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Step-parenting

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13 year old step daughter causing chaos…this isn’t going to get better is it?

203 replies

Makeitstop0 · 02/09/2025 13:43

Mum and Dad have been apart 6 years and mum moved on very quickly with a new man who moved into the family home

I met dad after 4 years of being single although he had one short relationship in that time where he said his daughter behaved in the exact same way as well as using her for money constantly as the woman was very wealthy

I met his children after we had dated for a year which was challenging in itself as he has the kids ( DD 13 and DS 10 ) every weekend but for the last 10 months I have been seeing them if I go to the house on the weekend and I often organise days out for them as dad isn’t massively proactive in that sense

Whenever I’m at the house, as soon as I walk in his daughter starts moaning that she’s bored - stropping and slamming doors if she’s not entertained and every suggestion ( unless it’s something big like going trampolining / cinema / dinner ) is met with a no
She will lie wherever me and her dad are and just sulk for hours with the occasional noise or “ It’s not fair “ being said

I find it so uncomfortable to have a teenager so close in our space when she’s behaving like that so I try to think of things we can do whilst dad is just completely ignoring it

This morning has been the same - we’ve taken her swimming first thing and the minute we are back the moaning starts up again

I suggested we go for a walk and leave her to have the TV to herself even though this was met with moans and on the walk dad said “ She’s much worse when you’re around as you play into it “

I replied “ That’s because you don’t correct it and ignore hoping it will go away which it doesn’t “

He went crazy, screaming that I’m a prick and that I’m a judgmental arsehole and my kid isn’t perfect

For context, I have a 15 year old daughter who isn’t perfect and I’ve confided in him over the last year about things but he’s never met her ( her dad has played a big part in her feeling she doesn’t want to but I’ve respected she doesn’t so that’s that ) but her issues are not the same at all - she isn’t attention seeking in the slightest and these issues have been largely because she and I have very different personalities which she finds annoying

His last relationship broke up because the daughter constantly asked to stay at this woman’s house even though barely knew her and he agreed for an easy life and took his son home with him leaving daughter there -
woman then drove drunk to the shop and crashed the car with daughter in it

Is this all step families or just this one?

He can be lovely but the temper is an issue and he can’t see how uncomfortable her behaviour makes me and I think would make most people surely - how can you continue a conversation when you have a 13 year old basicially lying across you on a sofa in a strop?

Any help apppreciated!

OP posts:
BunnyMcDougall · 02/09/2025 13:46

Dump

GardenGaff · 02/09/2025 13:47

Wouldn’t you rather find a partner who isn’t a lazy useless parent and a nasty arsehole?

Zempy · 02/09/2025 13:48

Have you posted before?

Anyway, yeah, dump him.

Snorlaxo · 02/09/2025 13:48

This is going to get worse and the stakes will get higher as she gets older.

Run!!

childofthe607080s · 02/09/2025 13:49

She sounds a scared and insecure child

AnneLovesGilbert · 02/09/2025 13:50

Not all step families are like this but this is the hardest possible age to try and create a blended unit.

She might be rude and easily bored but he’s a shouty, ineffective, useless boyfriend. Why carry on banging your head against this brick wall when you could be happy instead?

CagneyNYPD1 · 02/09/2025 13:51

Walk away. This won’t get better. It’s not the daughter, it’s the bf that’s the problem.

CheeseDanish · 02/09/2025 13:52

What about this ineffectual parent and, shouty, bad-tempered, name-calling man is attractive to you?

MinnieCauldwell · 02/09/2025 13:52

childofthe607080s · 02/09/2025 13:49

She sounds a scared and insecure child

She probably is but it's not Ops problem to solve.
Dump and move on, who needs this drama.

MissyB1 · 02/09/2025 13:53

This relationship is not working. Not for you and not for his daughter. Walk away for all your sakes.

LivingDeadGirlUK · 02/09/2025 13:54

I think you need to throw this one back, its never going to work. He isn't parenting his child, is letting you take on far too much, and is being verbally abusive to you. Cut your losses now.

SammyScrounge · 02/09/2025 13:54

I'd write this one off. His explosive temper us a very big red flag . How long could you bear living with his crude insults?

