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Step-parenting

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

Wwyd, step daughter vs dh

24 replies

Livedandlearned2 · 13/09/2018 09:30

This is the situation: I've been with dh for 10 years, have 3 dcs of my own, he has 3 too. Live with two of his plus my 3.

His dcs came to live with us after his exw went downhill completely, alcohol abuse, violence, gambling, all in all not a good environment so we had the dcs. It was hard but settled quickly.

When they lived with their mum they had no encouragement to go to school, missed 12 weeks in one year, that's added to usual school holidays, so a lot!
Since they lived here they blossomed and have done well overall. Sdd has gone to sixth form to do Alevels. Sds in college to do a diploma.
Sdd stays at her mums every weekend, she has a job and asks dh to take her there, he provides all transport as exw doesn't drive. She also has never paid any maintenance, however she buys clothes and makeup for her kids.

My issue is that when dh says no to lifts, sds gets very very nasty, very defensive of her mum, cannot see how it's more fair to share bus fares, taxi costs etc.

I feel maybe she could move back to her mum's, the atmosphere in my house lately isn't nice, my dd shares a room with her and it's becoming awkward. Sdd has a toxic nature towards her dad, can be horrible but only when he says no to a request. I know this is normal to a point but I feel like saying she can move back if she thinks it would be better.

The reason I don't is because I think it would be the end of the relationship we have with her, it's teetering on the edge.

I will say however, she and I never have cross words. She only does it to dh.

OP posts:
HeckyPeck · 13/09/2018 17:22

What a difficult situation.

Your DSD probably doesn’t feel able to ask her mum for taxi money/bus fare etc. Her mum doesn’t sound reasonable and I imagine after everything DSD feels like she can’t rock the boat so much with how her DM has behaved in the past. Kids do tend to be harsher to the parents they feel most secure with. I wouldn’t expect DSD to have to go to battle with her mum and would hope her Dad would protect her as much as possible (as it seems you have by getting residency etc)

Does your DH give in to the nastiness? If not, I think just ride it out. He can explain why he’s not available to give lifts, but maybe pay for bus fare if her mum won’t. (It’s not her fault her mum is shit so it feels unfair that DSD would miss out on work etc) eventually DSD will see that her tantrums don’t get her anywhere, but her dad does care about her getting to work etc and isn’t just saying no because he can’t be bothered/thinks her mum should.

If he does give in, then that’s the starting point. Kids continue having tantrums when they work.

Please don’t say for her to move back though. It won’t help and will just make her feel more rejected.

Be consistent with not giving in and having rules in place for all the kids with appropriate consequences and she should grow out of it.

Livedandlearned2 · 13/09/2018 18:06

Thank you for reading and your advice. It's certainly.given me another.point of view to consider.

He falls apart when she gets nasty. He has that guilt that divorced parents often have, especially remarried ones.

I've wondered whether to say to her that she's old enough to decide to live were she feels most happy. If she chooses home then she cannot speak to her dad like that. And if she chooses dm's then that might be for the best.

OP posts:
averythinline · 13/09/2018 18:16

Please don't say that to her.....
You don't say how old she is but it's clear her mum is not in a place to support her...
She's obviously had loads of crap to deal with....
I think it's reasonable for you and your DH to talk it through with her and consequences for being horrible as general family behaviour....but it seems a bit extreme to kick her out...
She equally should not be asked to choose between the parents with the background you've given..
Why has your DH changed giving her lifts. ..sounds like consistency and security have really helped the step DC so why change?

Maybe all get together and have a plan ...so she s involved in a more adult fashion..

Has she had counseling regarding her DM? Must have been a heavy burden for her...

Livedandlearned2 · 13/09/2018 18:25

She's 16. Dh didn't suddenly stop giving lifts, he's always done it, but gets very fed up with driving to exw's to collect his dcs when she never contributes.

We could sit down and discuss this, in a few days when it's all calmed down.

The way I see it is that dm is poisoning sdd against dh, as we got her dcs, we won in her eyes.

It's all so bloody complicated, I'm never going to slate her dm, but she makes life difficult with her 'helpful input'.

OP posts:
Livedandlearned2 · 13/09/2018 18:26

No she hasn't had counselling, her brother has but sdd seemed fine.

OP posts:
oracle2811 · 13/09/2018 19:16

Why does he say no to her asking for a lift ? Your SD is probably anxious that she will not get to see her mum. Think your DH needs to be more helpful, and you need to leave them to resolve it.

Livedandlearned2 · 13/09/2018 19:25

He takes her to her mum's without fail every friday evening. It's the lifts over the weekend when she isn't in our care that he objects to.

OP posts:
averythinline · 13/09/2018 19:46

She may have seemed fine but I'd be surprised if there's not been any emotional damage from that situation...and she probably has very mixed feelings about her mum

If it's journeys while she's at her mum's does she have an allowance she could use for taxis?? This isn't likely to be a long term thing and may just be a testing thing....

Livedandlearned2 · 13/09/2018 19:53

Her brother had anxiety from the events at mum's but sdd was the favourite and so didn't really have much happen to her, she used to put her mum to bed if she had been drinking in the day. I doubt she would accept counselling, but I am willing to offer it.

The allowance idea is good. I'll suggest that to dh. I'm always looking for ways to try and help things run smoothly. I hate all the confrontation between them.

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MrsChollySawcutt · 13/09/2018 19:55

Really don't wade in and tell SDD she can go back to her Mum's. That would be like throwing petrol on a bonfire.

