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Step-parenting

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I'm annoyed, really annoyed!

289 replies

LazySusan11 · 18/11/2017 18:32

Dh and I were at an event last night with friends, dsd was staying with a friend..we have her this weekend sat-tues. last night she called at 8pm and asked what time we’d be home, dh told her we would be late and she didn’t want to know anymore. Given she was staying with a friend and it wasn’t officially our night we thought no more of it.

Got home in the early hours (event was an hrs drive away) and we couldn’t work out if we’d been burgled or had a ghost! It was very apparent that dsd had come to ours that evening let herself in with her friends and had quite the party.

Bowls and glasses left out, her bag, overnight bag, socks etc in a trail from downstairs to upstairs, mess everywhere. A bloodied sanitary towel thrown in the bathroom bin not wrapped or put in anything and clothes in our bedroom had been moved, my makeup had been used and left elsewhere.

This morning I went to collect the cigarettes my friend had left at ours before we left for the event and had forgotten to pick them up to drop them off on my way out, only to find they had gone. A full unopened pack.

Dh spoke to dsd on the phone who expressed she felt it was her right to spend a few hours at ours without us being there and apparently her and 3 others were in our bedroom lying on our bed, 2 of the girls went through my drawers whilst other 2 tried on my lipsticks etc.

I am really bloody unhappy about this, of course she is entitled to come to us whenever she likes when we are there, however she specifically checked that we wouldn’t be at home.

I feel as though my personal space has been hugely violated. How dare they go through my belongings and use my make up. She knows who stole the cigarettes too.

Dh is shocked that frankly she could behave this way and also annoyed as I am.

Dsd is 14, not an adult!

OP posts:
Autumnskiesarelovely · 21/11/2017 09:13

of course she is entitled to come to us whenever she likes when we are there I’d urge against this. It just sets up too many situations a kid can fall through the cracks and can lead to staying with easy parent more and more and alienating the stricter parent.

LazySusan11 · 21/11/2017 09:27

Dh was with me, he was dealing with it or rather also refusing to engage. Both of us gave her a hug it’s not all me Dh is very hands on just finds himself at a loss sometimes.

Dsd dm thought she was at friends house, friends Mum and dm had spoken all was good, friends dm allowed them to go out and thats when they then came to ours. In total 8 of them.

Dsd will be seeing someone professional, we are aware she needs to speak to someone properly and that is being taken care of. There has to be some radical changes in behaviour, attitude and how she is parented. We are all aware of this. I’m hoping this is the start.

OP posts:
Melony6 · 21/11/2017 13:28

She sounds very angry and is if she is taking that out on you by invading your privacy, taking your things.
Could she be jealous of the loving relationship you have with DH? Does her DM have a new man in her life? Is she feeling angry and jealous and that she doesn't quite belong at either house? Is she the only one in her friends who has to split between two homes so she feels deprived?
Is she envious that you have all the makeup /nice things you want but she has to settle for less? Does she go out much - sees you and DH socialising and having fun whilst she lacks close friends?

All quite trivial things but teen emotions can just take off as we can all probably remember. None of these justify her bad behaviour but try to get to the bottom of it so you can allow her to vent her anger but also so she can work out for herself what is the real reason for it. She is probably in denial of her jealousy, or whatever it is, that is making her be so horrid towards you.

gingergenius · 21/11/2017 18:40

Keep on keeping on OP. Life is a work in progress. You, her Mum and your DH are all invested and doing all the right things. There are no magic wands. Hats off to you x

DarthMaiden · 21/11/2017 21:48

Good luck for the future OP.

As bad as it’s been, maybe - in so far it’s been a catalyst for change - some good will come from it and all of you will emerge from this closer and stronger Flowers

Wdigin2this · 21/11/2017 22:19

Yes she's a young teen, yes she's probably jealous of your relationship with her DF....but FGS, her outrageous behaviour cannot just be glossed over!
I haven't read the whole thread, but I'm hoping for your sake, her parents realise the enormity of her awful behaviour, and get to the bottom of it and DEAL with it appropriately!
And yes...I would put a lock on your bedroom door, and I'd tell her it's because, she's proved herself untrustworthy!

Wdigin2this · 21/11/2017 22:35

OMG, just read a few more of your posts LS I cannot believe she was allowed to go to the party, let alone refusing to come home!
I'm assuming her DF is bigger and stronger than her, so why didn't he just pick her up and strap/lock her in the car, just as you would with the 5 year old she is acting like. And before anyone says, you can't treat your child like that....yes you can when they are disobeying you to the point of endangering themselves!
This child needs a firm grounding, her shocking behaviour is pushing you both, to see if she can break you....I really feel for you, and I think you all need outside help!

LazySusan11 · 26/11/2017 19:03

I'm here again! I've had so much good advice I need to ask something again. I haven't seen dsd since the day after it all went nuts as I have been away with Work whilst Dh has had here, she's going to be at ours when I return tonight and she's told Dh she wants us all to sit and watch a film.

