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Step-parenting

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Made to feel bad in relation to SD

13 replies

Anuta77 · 15/12/2020 16:43

A couple of years ago, I had issues with SD (then 11-12) due to her bossing me around with regards to my baby. She was clearly jealous of his attachment to me, his mother, and was strongly asserting her place in his life (which is not a very common thing, but happens, I've seen it on another forum). Obviously, her rude behaviour was never displayed in front of her father, so when I started complaining to him, I looked like I was not fair to her (because she was very sweet with him). And the more he was invalidating my feelings, the more resentful I was becoming.

Long story short, she calmed down a year ago, I made efforts to let go of resentment and our relationship improved. She only comes EOW, I still buy her some things, make efforts to talk (yes, efforts as she's always on her laptop), ask her questions about whatever interests I see she has, make efforts to listen to whatever music she wants to share with me, always make a cake for her bday, etc.

Obviously, neither she or me are perfect, so from time to time, there are some minor frictions. She would say something I consider rude (like that nobody would want to have a relationship with my older son) or act in a way towards the toddler that I find annoying (like insisting that he kisses her when he doesn't want)...

SO, if I ever say or do somethingthat looks to her father like I don't like her, it's blown out of proportion.

For example: she's sensitive and often has tears after watching her videos. During the covid, when we didnt see her for over 2 months due to her mother continuing spending time with her boyfriend from another town, I told her something about her father being sad that she doesn't visit us (she didn't come for his bday which we did in the backyard only with his sons). Maybe I shouldn't have, but it's really not a big deal. Her mother complained to him, he gave me sh*t and told me that whatever I organized with his sons is nothing (eventhough before the complaint, he repeatedly told me how touched he was) and that I did it on purpose. No explanation or apology works, until his sulking goes away.

Another ex: She never does her bed, walks with her socks when she has slippers, then sits with those dirty socks (never changes them during her stay) on the bed. One day I laid down on that bed because I felt dizzy, my toddler climbed with me on the bed and I didn't notice that he still had his slippers on. DP starts complaining (when he normally doesn't care about these things, but he knows I do). When I explain that she's always on the bed with dirty socks (I was sick, not into arguing), I again the "you hate my daughter:" and he sulks.

Basically, I always end up feeling hurt and misunderstood when it comes to her. And while it's not her fault, his overreactions affect my feeling towards her. Xmas is coming and after being insulted, I don't feel like making her a gift. DP didn't grow up in a country where people celebrate Xmas, so it was only my tradition. Anyways she has electronics, so nothing that's in my budget would beat that. And it doesn't look like anything I do is appreciated any way.

I guess it was just a rant about stupid parents who don't realize that by "defending" their child from nothing, they are only contributing to problems.

OP posts:
LatentPhase · 15/12/2020 17:15

Can you maybe not sweat the small stuff (her dirty socks and not wearing slippers, not a battle I would pick with a teen personally, arguably also the bed).

Can you discuss the sulking with your DP (which is nothing to do with DSD and is really unattractive behaviour).

Can you disengage with the cakes and other Wifework?

Just grin and bear the Xmas prezzie (ask DP what to get).

It’s hard. Hurray for EoW and well done for managing improvements in this relationship with DSD. And remember. Teens are just annoying. Even for parents.

Flowers
Anuta77 · 15/12/2020 18:02

Can you maybe not sweat the small stuff (her dirty socks and not wearing slippers, not a battle I would pick with a teen personally, arguably also the bed).

That's precisely what I decided to do. Guess what? When he sees that I enforce this kinds of things with my own son and to avoid issues I don't complain to him or say anything to SD, I'm BAD, because I "give up" on his daughter and that I consider her "dirty" and that she's not worth being educated like my son.

If I complain to him, I'm bad. When I point to him that after several sulkings, I stopped telling him about her (ex: she stuck my toddler's red playdough on the white toilet door, don't ask me why), he told me that I should have told him! WTF!

OP posts:
LatentPhase · 15/12/2020 18:08

You’re in a lose-lose situation and you’ve got DP issues. Did you warn him you were going to disengage from the sock thing? Do you guys communicate on how you approach stuff?

Does he see all child-related stuff as woman’s work?

