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Step-parenting

Connect with other Mumsnetters here for step-parenting advice and support.

My stepdaughter hates me

90 replies

mumof2monsters · 12/12/2010 00:54

I have been with DH for 12 years and married for 8. He and I were good friends who worked together. He was married to a nightmare woman who made his life hell. He had two girls who were 1 and 2 1/2. We had a one night stand when he was married but his marriage was over way before i come along and it is not something I am proud of.Now 12 years later we have a DS who is 9 and a DD who is 7. His girls live with their mum and we have always tried to see them as much as possible. We have had some issues in the past when DSDs have wanted some time with their dad on their own and we have done that. The girls have been coming to our home more regularly recently and we have always made them feel welcome.
Anyway we went off last week on a family holiday with DHs family and all the kids. Oldest DSD was quiet and sullen and basically there was some frostiness from her and then she declares to her dad and the family that she hates me. I try to hard to be her mum ( I have never done that) i am manipulative and she resents me and my kids and wishes I would go away, For the rest of the holiday she ignored me.
She has really hurt me and I am devestated by this news. DH and his family have been really supportive and have told her she has blown all the hard work I have done with her in the past. DH has told her she is not coming to our home for christmas as he does not want her to treat me this way and now we have a family holiday booked for next year with all the family again and i dont really want to spend another family holiday in this atmosphere again. She said so many hurtfull things about me and also many lies. What do i do because I do not want her to come into my home when i know she hates me and make that atmosphere for my kids. Please give me advice and sorry to ramble.

OP posts:
mumof2monsters · 14/12/2010 19:18
Grin
OP posts:
mumof2monsters · 14/12/2010 19:22

Thanks SMulled I appreciate that. I was surprised by Dittany as everyone else on here has given me some good advice...some of it not always what I would want to hear or do but nevertheless kind helpful advise. DH and his family have been great and supportive and I have made it quite clear to them that they must also support and help DSD as she has issues and although what is happening is not nice she is still young and needs someone to talk to.
I love DH very much and we have always supported each other and he and his family have always praised me for how much I have done for his kids. Thanks to you Smulled you have made me feel a bit better. Smile

OP posts:
BoMBadier · 14/12/2010 20:28

VLADABADABOOM

Dittany for yet again dishing out unhelpful comments you have been BoMBadiered.

Now BoM Off!

wendihouse22 · 14/12/2010 20:47

mumof2...

Only those closest to your situation (years ago) truly know what happened.

It sounds to me so far, that you have acted with patience and dignity.

You can do no more.

And Dittany....we're NOT here to judge.

harassedinhertinselpants · 14/12/2010 20:49

You've had some great advice on here, I can't really add to it. Do ignore Dittany though.......

houseproject · 14/12/2010 21:08

Hi,

Step parenting is a real challenge,mostly because the 2 homes allow the child to be manipulative and it's difficult to enforce boundaries. I have a teen daughter, she is a delight but we've had our moments during her growing up. What has helped is that she knows she has to 'stay and fight' rather than have another home that she's able to run to. This makes step parenting so tough - the child can be disruptive and then simply decide to go back to the other home.'I don't like it here!' I would encourage your DH to communicate with his daughter. There must be something that's driving this behaviour? Would she consider counselling? Just someone neutral to talk to. She should however have a sanction for her behaviour (maybe take away PC time) but I would not ban her from the home. Does her mum know of her outbursts? Would she agree to be joined up on this?
btw, I get how hurtful this is and it will take some time for you to heal but just remember that when she's older she may look back on this time and feel mortified that she was like that to you. I wasn't the best teen to my mum and I'm probadly more respectful to her now because of my behaviour then Confused

dittany · 14/12/2010 21:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

christmasheave · 14/12/2010 21:30

Jog on Dittany, there's a love.

I hear the Food thread has some great recipies for chips.

dittany · 14/12/2010 21:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fluffles · 14/12/2010 21:35

i'm not a step-parent but my i believe that step children should be treated like children of the current relationship.

this means, you cannot ban them from the house (afterall you couldn't throw out your own child)
but it also means that disrepsectful behaviour is NOT tolerated.

i think you should have her for christmas but that your DH should be VERY firm with even the first sign of disruptive or disrespectful behaviour - just as one would be if she were your own 'terrible teen'.

good luck

jonicomelately · 14/12/2010 21:37

I think the thing is dittany that things happen and people have to move on and try to make the best of things which, by the sound of the OP she's trying to do.

