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Step-parenting

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

Full time step mum

73 replies

ReluctantStepMum · 26/11/2013 13:02

I hate my role as ft step mum to 16 DSS and nearly 18 DSD. They moved in with us in february but I still cant used to having my space compromised. I love my husband but cant stand my life. What do I do??

OP posts:
Cluffyflump · 28/11/2013 23:24

God those poor kids.
Your 'belongs in a loony bin' [sic] is disgraceful.
Grow up.

Petal02 · 29/11/2013 07:58

I've heard plenty of bio parents refer to their kids as "little shits" ........

OP, is your husband completely aware of how you feel, and that you'd prefer to have your own place if it were possible?

ReluctantStepMum · 29/11/2013 08:17

Ive told him our marriage is over. Cluffyflump, they are not poor kids, one is an adult in 2 months, as she keeps telling me. I take it you haven't been in my situation, driven to despair and depression by something you did not wish for, and have to deal with teenage moods full time when you have never had kids yourself. Do not tell me what to do, you probably have no idea what this situation is like.

OP posts:
Petal02 · 29/11/2013 08:21

OP, what was his reaction when you told him the marriage was over? Would he really prefer a divorce instead of doing some parenting?

To the hostile posters: this lady is clearly having a crisis. If you wish to be constructive, then that's great. If not, then go and finish your Christmas shopping.

ReluctantStepMum · 29/11/2013 08:34

Petal, he just said ok. It was at 6am this morning, and he is not good at waking up, but we had another foul argument about me not accepting his kids' attitudes. I told him he is in denial about my feelings, and flowers and cuddles do not cut the mustard when there is a bad atmosphere. His only response was that he offers these gestures because he loves me.

I have now decided to completely ignore all three of them, do no shopping or cooking, and act as if I am living on my own. It's the only way I can cope. I don't want the expense of moving out - yet.

OP posts:
Cluffyflump · 29/11/2013 10:28

I take it you haven't been in the position of having a mother with severe MH issues, yet you feel able to judge and insult.
You knew of the children's existence before you married your Dh? You might well not have wished for this, but it was always a possibility.

I don't like some of your views, but I am sorry that you are going through this.
I hope your Dh is able to come up with some way of keeping you all happy.

Kaluki · 29/11/2013 10:44

So the OP didn't use the best turn of phrase but she is clearly at the end of her tether. How about being supportive instead of jumping all over her?
OP I think detaching is the way to go for now. Your DSD is pushing all your buttons and her dad is letting her. That's the problem. He needs to be a united front with you and not gang up against you with his kids.
I'm sure they have had a rough time with their Mum, but this is no excuse to treat you badly.

Kaluki · 29/11/2013 10:48

Cluffy - saying she knew what she was getting into when she married him is rather like saying to a widow "well you knew he might die first when you married him!" or to a struggling first time Mum with PND "you knew what you were getting into when you had children"
Nobody knows how their future will pan out or how they will react to certain situations.
I love my DP and love my DSC but the thought of ever having them full time fills me with dread and I don't honestly know if I could cope with it. Hopefully it won't happen but if it did I would need help and support not judgement.

ReluctantStepMum · 29/11/2013 10:55

8 years ago we fought the system (CAFCASS) to take custody of then 3 kids, but were just told go away as their self harming mother would be fine raising them. 1 year ago she dumps it all on us saying she can't cope. It was a car crash waiting to happen, and after 7 years of relative calm we get thrown in at the deep end. To be honest, I would have been happier to take 3 kids on full time at an earlier age, when you can grow together. Now we are dealing with 2 late teens, who inherited no life skills from their mother, so we have had to start from scratch, in the most simple of life skills. After taking them full time into a formerly very happy household, I am devastated by the ingratitude, and how it is wrecking a formerly very blissful marriage. I married at 44, so have been round the block. DH hasn't had parenting skills since 2004 apart from the odd stay overs and holidays, so he is also pretty naive with parenting teenagers. There's a lot of history and of course I knew about the kids' existence nearly 10 years ago, but the "establishment" chose to ignore our concerns about their mother. Now we are suffering as a consequence.

OP posts:
ReluctantStepMum · 29/11/2013 19:40

Email asking how I want to proceed with splitting up financial commitments, including house sale etc! Xmas is going to be fun - not. I have decided I am not buying any presents or cards. Not exactly top of my agenda, and I hate Xmas anyway.......

OP posts:
Petal02 · 29/11/2013 20:03

What???? He's prepared to let you go without even a conversation about how things could be rescued?? Is he bluffing??

I'm so sorry to hear this. If he's prepared to throw in the towel so readily, it makes me wonder how committed he is.

