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Dp's 7yr old French daughter is coming to stay for the first time and although I am delighted, I am a bit nervous too.

3 replies

CreepyCrawlyCarmenere · 14/10/2006 16:29

Dp has a 7yr old dd who lives with her mum in Paris. He see's her about 6/8 times a year and supports her financially(we have limited finances so he can't visit more often). Her mum has only recently decided to allow her to come here so happily she is coming at the begining of next month

I am really delighted that she is going to meet her little sister( my dd) although they have seen each other via webcam and dp and dss are all really, really excited about it.

I think it should all go ok but the problems I forsee are that firstly she has limited english and I have limited French, dss can speak french but will be at school during the days, dp has limited french and will be at work during the days. I'm going to get a computer programme that can translate so hopefully it will be ok.

Secondly although they know about each other(and are enthusiastic about each other) I'm a little wary about how the girls will actually get on.
French dsd loves her dad and is used to getting all his attention in the limited time they spend together, he's her special dad and may well think of herself as his special dd iyswim. She may be a little jealous of a cute toddler who also is used to getting all his attention.

She may not be, I may be thinking myself into a muddle but dp doesn't like me raising my concerns so I'm sounding off here.

I'm being silly aren't I?

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
edam · 14/10/2006 16:43

Don't think you are being silly at all, it's a bit intimidating. Not sure what there is to do about it apart from plunge right in and have a French/English dictionary to hand, though! Make her feel welcome, obv., and try to be patient if she does act up - it's very difficult meeting a step-mother for the first time. I was excessively nervous and polite when it happened to me, my sister was very rude (stroppy 7yo very cross that this meant her mummy and daddy wouldn't get back together again). Can't imagine how much more complicated it would have been if there'd been a language barrier too. Hopefully the fact there are three kids will mean everyone mucks in to some extent. Your dd will provide some entertainment, give everyone something to talk about, I'm sure!

ggglimpopo · 14/10/2006 16:52

Message withdrawn

CreepyCrawlyCarmenere · 14/10/2006 16:59

Thanks for the responses. Oh yes Barbie is popular with French dsd and I suppose will now be introduced to dd, hey ho. You know I'm sure they will get on ok, I just really want her to like it here as I really want the girls to get to know each other and have a close relationship.
My relationship with my siblings is one of the most valuable things in my life and I want that for my dd. She has a 15yr old half sister that refuses to see her even though she lives 10 minutes away

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