Teenage girls can be bloody hard work, she probably thinks she is being perfectly reasonable asking her Dad to ferry her about. Obviously it's not fair on you and DH but n this situation, where the kids have to be parted from their mother, I think I would suck it up as much as possible.

Perhaps a sit down talk about what you will and won't do plus an emergency taxi fund?

Livedandlearned2 · 13/09/2018 20:03

You're so right about teenage girls, she's really hard work with regards to discussing how things can be done fairly, she will agree and then go right ahead and do the opposite.

From advice I've read on other threads I believe she is pushing dh away to see how.much he will take, but to see it happening and hear her parroting her dm is painful.

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Bananasinpyjamas11 · 13/09/2018 20:15

It is really tough, you are in a very hard position. Well done though for giving those kids stability so far, they’ve obviously thrived and that has got to be partly you.

My DP is also taxi for all his daughters, despite them being all over 18 now. He frequently gets messages ‘Mum asked me to ask you... ‘ and he gets lots of praise if he does, and totally ignored when he doesn’t or told by his Ex he does nothing for them. It’s turned my semi reasonable step kids into rude selfish grabby people, it’s hard when you’ve invested and care for a child to see them become like that. It can also not be ‘just a teenage phase’ - eldest DSD has become unbearable and she’s 25!

What to do? Start talking to your DH first. Lay out it from his kids welfare point of view. Say something each time they are rude to him in front of you. Zero tolerance on the treatment of your kids, no horribleness towards them tolerated. I wouldn’t suggest the move out yet until you’ve tried. As they are better off with you it sounds. It not to the expense of the household harmony if they refuse basic respect.

Digestive28 · 13/09/2018 20:22

It sounds really tough. I wonder if she is, as you say, testing DH. If so I think it would be really sad if she was asked to move out, she is testing the relationship and looking for rejection and then gets it. There is many steps between now and moving out, if you can hold to it, find a way through I think you will reap the rewards with an adult secure in the fact they are loved/loveable. It’s such a tricky situation but your theougfulness and care for all concerned shines through.

umberellaonesie · 13/09/2018 20:23

Consistency is key here.
I think that is is reasonable to give sdd a lift to get mums on a Friday and collect her to bring her home.
But lifts to friends work etc while she is at mums is unreasonable. I think giving her money for bus fares/ taxis while she is at her mums is fair. Agree an amount mutually between sdd and dh and hold the line.

buckeejit · 13/09/2018 20:32

That is tough OP-agree with all pps & think if she has anything v important regularly over the weekend then dh should help if poss. Otherwise she needs to arrange buses or give up some socialising while she's at dm's.

She seems to do what a lot of non resident fathers appear to & buy pleasing gifts rather than contribute maintenance. She is probably holding a lot of guilt. Its not easy for anyone, agree she should get counselling. There are also probably charities that could offer you & dh advice in providing support to the rest of the family for this.

Livedandlearned2 · 13/09/2018 20:36

Bananas your situation is identical to mine, my dh has exactly the same treatment. And his dc are becoming grabby etc. The relief that someone else has a similar problem is very reassuring.

Thank you for your kind words and advice. I'm taking it all in and will talk to dh and come up with a plan, and as always, take it day by day.

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Livedandlearned2 · 13/09/2018 20:42

There's such a massive history with this, but what I'm getting from the things sdd says when she's being toxic, is that dm is quietly getting her dc to hate dh, as we have the dc and she doesn't. I'd be so willing to co-parent with her but that will never happen.

You've opened my eyes to how sds must view her mum, and probably compare us as I'm relatively normal.

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Bananasinpyjamas11 · 13/09/2018 21:25

It’s just crap isn’t it. Such a shame really. The resilience we need as SMs. And the manipulation from some Exes! I’d never have believed it until it me. And I am an Ex myself, so understand what it’s like. Yet the manipulation! For some the father is a soft easy target.

averythinline · 13/09/2018 21:37

Having to put your drunk mother to bed is definitely going to have affected her....

maybe if shes not up for support and you dh could maybe look at al-anon to support you support her if you get my meaning...

teenage hood is hard for many kids and children of alcoholics especially ..
you sound very caring and have probably really helped them massively but the compare and contrast will get worse ....resources to keep you and DH calm and play the long game worth thinking about...

Livedandlearned2 · 13/09/2018 22:07

Will definitely look into support for us, have used alanon before as advised on here. Being in a situation it's difficult to see the wood for the trees. This board is lovely and supportive, my optimism has started to lift compared to this morning.

OP posts:
HeckyPeck · 14/09/2018 10:50

I’m glad the thread has helped OP. Hope things improve for you all.

SandyY2K · 14/09/2018 13:04

I may have missed it...but can't she use public transport? At least part of the way. I don't know how long the journey is

Livedandlearned2 · 14/09/2018 14:58

She could easily, but she wants a lift. And her mum is not supportive at all, so it makes dh the bad guy every time.

She and her siblings use pester power to the extreme!

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averythinline · 14/09/2018 18:28

Pester power should not be done to all the time it is emotionally manipulative behaviour ...so that has to be nipped in teh bud as someone said earlier on consistency is key...
make a plan/have an agreement tehn stick to it... saw review after 3 months or something all of you....
in the end they will get it .....all pester power demands will just get ramped up and up as time goes on 'to prove how much you/dh loves them'

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