ReluctantStepMum · 29/11/2013 20:29

Petal, I now have no idea how he thinks. We have been together over 9 years, married almost 5. I have been stuck in our bedroom for over 3 hours to avoid being with kids and general situation. I think he is reading this dialogue. Just a hunch, but gut feeling always works for me. He is prepared to lose me over 2 kids who could actually legally find their own way in the world if they had the balls. Not something I thought he would do, but then I now realise that he doesn't have any balls himself.

OP posts:
Noctilucent · 29/11/2013 20:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Petal02 · 29/11/2013 20:46

Well just in case he is reading: I think he's spineless twat and a useless parent, and in a few years time when both girls are independent, he might find the bed rather cold, and regret what he's lost. He's going to be a very lonely old man.

ReluctantStepMum · 29/11/2013 20:59

Yes, Noct, but that was my fault, being too trusting, and showing him what posters were advising. He only clocked the critics who damned me and told me that I was in the wrong for feeling the way I do. That was August!!

Petal, beds gone cold, shame as it was always rather hot. Girl 18 in Jan, boy just 16. I have just been downstairs to get wine, you could cut the air with a sharp knife. Daughter always hogging the kitchen for some reason or other, drives me mad. As stupid as it sounds, but I wish she would get out of the bloody way sometimes!

OP posts:
ReluctantStepMum · 30/11/2013 13:11

Our dogs have cottoned onto my mood, and won't leave my side, bless them. Dogs are so intuitive. They are my best friends at the moment.

OP posts:
Petal02 · 30/11/2013 13:38

Has there been any dialogue between the two of you?

cavell · 30/11/2013 13:58

You may not want to be in this situation, but I don't suppose your stepchildren do, either. And if their father is a decent dad, he will put their needs before yours (and his own).

I appreach this scenario as someone who knows exactly what it is like to be the unwelcome step daugher in someone else's house. It is bl**dy awful and I would never wish that fate on anyone. You are not the only one in your house who is having a hard time.

"This too will pass".
Your step children won't be living with you forever. It may feel like it, but one day you will look back and all "this" will seem like a short phase in your life.

cavell · 30/11/2013 14:01

"Daughter always hogging the kitchen for some reason or other, drives me mad."

When my own dd does this, it usually means she wants to talk to me about something, but isn't sure how to start the conversation. Just saying.

Petal02 · 30/11/2013 14:04

Cavell, but in any sort of family set-up, it's about finding a compromise that works for everyone, not just the children?

cavell · 30/11/2013 14:26

Yes, of course it is. What I am trying to say was to try not to make it into a "choose them or choose me" situation because.... well, who should he choose? Let down his children who, from the bare minimum you have posted here, have a had a rough time of things? Or let down his wife who has tried so hard to support him and his family? There is no "good" solution for him, as least not as far as I can see.

This situation with your stepchildren won't be forever. You are obviously deparately unhappy and resentful - yet, in this, you probably have a lot more in common with your stepchildren than you imagine.

They won't be grateful to you, not yet, because they probably don't yet have the maturity to realise just what sacrifices you have had to make for them. One day they will realise - but that day may be months or even years hence.

You sound as if you have done lost of things right. Is there any way you could make a bit more physical apace - a loft/garage conversion or a garden office. An extra sitting room for the step-kids or a private space for you to work from? Things like dogs can be good ice-breakers. Could you ask them to they take the dogs out for a walk sometimes to save you the "job", to allow you a bit of time in the house on your own, and make themselves feel useful?

They might well act like sulky brats at times - indeed they may well be exactly that. But sulks are often simply unexpressed anger. Anger at what, I dunno... having their lives disrupted, having to leave home and their friends, anger at being expected to appears somehow grateful for all this...

Things can get better. It won't be easy. But they can.

ReluctantStepMum · 30/11/2013 14:34

Petal, no dialogue other than to say "this is what we have, put up with it"

Cavell, no she does not want to talk, she is just always in the way getting her own needs, ie drink, packed lunch, whilst texting on her mobile. Our kitchen is small, not efficient enough for family needs.

I have spent an hour pulling up old plants in the garden, great therapy!

Stepson has loitered in his room all day, whilst supposed to be getting his hair cut. They are all out tonite, hurrah! I was supposed to be going but cancelled. Shame, it's a family do, but they have given bugger all support, so I prefer to stay at home.

OP posts:
ReluctantStepMum · 30/11/2013 14:39

Cavell, our posts crossed. Will reply later as need to take dogs out before it gets dark lol !

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ReluctantStepMum · 30/11/2013 18:02

Am feeling totally depressed. Seeing a good friend tomorrow but she will not want to hear all my crap. I don't know what to do.

OP posts:
Noctilucent · 30/11/2013 18:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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