance and some time on her own with her dad.

ChaoticAngelofAnarchy · 18/02/2011 15:30

I'm a little confused. You say they split up 11 years ago but have a child of 7. Did they split then get back together for a while? Is this possibly why she thinks they may get back together?

Anushka11 · 18/02/2011 15:41

Sorry Angel, that was my mistake- the child is not actually his, but his exDW and other mans. He has just been raised as if he were his. Never been anything like that since they split.
HotIron, he has done that. Multiple times. Behaviour is getting worse rather then better.He sees kids 3, sometimes 4 times a week, usually on his own/ without me anyway.

She is a real drama queen, the whole family seems to be dancing attention all the time to appease her, or the whole household suffers.

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 18/02/2011 15:46

I am confused too.

Why has the 7 yr old been raised as your partners son, if he isnt the father, and hadnt even been in the relationship for 4 years before this kid was born?

Anushka11 · 18/02/2011 15:55

mainly because own father disappeared, and his own kids asked him (or demanded?) could he be his dad,too. Also he says he should not take it out on the child, not his fault (does not pay for him btw). Big softy, my DP, will do anything for anybody, particularly kids.

OP posts:
Anushka11 · 18/02/2011 15:55

childs father , of course, not DP father!

OP posts:
Pancakeflipper · 18/02/2011 15:56

So they separated when she was about 6? And she's still acting like a 6 yr old... Takes no armchair psychologist to see what's going on.

How's he been handling this for the last 11 yrs? And has she had any help e.g therapy/ assistance via school or through the health service?

I seem to recall a situation very similiar to this posted on a forum once. Turned out the separation had been hellish, the ex's continued battling long after and had left the girl in an emotional mess. She needs help. Looks like your DP and this girl haven't made much progress in 11 yrs so time for professional help?

ChaoticAngelofAnarchy · 18/02/2011 15:59

He sounds like a lovely man :)

Tbh all I can advise is that he keeps reassuring his daughter that he loves her. At the same time he has to make it clear that her behaviour is unacceptable as it is having an effect on his other children too.

You could also try posting this in the step parents forum. You should get advice there from others who have experience of this type of thing.

Anushka11 · 18/02/2011 16:01

Yes, she has had counselling arranged but stopped going.
DP and ExW are getting on ok, but initially must have been bad, she had affair + moved new P into home soon after breakup- stormy, and only lasted few years.
Also, she had PD, and is herself very attention seeking and self centred.

OP posts:
Pancakeflipper · 18/02/2011 16:01

Add into the mix a youngest brother whose father isn't recognised as his dad but her beloved daddy takes him on though he's no longer in the family home... she's probably got a lot of confusion in her head.

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