Petal02 · 14/12/2010 22:08

Please ignore Dittany. No matter what did, or didn't, happen when your husband's first marriage broke down, it doesn't have any bearing on your present situation.

It's past history, and you could very easily have found yourself in a similar situation regardless of how your stepdaughter's parents broke up.

My husband's daughter, who we haven't seen for three years, behaved attrociously, and said dreadful things - even though I didn't meet her father til two years after he'd split with her mother.

Abip · 14/12/2010 22:40

Please ignore the spiteful comments you see and dont take them to heart. You came on here for advice and I hope you have found it. I agree with some of the other posters about boundaries. When the behaviour is disgusting I think discipline is the key. Take things she wants and enjoys away from her. This way she will eventually see there is nothing to gain. But perservere as she may well be stubborn. I still stand by my feelings. It is respect, and no matter who she is or where she is this is expected. Maybe you could try boot on the other foot and appeal to her consious (sorry spelt wrong!) Stepparenting is hard enough. My DSS is almost 19, my partner and I have lived together for a year now and its a nightmare. DSS has no discipline and DP acts like his mate. There are no boundaries and we constantley row about DSS doing nothing, not working or pulling his weight. DP is a total wet blanket with him. Just thank god that you and your DH have a strong relationship and he sounds very supportive of you. Please update us all and let us know how your getting on

wrongagain · 14/12/2010 23:12

Dittany - the difference here is that we are obviously less narrow minded then others and understand others situations better :O

Now sod off. Your not wanted here.

wrongagain · 14/12/2010 23:13

*You're

mjinsparklystockings · 15/12/2010 03:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

perfectstorm · 15/12/2010 04:04

Mumoftwomonsters I think you need to make it plain that she's always welcome in the family home but that her behaviour will not be tolerated, any more than it would from any other member of the family. That being part of a family is about reciprocal responsibility - a two-way street. She has no right to act in such a rude and histrionic way and if she has a problem, the sensible and polite thing is to sit down and talk it through. Not to be spiteful and aggressive.

It does occur to me that she is old enough to understand the idea of infidelity in a more immediate way than when she was younger, but lacks the life experience to understand how complicated things can be. So she may really be struggling with affection for someone who she knows her father slept with, while with her mother, in a way she never did when younger. Has she a boyfriend now, maybe? Sexual jealousy is very much worse than any imagination could make it and if she now understands it, perhaps her anger comes from that new knowledge? It also occurs as another option that kids do feel rejected when a parent leaves, and perhaps she is finally pushing your DH to see just how much he does, actually, care. For this reason I think he needs to care enough to stress that she is always welcome in your home, but that he also cares enough that he is not going to let her get away with crap. Because taking the trouble to discipline your kids is a form of caring. It takes emotional effort.

I know foster carers say that kids who have suffered in early childhood often seem fine until they hit adolescence, whereupon it all goes horribly wrong. Was the split very traumatic?

I do really admire the way you've tried to meld everyone into a united family. My step-mother number 1 was vile; she once rung me to explain that the family was her, her husband (aka my dad!) and their kids and I was not a member of that family, and that he'd promised her he'd have nothing to do with us, and was breaking that promise and she was very angry that he was breaking that promise. She'd met me once before at that point - and I'd been pleasant! So Dittany can can it, frankly: I know bad step-parenting and this ain't it! You sound far more like my 2nd, fab one, whose side I was on when he left for the third (yeah, my dad is a cretin). Arranging 1-2-1 time for him with the older girls, inviting their mother over, treating them as one family... sounds pretty damn good to me. She's lucky, and I don't think this is about you. It's about her.

I think her dad needs to sit her down and talk it all through. She has issues, and you may well just be the scapegoat.

prettyfly1 · 16/12/2010 11:01

Dittany - if you prefer the attitudes of the rest of the site so much GO THERE. It doesnt matter what the subject is, why the issue has arisen or what has happened - you are NEVER helpful, supportive or understanding and quite frankly noone wants you here with your petty, bitchy judgements and projection of your own clearly bitter issues. Feel free to come back when you can be helpful.

