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anyone have SDCs living with you full time

6 replies

6tantrumsaday · 24/01/2014 20:21

Just wondering if anyone is in the same boat as me
I have 2 DSSs who are now here full time they are 10. I also have two DCs with DH (6,3).

I was wondering how others cope with it. Don't get me wrong I love them and I treat them just like my DCs but it is very hard sometimes.
Sometimes if they are angry I get told your not my mum so I don't have too. They are also at an age where they want to know more about their mum and why they don't see her but at the same time they are too young to know all the details.
Also people frequently comment saying how 'brave' I am taking them on,and how they couldn't do it. This really gets on my nerves and I always smile and say that it's worth but sometimes it really doesn't feel like it.

So anyone out there?

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
6tantrumsaday · 24/01/2014 20:24

Sorry that was more of a getting it off my chest post. I don't usually admit how hard it can be. Non of my friends have this and when I try to explain it to them they say that it's my fault as I knew what I was getting into. Or they just don't get it and don't see why it is any different from having your own DCs.

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charliefoxtrot · 24/01/2014 21:45

I feel your pain! My DSD came to live with us when she was 13 - because she couldn't stay with her mum anymore, and certainly not because she wanted to. DH went to drop her off at her mums, he was gone an hour, then came back with her. She had a bin liner in her hand with clothes in. She stood in the hall, glared at me and said 'apparently, I live here now'. It was like my worst nightmare come true! (and hers as well)

She has been through a LOT, and I know none of it is her fault. I did find though, that when I needed someone to vent to, my friends just didn't understand. Their attitude was either that I should sent her back to her mum (even though her mum shouldn't be allowed to look after plants, let alone children), or that it is all DH's problem and I should just leave him to it.

It's been sort of like having a house guest that stayed for a few years. It's a difficult situation. People tell you to disengage, which is hard to do from someone who lives with you unless you have a massive house. But at the same time, you can't pretend you're not responsible for this child who, after all, is an innocent child. I found that it was easier to actually do the right thing than it was to want to do the right thing.

I have found different ways of coping over the years, but the one mantra that I still say to myself is this: This is MY house and I am in charge. I do often have to take a step back and let her parents make decisions for her, but if DH expects her to live here, then he has to accept that I have a role in her life. I've been telling myself that for years, but things got easier once I started believing it!

I hope things settle down for you soon

DharmaBumpkin · 25/01/2014 05:32

Me... DSD came for a weekend visit three years ago and never went back to her Mum's. I am really struggling at the moment, after a couple of years of really enjoying having her here full time, because she is entering the pre-teen hormonal horror stage, which I think is a struggle for many parents let alone steps! And H has said that he is done having more kids Sad Our DD always comes second best to DSD & I feel really sad that she'll be denied a full blood sibling so she can see the dynamic is not her fault. And I want another baby, so so much. I aware it's not DSD's decision but I struggle not to resent her perceived needs being put first, yet again.

6tantrumsaday · 25/01/2014 20:05

Glad I am not the only one.

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RandomMess · 25/01/2014 20:08

My first marriage, dsd lived with exdh - it didn't go well. Not her fault, she was a child who had been through a lot of crap. With her crap, my crap and exdh's crap, a schizophenic MIL, my crap parents - hardly surprising it didn't work out...

It is really really hard and sometimes, very sadly, love alone isn't enough.

6tantrumsaday · 25/01/2014 20:54

Yes it is hard and I agree with randommess and lots of the time love isn't enough.

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