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Stepmom stuff with a defiant pre teen? Please help - Page 7

post #61 of 119
Quote:
Originally Posted by Break an Egg 
Quote:
Originally Posted by thaiturkey 

Punishment is not the answer to this problem. It may buy you time on occasions but could result in a lifetime of hate from a child who will grow into a woman who remembers a harsh stepmother.

My clear impression is that your stepdaughter has unresolved emotional issues connected with the separation of her parents and, perhaps, what she sees as your part in it. You don't need to post personal details about that on this public forum and the facts as you see them aren't the most important version of events anyway. Your stepdaughter's perception of what happened to her family and who is to blame is all that matters in connection with the problems that you describe. What is certain is that she was an innocent party in the separation. She is still a child but a hurt one that is growing into a teenager with all of the issues that accompany that process for any child.

Counselling, effective though it can be, works only for those who are ready for it. Clearly, your stepdaughter is not. What might me more fruitful would be for you and your husband to seek professional advice about the problems of families such as yours. If the two of you can get proper guidance on how to control her whilst behaving towards her in a way that will gradually help her to come to terms with her family's issued you will be doing a good job. Control and punishment without understanding, love and support will not help her deal properly with her issues and you will have problems for a long time. There is no quick fix for a hurt child.

Your husband cannot deal with this alone. He has divided loyalties, pain and, perhaps, regrets to deal with. You have your own emotions to deal with too. No single one of you is more important than another. If you and your husband get the right help you may get through this as a family still intact and his daughter will accept, finally, life as it is. If you carry on as you are in that family group you will all continue to be unhappy and an innocent child will turn into a very damaged adult.

Good luck to each of you. hugs


A little history may help perspective, she was living with her mom and who she was told was her dad, and her brothers and sisters.  In this house the "dad" was mom's boyfriend and he was abusive to her younger brother who was not any blood of the "dad" but his sisters full brother, even though they were told that this brother had a different dad who was a bad guy (who was really their real bio father DNA test done etc.)  The youngest child was the bio child of the mom and the boyfriend, not my husband's child.  The eldest who is this girl was treated very well compared to the other kids besides the youngest "dad's" bio son.  The reason for this was because she was the one playing mommy, taking care of all the kids while her bio mom was under the influence.  Even though (what she thought was her half brother) was being beaten and starved she was comfortable being able to hit the other kids when they were bad. 

I met my husband when he had just came out of prison for 2 years.  The 2 years he was unfortunately gone from his children's lives, the mom had changed their names, all cept the boy, and moved them to a different town.  DH had no idea where his kids were and had no help finding them cept me.  He found out they were in the system two years later and we were making trips out of state once a month to go visit his kids.  All made possible with my money I had gotten from an inheritance.  Not only that, the people in charge weren't going to give this man his kids with his background and single.  He was lucky he had me and our daughter to ease their minds.   Don't get me wrong, the kids are where they are supposed to be.  DH loves his kids very much. He is a good provider, but our marrige has gone to poop.  I have given so much for him to be happy.  So many people warned me not to take in his kids.  My mom, my aunt, my grandma, even his boss.  I am such an idiot. 

They have no contact with their bio mom, who this girl says she hates.  So she can't have the notion that her dad and bio mom are going to ever get back together.  Actually, she had no idea that DH was her father until we met them.


You voluntarily joined a family that, from what you now write, is very dysfunctional. You might want to think about why you did that. I wonder whether your husband's motives regarding you were partly to do with getting more access to his children. I don't know but I wonder.

Set aside any advice to merely cut and run and just reflect for a while longer. You are saying more clearly now that your marriage is in trouble and saying it in a way that suggests the cause is not just your stepdaughter. If, the girl apart, you want to continue with your marriage then you have to help deal with all of the problems. I have already suggested that you and your husband, if he is willing, get some advice. If the marriage is over, with or without his daughter on the scene, then you have to make some plans for yourself and your own child. As you seem to acknowledge, your child's emotional well-being and development may be at risk and that is probably more important to you than the well-being of your husband's child. I'm assuming that your husband is not the father of your child.

Your stepdaughter hasn't had a good start in life, has she? Calling her a sociopath might be going too far but she could be heading in that direction if adults around her don't change their ways. Even if you stick with, it you can't help her if no-one else is behaving appropriately. That leads me to something else that has crossed my mind. Her mother seems to have some issues of her own. Is she influencing her daughter against you and her father?

