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Step-parenting

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

Im at an all time low

95 replies

MrsWashington · 24/10/2021 16:58

Reposted because I didn't realise there was a step parenting thread.

I really need some support with no judgment am I really at rock bottom.

My daughter is 13 years old and she is mine from a previous relationship.

The relationship between DD and DH is strained. DD attitude, mood swings, door slamming not keeping room tidy, answering back are becoming more and more frequent due to age.

My idea of discipline and DH idea are two different things. He shouts a lot. Not just at DD but at me too if we have a disagreement even though I have told him I do not like the way it makes me feel (nervous, anxious etc)

He claims it’s because he was brought up that way and keeps harping on about when we was growing up, if we behaved the way she does, we would have got smacked.

There have been a few incidents between them both and it came to a head were she was being a stroppy teenager after we took her and her friend out resulting in my husband shouting in the middle of a seaside town we are finished me and you to my daughter, you are nothing but a spoiled brat. He then continued onto say to me I think her Christmas spends should be limited and also went so far as stating she might not be able to come on the family holiday next year. It went too far and the end result is me having a conversation with him stating she's my daughter and I do not like the way you discipline her, I have asked him to back off and let me do it if she misbehaves.

This has all come to a head and he is basically saying it's wrong that in his own home he isn't allowed to discipline her. He states its wrong in his own home he isn't allowed to say anything.

My point being though, she had her friends round, her room ended up being messy, instead of addressing this when her friends had gone, he went into her room when her teenage friends were there saying tidy your room its a mess etc etc instead of asking her when her friends had gone, he doesn't ask he shouts. I pulled him up on this, I have been a teenage girl and would have been that embarrassed if my Dad had done that in front of my friends.

He states that if he asks her once she should do it straightaway. My view is that kids are kids and sometimes they don't jump on demand at the first asking. You do sometimes have to ask a couple of times.

Furthermore, the finance situation we have. We used to split the bills 50/50 which resulted in me being significantly worse off each month as I worked part time and had my daughter to pay for. His response was well its not my fault I earn more than you.

When I did end up getting some maintenance off my DD's dad (few and far between) he used to ask for half. He stated because he also pays to put a roof over her head and food in the fridge. So not only did he have more left each month than me, when I did get some maintenance he used to ask for half the amount.

We ended up getting a joint account were both incomes went in and bills came out.
I have become very conscious of what I spend on me and DD as he goes on the app asking me whats this you've spent (it was cleaning products for the house) he states he is like this because he had nothing growing up. But he never used to be like this.

He bought me an expensive winter jacket this It isn't enjoyable wearing it as it was expensive he has told me to look after it and not hang it on the coat hooks downstairs and to put it on a coat hanger in the wardrobe.

He bought my DD some Nike leggings she wanted and when she misbehaved he was stating look I've bought her them leggings and took her friend out and this is how she behaves.

Sorry for the long post I am just really struggling to see whats normal and whats not anymore. I struggle with anxiety disorder anyway (having treatment for a few years) I'm at an all time low.

OP posts:
edisonbulb · 24/10/2021 21:04

Not normal at all! I have a dd the same age and a partner of 7 years. He doesn't get involved in any disciplining of her at all. He wouldn't dare go in her room or give a shit if its a mess. What an absolute tool your oh for this and for embarrassing her.

Don't get me wrong my oh and dd have had an argument about politics but nothing on that scale. Its way too controlling.

BrilliantBetty · 24/10/2021 21:06

I have taken steps today to get my finances in order. This is a very difficult time. Maybe you can offer your support on another thread.

Good luck to you I hope you work it out for both your sakes.

Marcipex · 24/10/2021 21:13

Maybe she is a little indulged and I think she should keep her room decent without being told…she’s so lucky to have her own room.

But he sounds dreadful. Absolutely dreadful. Confrontational and spiteful too.

He takes half of the maintenance. What an awful man.
I think you would both be happier without him.

SpaceshiptoMars · 24/10/2021 21:20

@MrsWashington

I think I'd sit down with a cool head and do a timeline of events to get my head in order. Try and work out what is baseline husband, and what might be 'OMG about to lose my job, won't get another one that pays the bills, GO AWAY annoying teenager'.

The money stuff is horribly controlling, and can you really live like that in this day and age? You've either got the fight of your life on to turn this around (he has to be willing to engage in joint counselling) - or you call it a day. I think teenagers are a little more robust than others here do, but they do see much higher parenting quality going on around them than your DH did - and will judge mercilessly if they sense that they are getting the crap stuff.

SpindelWhorl · 24/10/2021 21:21

You're doing well, OP, you've been suddenly taking in a lot of information and opinions. Flowers

You said, Exactly!!! This was my point and argument with him afterwards why on earth would you go in her room whilst her friends were there and tell her off for her room? The answer is that he intentionally wants to humiliate her. He gets a kick out of humiliating a 13 year old girl in front of other 13 year old girls. He really does have to go, he's offered to go (probably calling your bluff, but call his back), so don't feel remotely bad about it.

It's your tenancy - ask him to leave asap.

Loads of MNers can help you with the practicalities.

Charliealphatangorara · 24/10/2021 21:23

You are being abused, so is your daughter. Please end your relationship.

candlelightsatdawn · 24/10/2021 21:45

@MrsWashington then I go with what I said run. There's a very big difference between arguing over discipline styles and complaining every move you and DD make.

