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Step-parenting

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

Stepdaughter and being nice

85 replies

stepparentinghell · 27/07/2024 11:06

So after my last post I have come away and done some thinking and had seen my counsellor again.
Ultimately I know and have known it's not fully the step daughters fault.
Her mother has always been a nightmare, and tbh in lockdown we had calls from the daughter her mum was passed out etc. her dad is no saint when it comes to alcohol but is what it is and her mum was ultimately the one who made the decision to leave her at his house when he was drunk because I was there. Her mum always said she liked me compared to his other ex and didn't want me to end up like herself. She claims she is suffering from ptsd from being with him. Which at times I can see so have always taken things from her as quite truthful.
Anyways I know her house is always a mess; my son stayed there last year when me and him where on a break and he said it smelt and wasn't nice.
Yes I can be mad that she is using the situation with her dad to get everything she wants, but ultimately that is upto him and what he sees fit. Yesterday me and him went out and he was complaining that he had no money to spend on himself. I just kept quiet,
I invited them all for a bbq last night; the kids played in the pool and things, I was miffed as he was like 'well I need to ask them if they want to'. I am under the impression as they are kids they should be told, as that's what I do with my kids. I don't let them dictate if we do or don't do something or go somewhere but each to their own. My partner then has suggested we go to some field today for a picnic like we use to l, and because it's free and he can't afford to go out. So yeah fine; but then said to the eldest if she gets out of bed and comes then me and her can go and get our nails done. Hes kinda planned this without asking me, I will tell him he has to pay for mine as I cannot afford to do it today as wasn't planned. But I am thinking I will go and do it, I will be nice. I have invited her on days out in the summer holidays too with me and the kids because ultimately isn't her fault.
I do think I'll get a backlash from her mother but ultimately that isn't my fault because she allowed her daughter to move out.
This week she has gone into work with her mum for 3 days, they have been to Costa, and apparently she is staying there tomorrow because her mum wants her to try and stay for longer. So I am a little confused as she does say she doesn't know what she wants still but seems to be there a lot but will go with it.

My partner has told the daughter that he is meant to be coming on holiday with us and that he will decide fully soon and that if he does she will have to stay with her mum. (He's worded it like this as he said it's to do it nicely but has told my kids he won't let the down and he will be going.)

Ultimately it's upto him really how to make this all work; I have done my bit having them over, inviting her for summer, bought a bigger dining room table etc and will sort some sleeping arrangement. I made a point yesterday of asking us kids for photos to put up in my house is then etc all things he said he does at his and feels I need to do more at mine to be Inclusive and hopefully so we can all stay at each others houses. If this doesn't change things then it's on him.

Any advice on what I can say to her mum if she kicks off she is spending more time with me, also I wish to message her and ask her to refrain stirring the pot as she keeps telling my partner stuff we had spoke about in the past or things from work. She has completely stabbed me in the back when I haven't with things about her. Me and her were actually friends in the end. Then it all went tits up because back in March me and my partner split and I had said to her we were just good friends and things for the kids (which we was for a while) and never explained we were getting back together. As I didn't feel it was her business. Well he told her when she got argumentative as I had a go at the stepdaughter for lying as I caught her dangerously cooking with oil whilst her dad was at work. She's 12 and I was concerned and she was lying. I apologised to the stepdaughter but yeah

OP posts:
excelledyourself · 31/07/2024 12:52

lunar1 · 31/07/2024 12:50

I'd put money on you being the poster who had her stepdaughter's sleeping on the landing a few years ago.

It's the insane focus on trivia, and random allocations of money that give it away.

Yes, I didn't think so, but now I absolutely see it.

lunar1 · 31/07/2024 12:54

There are some minor details different, but I don't think it's possible for there to be two people out in the world like this.

Can you imagine being able to shag a bloke who so seriously neglected his own children, let alone allow them to become important to your own kids? 🤢

excelledyourself · 31/07/2024 13:04

lunar1 · 31/07/2024 12:54

There are some minor details different, but I don't think it's possible for there to be two people out in the world like this.

Can you imagine being able to shag a bloke who so seriously neglected his own children, let alone allow them to become important to your own kids? 🤢

I don't think there are any differences. I think this is now just a different guy and different stepdaughters.

lunar1 · 31/07/2024 13:12

I never thought of that! 🤦🏻‍♀️

Justcallmebebes · 31/07/2024 13:24

stepparentinghell · 31/07/2024 10:02

@Peaceandquietandacuppa
Salon nails I don't agree with, her dad has said she can, he pays for them, same as her eyelashes , makeup and all the clothes she has wanted lately. It's his choice I can't stop him, but this is why she likes policing with him

She's 12 and has her nails done and eyelashes and wears makeup. Is that normal for a 12 year old these days?

stepparentinghell · 31/07/2024 14:06

I am not that poster; I have never had step children before these two.

And I don't think nails and eyelashes I normal
But the school kids are all the same xx

OP posts:
Notgoodatpoetrybutgreatatlit · 31/07/2024 15:20

I work in a secondary school at the risk of sounding like my great aunt, all 12 year olds do not have fake nails and fake eyelashes.
If any student appears in school like this they are removed from classes and work in supervision until the nails and eyelashes are removed.
And before anyone accuses me of cruelty supervision is in a lovely light well ventilated room with very high ceilings and the children are taken to the toilets and break and lunch. I do know of one school who don't let the children in supervision have dessert at lunchtime! We don't do that.

stepparentinghell · 02/08/2024 10:28

@Notgoodatpoetrybutgreatatlit

Wish it was the same in their school. As long as the girls acrylic nails are neutral and short they get away with it, and the same with lash extensions as long as they long more natural.

OP posts:
Notgoodatpoetrybutgreatatlit · 02/08/2024 10:53

Mind bending. I don't even think we are strict compared to some schools. But my head definitely is old fashioned even though not old!

stepparentinghell · 02/08/2024 13:32

@Notgoodatpoetrybutgreatatlit
I don't think it's a bad thing that they are strict, so many parents can't afford to do it for their kids and then they get bullied and picked on. Plus the girls are more focused on this than their lessons.

OP posts:
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