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Step-parenting

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Am i a terrible person?

32 replies

Mamabear9119 · 17/10/2023 20:56

I feel awful even writing this but i need to get as much advice as i can on this. Ive been with my partner two years, he has a 6 year old daughter and i am massively struggling with her. Her mother from the get go has been difficult and cannot stand me which i think has caused part of my issue. When it comes to his daughter i find her to be extremely spoiled, although she is a well behaved child she has the expectation that everything must be done for her. She gets everything and more from my partner and his family but this is never enough, i have a child and if my child gets anything that she doesnt there is a massive fuss made. She is constantly sick, or there is something wrong with her and him and the entire family constantly fuss over her. So our plans are constantly called off but when we do what she wants shes always fine. She has came into my home and called it disgusting, told me the only reason she comes here is to see her dad and when she is here im not allowed to be anywhere near her dad. She has now said the only way she will see her dad is if its not here, so on the days he has her he stays elsewhere. When he has tried to bring her up she is miserable, she wont eat, wont sleep, wont interact, wont speak.

ive done everything, i got her her own bed, clothes, toys, toiletries, i take her out, i do activities i know she likes, try to engage her in conversation. I do her nails, dress up, buy her treats. I buy her food i know she loves for when she is coming, when she gets here she apparently no longer likes it

i feel awful but i cannot stand her, he never confronts her about any of her behaviour even the strange lies she tells, accused her mum of hitting her and this never happened?

am i a bad person? I feel like im going to lose my partner over this, he is getting more distant as the weeks go on. I need some advice, what can i do? I have tried absolutely everything

OP posts:
BodenCardiganNot · 18/10/2023 20:17

she is a child who should know how to behave.

Who is responsible for teaching her to behave? Her parents. Who are both useless from what the OP has said about them.

Butterflyworms · 18/10/2023 20:22

You should leave. She's a child, you're an adult her needs trump yours.

BoohooWoohoo · 18/10/2023 20:30

Your sd and her mother would be doing this regardless of who her dad was dating. There is nothing that you can do to fix this. You haven't done anything that has led to this situation.

The problem is the parents. They are the only ones who can fix this but it suits them just fine having you as a scapegoat and not having to deal with some harder truths. As hard as it is, you have to realise that sd isn't at fault. Her parents encourage her to be unreasonable and the pay off - lots of attention makes it worthwhile for her.If you leave (and I think you should as you can't win in this situation), your partner is going to have this problem over and over but he might be fine with a string of shorter term relationships.

MissyPea · 23/10/2023 20:24

Willyoujustbequiet · 18/10/2023 14:27

It's horrible to call a 6 year old child a spoilt brat.

The truth isn’t always nice or what we want to hear. The childs behaviour is only what the parents have created, it didn’t come from nowhere.

Willyoujustbequiet · 23/10/2023 20:40

MissyPea · 23/10/2023 20:24

The truth isn’t always nice or what we want to hear. The childs behaviour is only what the parents have created, it didn’t come from nowhere.

She's 6 fgs. A little kid dealing with all sorts of emotions due to her parents splitting up and having a new parental figure in her life. None of which she chose.

It's shitty to call any 6 year old a brat nevermind one that's had such an upheaval.

Unbelievable.

SpicedAppleAndFreshCider · 23/10/2023 21:53

Willyoujustbequiet · 23/10/2023 20:40

She's 6 fgs. A little kid dealing with all sorts of emotions due to her parents splitting up and having a new parental figure in her life. None of which she chose.

It's shitty to call any 6 year old a brat nevermind one that's had such an upheaval.

Unbelievable.

I agree. My DSD wanted her Mum & Dad to get back together which is understandable. She was young so I did all I could to make sure she was happy as did her other stepparent.

SpicedAppleAndFreshCider · 23/10/2023 23:19

I think it is so wrong for adults to get a new DH/DW and then when the children find it hard they get called spoilt brats.

I was the new wife.

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