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Step-parenting

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

Difficult situation, advice needed.

308 replies

stepmumnamechange · 28/11/2022 14:50

This is probably going to be long, I apologise in advance.

I've been with my DP 4 years, I have 3 kids by EH. He was highly abusive, he has no contact with the kids.

DP has 2 kids, DSD12 and DSS8. Different mothers.

We waited over a year to do introductions, all was fine to start, apart from DSS mum, (she is quite a nasty woman, had police involvement due to her attacking DPs elderly mum amongst other things)
She went mental when she found out about me, it wasn't a pleasant time.

DSDs mum was amazing, we really got on well, she was lovely. I gained a really great relationship with DSD too.

Now for the problem.

Last year things took a drastic turn, DSD was here for our weekend, the day before she was due to go home, she made some worrying claims to DP, she told him her step dad was horrible to her, made some claims about him and things he'd done, also made some claims about her mum too.
She asked if she could stay with us, DP said yes and that he would sort it with mum and talk about the claims she had made.
All hell broke loose, it was horrendous, mum took it bad, (as expected, I'd be devastated too)
DP called SS due to the nature of the claims, mum refuted all claims. DP was advised to keep her with us.

The next three months were awful, things were investigated, rightly or wrongly I refused to have anything to do with it, I would comfort DSD when she was upset, but I didn't want any involvement in the situation as I felt it was between mum, DP and DSD.

DSS mum found out and refused to let DSS see DP because of the situation.

DSD started therapy, paid for by us, to help her get through it all.
One day, completely out of the blue, DSD ran back to her mums, we then received a phone call from her therapist, DSD had disclosed to her therapist that she'd made it all up. This was proven to be true by SS, as the days she'd said events happened, step dad proved he was at work, DSD also then admitted to her SW that she had made it up. No reasoning as to why.

Following on, DSD refused to come back to ours, was sending nasty messages to DP and myself, I didn't respond and just blocked her number. As I felt it was nothing to do with me.
Mum started sending abuse then, turns out, DSD started making claims about me, saying I forced her to stay and I was horrible to her. Mum believed it. She came to the house to scream at me, it was just horrible.

Just to add to it all, around 3 months later, DSS mum contacted DP to say that DSS isn't his, she'd had a DNA done to confirm. She admitted to cheating on him all through the marriage. She said DP could no longer see DSS now, as he isn't his.

Finally, all the drama with DSD is still ongoing, she is still being nasty, aiming everything at me. (I haven't spoken to her or mum since it all happened)
Last night she sent a message to DP which said, it's time to choose between me and SM, I don't want anything to do with you whilst your with her, and I'm your only child so think wisely.

DP is heartbroken, absolutely devastated, there aren't any words to describe it to be honest.

I don't know what to do, I told DP I would leave, I don't want to stand in the way of him and his daughter, he's begged me not too. But I just don't know what to do, it's a horrible, awful situation, which just seems to be getting worse.

I'm sorry it's so long, I've tried my best to include everything.

OP posts:
Christmaspyjamas · 16/02/2023 07:58

Oh OP I only saw the whole thread today. I'm in tears at it all unfolding and how much you've been through.

Your SD sounds incredibly disturbed and it must be frightening and so sad.

I'm glad your DP has you and your kids in his life.

Wishing you all the best.

Freshstart27382 · 16/02/2023 10:26

@stepmumnamechange I've been following your thread since the beginning and it breaks my heart hearing what you, your DP & DC are going through. I sincerely hope that you all come out then other side soon enough and manage to get all of this behind you once and for all.

As for your DSD & her wicked mother, I hope they get what they deserve and hopefully DSD is young enough to learn and change although, it seems unlikely.

Wishing you all the best. 💐

stepmumnamechange · 16/02/2023 12:21

@WickedStepmomNOT
Your post made me cry, I'm so grateful this has helped you.
I'm so sorry you're going through stuff too, please don't minimise how you are feeling though, if you are finding things difficult or upsetting, please speak out. It doesn't matter if people have it worse, what matters is you.