I'm not angry anymore but I don't feel like playing happy families either, at no point has dsd taken responsibility for her choices nor has she given me a straight up apology.

Obviously I don't want to make her feel awkward and I don't intend on punishing her but my face doesn't lie, I have a good resting bitch face Confused how do I play this later?

On the plus side I have the new orange fever tree tonic that will go lovely with my gin!

OP posts:
BananaSandwichesEveryDay · 26/11/2017 19:19

I'd just say you are still feeling hurt at her behaviour and that as you're also tired from the journey, you'd rather not commit to a family activity. She neeeds to know that somethings are not so easily forgiven and forgotten. And actually, even a basic apology does not make what she did right.

LazySusan11 · 26/11/2017 19:21

I agree an apology doesn't make things better but it does go a long way in showing me she feels some remorse. To her she feels justified in her actions and won't be told otherwise.

OP posts:
NewLove · 26/11/2017 19:27

Just caught up and well done for diffusing the situation (Brought tears to my eyes).

One thing I don't think anyone has mentioned is her parents (and you) need to have a serious talk with her about taking and sending revealing pictures - she can be prosecuted for distributing indecent images of children and put on the sex offenders register. She needs to be made aware of how serious this is :(

And I'm with you - I wouldn't feel much like playing happy families either... It does sound like she may be handing out and olive branch or buttering you both up so she can have privileges baxk hold strong.

Biglettuce · 26/11/2017 19:37

Yes I do think you need to have her apologize to you both.

I’ve had a couple of situations with my step kids and I didn’t make them apologize - I really regret this now. As step parents it’s even more important as it’s much more common for a feeling that we are wrong / over reacted to set in.

In my situation those incidents have, unbeknown to me, been gone over with mum / their siblings / my DP at later dates - and now it’s crept in that I was in the wrong somehow. I was not yet because I chose not to rock the boat, and demand an apology, the kids in question now are alienated from. Quite a big consequence as it was either them admit to being wrong, and us getting over it, and moving on but keeping a good relationship - or scapegoating me.

Now that doesn’t seem like it in your case, however this girl needs to admit that it is her who needs to change, and to admit that she broke a trust.

LazySusan11 · 26/11/2017 19:42

Came home and she's sat on the sofa laughing her head off didn't glance in my direction I have been completely ignored and that has made me Angry perhaps this is her way of dealing with things she is after all still a child. I've come upstairs out of the way.

I'm starting to feel like I've done something wrong! Thankfully Dh and his ex have a very good relationship and we get on well and both have been incredibly supportive of me. Ah well, I have a new book to read so I'll take my peace and quiet!

OP posts:
gingergenius · 26/11/2017 19:51

Op I imagine that's her 'brazening it out'. She's not emotionally mature enough to deal with this properly (let's face it we know adults who can't handle being called out on their shit)

She's probably performing so she 'looks' as though she doesn't give a shit. I bet she does absolutely give a shit but saving face is more important.

Silly girl.

NewLove · 26/11/2017 19:56

Don't be pushed out of your own lounge - slippery slope... Maybe read a book in the same room but do not be pushed out

Biglettuce · 26/11/2017 20:23

Was she laughing with your DH and ignoring you?

Slippery slope indeed...

LazySusan11 · 26/11/2017 20:44

Well she was laughing didn't hear Dh. I've decided to have a clear out of my room so I can put things away where small hands can't find them. I don't feel particularly uncomfortable but I cannot sit in the same room as her.

OP posts:
LazySusan11 · 26/11/2017 21:23

I've been in the lounge to get some stuff, dsd again ignored me and carried on talking to Dh as if I didn't exist. Dh never spoke to me. In their own world At this point I'm questioning my marriage. I don't know if I'm being precious or he's an arsehole.

OP posts:
gingergenius · 26/11/2017 21:26

Your DH needs to address the matter whilst you're in the room. He obviously doesn't want to burst the bubble and it sounds like she could be playing in that.

becotide · 26/11/2017 21:40

She's very much relying on your husband to not challenge her. She doesn't care whether or not you challenge her, unfortunately for step-mothers, we don't have any status in our own homes, except that which is given by the child's father.

Go downstairs. Raise this. And raise it like "Your father and I are disappointed with your behaviour, explain yourself"

And your husband is a COWARD if he doesn't back y0ou

LazySusan11 · 26/11/2017 21:42

I'm too mad to speak to either of them, I'm furious with Dh what an absolute cock womble. It's also 10 mins over her bedtime so it seems he is reinforcing her behaviour. Dick.

OP posts:
becotide · 26/11/2017 21:43

Has he got Daddy's Little Princess syndrome? because that's not something that goes away.

Butterymuffin · 26/11/2017 21:44

If he's got his phone with him, text him and say she needs to go to bed now and you'd like to talk to him afterwards.

becotide · 26/11/2017 21:44

Have you got a lock on your bedroom door btw, because I wouldn't be leaving her unattended upstairs and I would be VERY clear about the reason why.

Wallywobbles · 26/11/2017 21:58

I’d be psychotic in your shoes. With both of them.

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