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Step-parenting

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Stepdaughter hurtful

8 replies

FoolMeOnce80 · 29/04/2024 20:34

I don't suppose the title explains much lol

Here goes..........I've been married to DH for 14 years. Have 3 grown up SC (19-25) and a dc of our own.

DH and I met a long time after his divorce so I am absolutely nothing to do with the reason for that (neither is he tbh, ex had an affair). The youngest doesn't even remember a time her parents were married and has only ever known her father be married to me - just for some background!

For the most part, I've never had a terrible relationship with SCs but that being said, it's never been fantastic either - not for my lack of trying over the years.

Anyway, the youngest SC had a baby very recently. This came after a 3 year hiatus in her and DH's relationship because she didn't agree with him not financing her leaving school to do nothing (literally, left school, no job, no intention of getting a job & her and her mother deciding that DH would have to support her financially - ummmm, no!). So the pregnancy announcement comes in the form of a text message to DH - whilst also telling him she was in hospital being monitored and that DH should send money to her so she can get some food & essentials - to which DH conformed.
Throughout the 9 months that followed, I found her a flat to rent (her mother wouldn't have her there), slowly built up a collection of baby essentials (next to me crib, nappies, wet wipes, bottles and much much more) in fact, when I checked, I actually spent near on £700! My DH has done jobs around the flat, moved all her belongings for her, decorated etc & been up and down the motorway (they live about 25 miles away) responding to her every whim, this also Includes food shopping we have paid for. She has a boyfriend, father of the baby, but it seems that now when SD calls, DH comes running immediately. Even this evening she has demanded DH drive there because she needed a form printed out and apparently she has no one closer to do this (bf has a car and is on paternity leave, all other family members live 2 mins around the corner).

Have just seen on SM that she posted the most loveliest message about her mother being the greatest ever human to walk the earth, has done everything for her, doesn't know how she would have coped with the pregnancy and birth without her.........literally like her mother is a living angel - don't get me wrong here, most of us adore our mothers don't we? But to think what we have done for her and what her father continues to do, this post has put hell in me! Absolutely no mention of DH anywhere. When we took all the baby stuff down, no thank you from her. She messaged me daily during pregnancy about stuff (even sent me pics of the 'show' to ask if it was normal!) asked about formulas, colic stuff & even asked me to go down to check everything she had was enough for a newborn. Since the birth though, not one message to me, not one photo, not one reply to my messages.

Am I right in feeling like we're just being used? Well, I WAS used, now radio silence, DH still having to drop tools for her demands.

Tbh, after 14 years I've decided to not give my opinion to DH anymore. It's been the only source of conflict in our marriage. I'm thinking I'm best off taking a step back now, if DH wants to be used then that's his choice but considering she has a mother, a family, a bf with a family too, I don't think it's necessary for me to be jumping through hoops anymore for her.

AIBU? Help! 😆😆

OP posts:
Gogogowall · 29/04/2024 20:52

I wouldn’t be doing anything more for her.

I wouldn’t spend a penny and I wouldn’t help with any childcare at any point.

Let her mother do it.

Vergeofbreakdown23 · 29/04/2024 21:00

Gogogowall · 29/04/2024 20:52

I wouldn’t be doing anything more for her.

I wouldn’t spend a penny and I wouldn’t help with any childcare at any point.

Let her mother do it.

Exactly this! You are definitely not being unreasonable. Selfish spoilt and entitled springs to mind. However, if I were you, do the above and backing off etc with grace and decorum. Keep your head held high and never give her or any of them any kind of ammunition to beat you with. You might want a relationship with the grandchild at some point and that's the only reason I say this xx

FoolMeOnce80 · 29/04/2024 21:13

Vergeofbreakdown23 · 29/04/2024 21:00

Exactly this! You are definitely not being unreasonable. Selfish spoilt and entitled springs to mind. However, if I were you, do the above and backing off etc with grace and decorum. Keep your head held high and never give her or any of them any kind of ammunition to beat you with. You might want a relationship with the grandchild at some point and that's the only reason I say this xx

Thank you both! Sometimes I question myself but ultimately I think I need to somehow convey to DH that he can have time for all of us, just probably not together. He'd asked me to go with him earlier this evening as obviously he's an excited new grandparent and said he wanted to share it with me - I declined and just said to him that I think it's best I don't, I didn't want to sit there hearing SD singing everyone else's praises without so much as a thank you for DC. Also, I don't want to be accused if I said anything of spoiling the new mother/newborn phase - which I know for sure I would be! I just told DH to go alone and enjoy the time with the baby.
Silence is golden! I've also now resorted to saying to DH 'do you really want my opinion because you probably won't like it' when he discusses her with me, that way, I can't be seen as nagging him or badmouthing anyone.

OP posts:
Dweetfidilove · 29/04/2024 22:17

You are not being unreasonable at all. She sounds as ungrateful as she is entitled.

Keep your distance and leave your husband to get on with what he’s doing.

She will remember your existence when she needs a favour, then it will be up to you to oblige or not.

newyearnewknees · 30/04/2024 10:33

This so accurately sums up being a step mum. All of the dog's work and no matter what you do, you are constantly reminded that you are completely insignificant (unless of course someone needs something). It's so shit, I'm sorry OP.

Amonthinthecountry · 30/04/2024 10:45

I think one day, when she’s matured and she reflects on these days, she’ll appreciate what you and your husband have done. It sounds to me like you’ve been a steady influence on her life without being over indulgent. You’ve done your best to support her when she really needed you. Try and ignore stuff on social media. It doesn’t mean anything and is a reflection of her insecurities and perhaps what she would like to be true. I think you’re right to let your husband get on with things if you’re a bit too cross with the situation at the moment.

HospitalStayNHS · 03/05/2024 08:11

Unfortunately as you know this is the story of being a stepmother. All of the bad with none of the good unless of course you do something negative and that is remembered forever.

I actively disengaged about 4 years ago. The freedom was immense. Somehow and unknown to me she is slipping back and I need to put a very firm stop to it before it starts to affect anything. Yes she was still officially a child then, but her manipulative and sneaky ways meant I’m sure she understood exactly what she was doing.

She is welcome to as wide a relationship with her father as they both want, it doesn’t bother me, but I still want nothing whatsoever to do with her and feel like there’s trouble ahead if it’s not made clear soon. She’s almost 20.

FoolMeOnce80 · 03/05/2024 12:39

HospitalStayNHS · 03/05/2024 08:11

Unfortunately as you know this is the story of being a stepmother. All of the bad with none of the good unless of course you do something negative and that is remembered forever.

I actively disengaged about 4 years ago. The freedom was immense. Somehow and unknown to me she is slipping back and I need to put a very firm stop to it before it starts to affect anything. Yes she was still officially a child then, but her manipulative and sneaky ways meant I’m sure she understood exactly what she was doing.

She is welcome to as wide a relationship with her father as they both want, it doesn’t bother me, but I still want nothing whatsoever to do with her and feel like there’s trouble ahead if it’s not made clear soon. She’s almost 20.

This is almost a carbon copy of my situation, even down to the age of SD!

I have the same view, her father can have the relationship he chooses but I am not her mother and have the luxury of being able to not have any responsibility whatsoever. It's taken me years to get to this point, so many hard years! I've explained to my DH that whilst I care & wish no ill will towards her, I just cannot continue to allow myself to be brought down by it anymore.

What a joy this step parent thing is eh? 😂

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