It all sounds very hard work. Nothing else to add.

FrazzledFTM · 15/12/2020 18:21

I don't have any advice but some of your points I could have written myself. Currently we are in the stage of DSD (12) being bossy about the baby, but not in front of her dad. Exactly as you explained. Just checking in and waiting for some advice Smile

Anuta77 · 15/12/2020 19:29

@LatentPhase

You’re in a lose-lose situation and you’ve got DP issues. Did you warn him you were going to disengage from the sock thing? Do you guys communicate on how you approach stuff?

Does he see all child-related stuff as woman’s work?

It all sounds very hard work. Nothing else to add.

Unfortunately, communication is not his forte, so yes, a DP problem now, which affects the SD. :(
OP posts:
Anuta77 · 15/12/2020 19:34

@FrazzledFTM

I don't have any advice but some of your points I could have written myself. Currently we are in the stage of DSD (12) being bossy about the baby, but not in front of her dad. Exactly as you explained. Just checking in and waiting for some advice Smile
What I understood from that is that if your partner doesn't see an issue or doesn't believe you, then you have to put boundaries yourself, when he doesn't see it either (unless you're sure that he'll take your side and explain things to her).

You have the right to enjoy your maternity and no teenager is going to tell you what to do. For me, it lasted almost 2 years and it was infuriating. Firmly and politely put her in her place. In my case, it took a while for her to understand and I had to become harsh as it wasn't sinking.
If you ever need more advice or support, PM me. I was really shocked by that behaviour and it took me a while to recover.

OP posts:
Milkshake7489 · 15/12/2020 19:59

Your stepdaughter sounds like a normal child (being overbearing with new siblings and not making the bed happens even in families where both parents are together).

Did your stepdaughter choose to miss her dad's birthday or was this decision made by her parents? If it wasn't entirely her decision, you were unfair to make her feel guilty about it and I can see why her dad stuck up for her.

However, if you don't feel supported by your husband in regards to your stepdaughter generally, then that's a big issue and you should definitely take it up with him.

As a side note, what do you mean her socks are dirty because she isn't wearing slippers? Does she go outside in them?

Milkshake7489 · 15/12/2020 20:01

Oh and there is no reason why her dad can't sort her birthday cake and Christmas presents... maybe talk to him about doing his share if the 'wife work' too!

Smile
Norwester · 15/12/2020 20:11

What's your situation with dp - how long have you been together, what other dc are in your home, who owns the home, do you depend upon him financially?

funfunfunfunfun · 15/12/2020 20:15

The sock in bed thing phobia you have OP is weird. If my kids wear socks all day and then on an evening sit on their beds wearing said socks I wouldn't freak out about it.

aSofaNearYou · 15/12/2020 20:36

Well on the Christmas issue I would just buy her some makeup or something in a similar ball park, you don't need to buy her anything extravagant but it sounds like your relationship with her is really improving and it would be a shame to snub her now.

But I remember your previous posts, and you had and continue to have a massive DP problem. I couldn't continue in a relationship with someone that was this defensive/emotionally manipulative about their child. You should be able to talk to him about day to day minor issues surrounding her without being accused of not loving her. I would sit him down for a serious talk - tell him things are improving between you and DSD but he needs to address his attitude and stop expecting you to worship everything she does, because it is making things worse.

Alexandernevermind · 15/12/2020 21:26

She doesn't sound too bad - certainly no worse than any other teenager. It sounds more like you resent each other just being there, which is sad and unhealthy.

InMyDream · 15/12/2020 21:51

I get this in a way, I do think the examples you've given are minor (socks on the bed, I wouldn't even think about that personally), but the defending or accusations of not liking their child over anything remotely negative.

My DH can be like this. If he gets any sort of inkling that I may be feeling or saying anything negative about the kids, even if it's something general like about them being messy or naughty one time, he'll make out like I've said I hate them. It's really annoying and it makes me feel like I'm not allowed to have normal feelings and grievances about children that live part time in my house. It's okay for him and their mum to get fed up from time to time but not me.

It's guilt. It's a desire to want to create the perfect family and any idea that you might not be feeling it is like some huge insult or attack on the idea that everyone is perfectly in love with each other.

And yes it's definitely a DP problem.

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