GoldDuster · 02/09/2025 13:55

Jesus, get rid of him, get out. He's useless, I feel for the DD. The problem is not the teenager, it's the shitty dad who is not giving her what she needs emotionally, so she's left trying to elicit it from his girlfriends.

She's not worse when you're around, he can just ignore her more. He sounds fucking terrible OP.

AnotherVice · 02/09/2025 13:55

I find it so uncomfortable to have a teenager so close in our space with this remark I was going to say you were being unreasonable, you’re implying her Dad is yours but then when I read what he said about you, he is totally unacceptable. You can’t allow him to speak to you like this, I’d get rid because of this.

Ridelikethewindypops · 02/09/2025 13:56

He screamed at you and called you a prick? Even without the volatile teenager he's for dumping.

KDI · 02/09/2025 13:57

You’re the only person making an effort. Walk away.

latetothefisting · 02/09/2025 13:57

Ridelikethewindypops · 02/09/2025 13:56

He screamed at you and called you a prick? Even without the volatile teenager he's for dumping.

Exactly

Its actually quite weird you're blaming the child when
A) his behaviour would be considered far more serious by most people
B) where do you think the poor kid learned it from?

If he's swearing and screaming at a woman he's in a fairly new relationship with (at the stage when most people try to show their best side) what has he subjected her to over the years?

CopperWhite · 02/09/2025 13:58

so your daughter is given enough respect that when she says she doesn’t want a step parent in her life, she isn’t made to have one, yet when his daughter is clearly showing through her behaviour (because no one has asked her) that she doesn’t want a step parent either, she’s stroppy and causing chaos?

You need to leave this relationship and both of you need to start putting your children first.

whattheysay · 02/09/2025 14:02

the problem isn’t his daughter the problem is him

Franpie · 02/09/2025 14:02

CopperWhite · 02/09/2025 13:58

so your daughter is given enough respect that when she says she doesn’t want a step parent in her life, she isn’t made to have one, yet when his daughter is clearly showing through her behaviour (because no one has asked her) that she doesn’t want a step parent either, she’s stroppy and causing chaos?

You need to leave this relationship and both of you need to start putting your children first.

I was going to say the same.

She doesn’t want you there OP. So don’t go over when she’s there. Give her the same right to choose as you do your own DD.

Makeitstop0 · 02/09/2025 14:02

CopperWhite · 02/09/2025 13:58

so your daughter is given enough respect that when she says she doesn’t want a step parent in her life, she isn’t made to have one, yet when his daughter is clearly showing through her behaviour (because no one has asked her) that she doesn’t want a step parent either, she’s stroppy and causing chaos?

You need to leave this relationship and both of you need to start putting your children first.

She hounded him to meet me
For an entire year
She constantly asks when I’m coming and wants me there all the time

I don’t think it’s healthy no and is possibility largely because she’s given attention by me that she isn’t getting usually but she certainly doesn’t not want me there

OP posts:
CheeseDanish · 02/09/2025 14:04

Makeitstop0 · 02/09/2025 14:02

She hounded him to meet me
For an entire year
She constantly asks when I’m coming and wants me there all the time

I don’t think it’s healthy no and is possibility largely because she’s given attention by me that she isn’t getting usually but she certainly doesn’t not want me there

But, bluntly, so what? Your relationship is with her father. And it simply isn't working, both because of his daughter's obvious unhappiness, his own poor parenting, and his bad temper. Just end it.

Tablesandchairs23 · 02/09/2025 14:05

You obviously dont live together. Dump his arse and move on. He's a shit Dad.

Franpie · 02/09/2025 14:07

Makeitstop0 · 02/09/2025 14:02

She hounded him to meet me
For an entire year
She constantly asks when I’m coming and wants me there all the time

I don’t think it’s healthy no and is possibility largely because she’s given attention by me that she isn’t getting usually but she certainly doesn’t not want me there

But it’s not you she wants, is it? It’s attention. She’d be happy for attention and stimulation from anyone I imagine.

You are not there to entertain his DD. You need remove yourself and let him and the mum figure this out.

Dozycuntlaters · 02/09/2025 14:08

So he's screaming in your face saying you're a prick. Mate, the least of your issues is his kid. Just be done with him, he sounds awful. You don't even live with him so why are you still with this poor excuse for a man?

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