Thank you all. It's been hell. I hope one day soon it gets better, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

It's been a very strange time, it's like I'm watching a movie. It doesn't feel real that this is my life. And then reality hits and I realise it is.

You always think and hope that it can't get much worse, but it does and it has. I can't quite get my head around any of it. I feel at a loss. Days are just passing me by, it's like I'm living in a nightmare and I can't wake up.

OP posts:
TheLastDreamOfTheOak · 16/02/2023 14:42

Lots of love OP... I'm a stepmom, dealing with a horrible situation with my DSS's mum, and that stressful enough but now where near what you have been through. I hope you continue to be safe and well

hourbyhour101 · 16/02/2023 17:22

@stepmumnamechange

You have been through hell. And I'm not going to say what doesn't break you makes you stronger because frankly the saying should be what doesn't break you gives a hell of a lot of trauma.

We are here. You have been so incredibly strong and resilient. I have to say what the mum did re your ex is fucking diabolical and there's no excuse for it.

I hope you get some calmer and less awful times. All I can say is I admire your strength which shines through on your posts.

I hope your dsd turns it around I really do, but at some point you have to let people find or go their own way. None of it is your responsibility to fix, even though I know deep down that's all you want.

Hugs 💐 xxx

WickedStepmomNOT · 17/02/2023 12:21

@stepmumnamechange · Yesterday 12:21

@WickedStepmomNOT
Your post made me cry, I'm so grateful this has helped you.
I'm so sorry you're going through stuff too, please don't minimise how you are feeling though, if you are finding things difficult or upsetting, please speak out. It doesn't matter if people have it worse, what matters is you.

This is very sweet of you, but eye-rolling, huffing and puffing and refusing to tidy up after herself is nothing to the actual physical and mental danger you are in. I do understand why she makes him tea but not me, why she rushes to sit in my seat as soon as I get up, etc etc, shes saying 'my dad' and not really trying to push me out although it gets teeth-gritting at times and I have to remind myself I'm supposed to be the adult.

I showed DH this thread - well your posts only - and he was horrified. We've had a long talk and he now understands he needs to not ignore her behaviour but gently call it out with constant reminders that he loves her and she will always be his daughter but that his mum chose someone else to be her life partner and he has done just the same and its all quite normal but he doesnt love her less.

So we'll see going forward, but if we are consistent and present a united front I think things will change and she will be happier too. Oh, and he's also from now on going to get her to tidy her room at the end of her weekend and strip her bed, put her linen and towels in the WM and HE is going to do that laundry AND make up her bed ready for next time. Result!

Good luck OP...

stepmumnamechange · 18/02/2023 12:20

WickedStepmomNOT · 17/02/2023 12:21

@stepmumnamechange · Yesterday 12:21

@WickedStepmomNOT
Your post made me cry, I'm so grateful this has helped you.
I'm so sorry you're going through stuff too, please don't minimise how you are feeling though, if you are finding things difficult or upsetting, please speak out. It doesn't matter if people have it worse, what matters is you.

This is very sweet of you, but eye-rolling, huffing and puffing and refusing to tidy up after herself is nothing to the actual physical and mental danger you are in. I do understand why she makes him tea but not me, why she rushes to sit in my seat as soon as I get up, etc etc, shes saying 'my dad' and not really trying to push me out although it gets teeth-gritting at times and I have to remind myself I'm supposed to be the adult.

I showed DH this thread - well your posts only - and he was horrified. We've had a long talk and he now understands he needs to not ignore her behaviour but gently call it out with constant reminders that he loves her and she will always be his daughter but that his mum chose someone else to be her life partner and he has done just the same and its all quite normal but he doesnt love her less.

So we'll see going forward, but if we are consistent and present a united front I think things will change and she will be happier too. Oh, and he's also from now on going to get her to tidy her room at the end of her weekend and strip her bed, put her linen and towels in the WM and HE is going to do that laundry AND make up her bed ready for next time. Result!

Good luck OP...

I'm so happy to hear that.
It's extremely hard being a step parent, keeping a United front is definitely important. I hope it works for you. ❤️

OP posts:
RandomMess · 18/02/2023 13:45
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