Op - can you switch it round for a bit. Sometimes it is something that works for me. I get what you mean about her making it miserable for your kids, but if it were your kids being teenage monsters - which I promise you at some point they will be - would you not have them there for christmas? She is being a cow - I was a cow - she will grow up - I grew up - and she will change - everythign is black and white as a teen and the world revolves around them. I sympathise massively but you cant refuse her presence at christmas - it is the one thing she wont forget as an adult put it that way.

pinkbraces · 16/12/2010 12:23

You have had some brilliant advice and I agree with the posters who say please try and not use the family home as a punishment. Rather punish the offence as it happens. She is and always will be part of your family, along with your children and for that reason shouldnt be told that she isnt welcome.

When I was about her age, I went through some teenage angst and fell out with my step mother who tried to ban me from my family home, thankfully my dad didnt allow it. I was however, punished for being a cow :)

DollyPS · 16/12/2010 23:51

Do they really change that much that they actually like the step parent no they wont or dont cos they will blame that other person for whatever they can. This is only stopped when the bio parent says enough is enough.

It isnt a bed of roses being a step parent and I think you should let her father step up to the plate with regards to this. He shouldnt be making excuses for her but dealing with her offensive behaviour cos thats what it is.

mumof2monsters · 17/12/2010 11:09

Thanks everyone for all your kind comments. I have said to DH that he should have her at our house on boxind day as we agreed but he has told her no and that it was his decision as he will not tolerate her behaviour and let her spoil it for everyone else. I have my mum coming for christmas and she is old ish and a bit frail and he thought it was not fair on her either.
Turns out from the ex of DH that now both his girls are saying that I am manipulative! Typical but not surprised and she seems to be backing her sister.

DH called them last night but the older of the two who we are having the problems with refused to speak to him as she was not ready and too angry! I personally think she may just be embarassed but not sure.

I have always tried to do my best by DH girls and recently things seemed good Confused as DSD would sit in the kitchen and confide in me about school etc and I would go shopping with her occassionally. When they have come to our house at weekends I have gone off to bed early to give them time with their dad to watch a dvd or chat so not sure why I am so bad.

I am just going to let DH lead this one. He is very disappointed in her as he said I have done lots for them for the last 12 years.

Trouble is now they are both saying that I am manipulative...don't think I am but now I am analyising everything I have said or done. Is that normal?

I think for me and for her we just need a bit of space from each other until things calm and then we will see. I would never ban her from my home though. I spent all of yesterday finishing off their christmas presents and buying them nice stuff just wish they would realise that.

I never thought that step parenting would be this difficult as I have always tried to include DSDs and even their mother to family events etc. I hope that my own children won't treat me this way when they are teenagers but I guess I will have to wait and see.

OP posts:
christmasheave · 17/12/2010 12:18

I think the problem you have now MO2M is that your DBDs will blame you and not DH for her not being allowed in the house over xmas, whether you want her to come or not. Its a lot easier for you to be the person at fault than it is for them to accept its their Dad saying it.

The best thing for everyone would be if he relents.

I hear you about being a step-parent. I have experienced things that no regular person would put up with in any other situation!

prettyfly1 · 17/12/2010 13:30

Your dh is making a huge mistake - the girls will want to believe their dad is good and kind and loves them and YOU made him do it and as one of three girls who could tear each other apart, if someone else starts it we would defend each other like mini tigers - you will get it from both. YOU not your dh will always be blamed and all buying them stuff will do is make them think you think you can pay them off for stealing their dad. YOU need him to back down, and fast. Not a good move on his part at all - they are teenagers being teenagers and if I am not much mistaken I can see this getting way worse for you now. Sorry but its true.

mjinsparklystockings · 17/12/2010 13:53

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Message withdrawn

Miggsie · 17/12/2010 14:27

It sounds like your step daughter is forcing a kind of power confrontation making her dad choose between you and her. If she was still with her mum she probably would have forced it there as well. She is trying to establish the family pecking order by the look of it, but doing it in a hurtful way (for you) although she probably, like most teens, is not aware how hurtful she is being. She needs to feel loved and needed but she is lashing out a bit and no wonder you are upset.

I think your DH is right to say her behaviour isn't acceptable, but she does need him to say he loves her, but he doesn't like the way she is behaving at the moment.

It also sounds like she does like and trust you, but she needs to be secure in her father's love and attention and has chosen to pick on you rather than have the difficult conversation with her dad.

Your DH needs to let her know that his love and support is there, and it doesn't mean he neglects his other loved ones, but she can't have his 100% attention, it isn't possible or fair.

If she is a typical teen, this will take a while to sink in though.