Run run run !

MyMoneyIsAllSpent · 24/10/2021 21:55

My daughter is now an adult. As a child she was an angel! As a teen? A nightmare. She is now doing a psychology degree and is a crisis caller. Your daughter is going through a natural development stage. I'm in my 60's an MY room is a mess! He is abusive. I wouldn't treat my pets this way!

AhNowTed · 24/10/2021 22:21

Well done for recognising that this isn't normal. Not normal at all.

And no, another one saying no my husband doesn't go through my spending with a fine tooth comb, nor do I go through his.

Big stuff we agree on. Day to day stuff god no.

That's controlling, and designed to keep you in your place.

Bananarama21 · 24/10/2021 22:35

In my opinion, it is always a mistake to bring children into a relationship when you are incapable of providing for 100% of their financial support 100% of the time. When you do less than this you make not only yourself but also your children dependent upon your partner's generosity and largesse

This your dd is old enough for you to work full time ditch your dh and go it alone your mental health and hers will be better for it.

Silenceisgolden20 · 25/10/2021 08:07

This is really common with abusive men when children get to teenagers as they start having their own mind and he doesn't see her as her own person. Just someone (and you) who needs to be controlled by him, he is the master.

I hope you can get some support OP.

black2black · 25/10/2021 09:51

@Silenceisgolden20

This is really common with abusive men when children get to teenagers as they start having their own mind and he doesn't see her as her own person. Just someone (and you) who needs to be controlled by him, he is the master.

I hope you can get some support OP.

Wow this is so true. Thanks for posting this, I didn’t realise. When I was a teenager my SD stepped up the control, telling me he had friends reporting back to him on what I was doing when I was out, he didn’t want me going out with my friends, physically threw one of my friends out the house, would pull the landline out the wall when I was talking to my friends. It was so awful
lunar1 · 25/10/2021 15:48

While we do have a joint account, DH and I don't question each other's spending. We talk about big purchases mostly, but if one of us wanted/needed something we are both capable individually on knowing if we can afford it.

I was a SAHM for 3 years, DH didn't question me once.

As well as making plans to get roof him, you need to talk through this with your dd. He's been abusive to her, his behaviour in front of her friends could have had repercussions for her with them.

She probably needs the option to talk to someone about everything that's happening and she certainly needs to know that this behaviour is abusive. You don't want her going into the world thinking this is an acceptable way for someone to treat her.

SpaceshiptoMars · 25/10/2021 15:54

You don't want her going into the world thinking this is an acceptable way for someone to treat her.

These days, even if they have no friends, they have Reddit and the like to compare notes on. Today's teenagers are very much up on their rights and are far better protected than previous generations.

lunar1 · 25/10/2021 16:21

We have had easy access to the internet via smartphones for at least ten years, but year so many people are in abusive relationships.

It's not the internets job to make sure our children know what a healthy relationship looks like, it's ours.

MrsWashington · 25/10/2021 16:36

@lunar1

We have had easy access to the internet via smartphones for at least ten years, but year so many people are in abusive relationships.

It's not the internets job to make sure our children know what a healthy relationship looks like, it's ours.

I dont understand your point.

Thanks everyone else for the support. I've put things in place.

OP posts:
candycane222 · 25/10/2021 17:14

I think Lunar was mainly taking to the poster above her, don't worry about it.

Very best of luck, Have a look on the relationships board perhaps for advice on what information you need to gather , who to contact for support and advice etc on steps to take to end the relationship with the best terms for yourself and least aggravation.

Lesserspottedmama · 25/10/2021 17:24

I think this is the first time I’ve ever advised anyone to leave their marriage on mumsnet. Generally I think people are too hasty advising this. But the situation you described cannot go on, it sounds terribly damaging for your daughter, for you and the relationship you have with her. I would lay it on the table with you DH just how far from normal is behaviour is and find out if he is willing to work towards change. If he was awful with his son too then it’s perhaps not personal to your DD but indicative of deep problems within himself. He needs to learn about respectful parenting, childism, non violent communication. It sounds like he wants to feel respected and that he has a say and some standing within his family unit which is understandable but that comes from being a loving provider and protector of his family, from being a role model and leading and helping his family. He sounds petty, bitter and unpleasant. You sound like a really lovely caring mum, be kind to yourself OP. If he isn’t willing to start changing from today and put the work in then how can you possibly stay in such a toxic situation.

lunar1 · 25/10/2021 17:27

Sorry @MrsWashington, it was to the poster who replied to my previous comment. I forgot to tag.

SnowWhitesSM · 26/10/2021 10:46

I would advise you ringing the national dv helpline (or request a phonecall as the waiting time is high).

Ask them all of these questions about whether this is abusive or not. They will help you make a leaving plan (or a getting him out plan). You need to put in a UC claim if you don't earn enough, this takes 6 weeks to come through so sort it ASAP. Get your own bank account back. You need a plan imo OP otherwise you may end up feeling overwhelmed and could end up accepting him back. If you get back with him he will be lovely but will then punish you for it.

I also recommend ready lundy Bancroft. His book is available free online. sa1s3.patientpop.com/assets/docs/85477.pdf

He isn't going to change. His behaviour towards you works out well for him. You will feel so free and light once you've got him out your house. Happiness is just around the corner OP. Good luck.

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