I have suggested things that you might consider to help the girl but you have now brought into the picture some additional influences that might make your efforts ineffective. When I worked with clients who sacrificed themselves for the benefit of to the point of misery and despair, I would sometimes point out that, ultimately, we are each of us alone in the universe and have to take care of ourselves first. Clients who then suggested it was good to help others would then hear me say that they would do a better job if they sorted out their own issues first.

Finally, for the moment, if you want to leave your present family make the decision yourself and don't seek the approval of others here or elsewhere. You have to take the responsibility alone.

Take everything you like seriously, except yourselves - Rudyard Kipling

http://www.grumpyexpat.com
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Take everything you like seriously, except yourselves - Rudyard Kipling

http://www.grumpyexpat.com
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post #62 of 119
Thread Starter 

I actually met my husband when he was still looking for his kids, so there were no kids to speak of and I was with him 3 years and had an 18 month old with him when we found out his kids were in foster care and taken away from their bio mom.    They also have no contact with their mom, SD is under no influence of hers whatsoever. 

So, this was pretty much my family from the git go, like I said none of the kids knew about or remebered their bio father (DH) until we met them as a family, me, DH, and my baby.   I told him to get his kids, I accepted them into my life because that's the kind of person I am, even after being warned by everyone I knew.

                                    Hi, my name is Maria.  I have 2 dogs, a cat, and not enough chickens. 

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                                    Hi, my name is Maria.  I have 2 dogs, a cat, and not enough chickens. 

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post #63 of 119

I didn't read all of the responses, just skimmed for your posts.

Honestly, I think she's being a 12 year old, hormonal, can't control herself fully and yeah, she's been spoiled rotten so it's what she knows and it's working for her so far.  Not saying I agree with it and the rudeness wouldn't be tolerated, but I can see where it comes from for her.  I mean, hi, nice to meet you, I'm your real Dad, you're going to come live with me and my wife and our child now and you're no longer in charge like your bio Mom had you doing.  She's sure to be a mess after what all her Mom did and then sudden changes but that doesn't give her to right to be a brat.

But I think the BIGGER issue is your DH.  I think you need family counseling.  ALL of you.  It won't work if you're the only one trying.  Sending one child alone is just going to further alienate her plus the counselor won't see the family dynamics in play.  You and DH should be able to talk together, devise a punishment plan, explain it to the children and then back each other up on it when it's time to use it.  There should be no him talking to her alone about it, united front.   A family counselor can help with all of that.

You're in a really tough position and I don't envy you one bit.  hugs  You know what, though?  As much as she fights you and thinks she knows what she wants, if/when you ever leave, she'll be devastated all over again.

Good luck.

post #64 of 119

we are each of us alone in the universe and have to take care of ourselves first. Clients who then suggested it was good to help others would then hear me say that they would do a better job if they sorted out their own issues first.

Leaving is only a last resort after all other options have been tried by you. It takes two to make a marriage work and it takes two consistently working together.

The point I am trying to make is if it is too much, don't keep staying, go. Don't fly offf the handle and just leave, however.

Think it through, and be very sure, then if it is time to go, explain to him why and go.

Communication is very important, sharing with each other your true feelings and listening unbiased to the others feelings. Talking and trying to understand.

It is when communication stops that a marriage fails. When pride and stubborness and being right are more important than what is truly right.

It should be the first step in making things better but fear can keep it from happening. Lack of trust, that the other person won't listen or understand.

So often it is the last step in saving a marraige and when it has been bottled up, or feelings disreguarded for too long then it tends to come out with a hateful vengence. Meant to prove a point or destroy.

Love, kindness, open mindedness, communication and honesty -- tempered with tact are the best tools for a long happy marraiage and it is never too late to begin.

It is when this doesn't work that it is time to rethink.

Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same.
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Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same.
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post #65 of 119
Quote:
Originally Posted by Break an Egg 

I actually met my husband when he was still looking for his kids, so there were no kids to speak of and I was with him 3 years and had an 18 month old with him when we found out his kids were in foster care and taken away from their bio mom.    They also have no contact with their mom, SD is under no influence of hers whatsoever. 

So, this was pretty much my family from the git go, like I said none of the kids knew about or remebered their bio father (DH) until we met them as a family, me, DH, and my baby.   I told him to get his kids, I accepted them into my life because that's the kind of person I am, even after being warned by everyone I knew.


Then don't complain, (too much) pick yourself up by the bootstraps and get some family counseling. Its only going to work if everyone works. Its tough raising daughters under the best of circumstances, you started out with one arm tied behind your back. Tell her dad he better get onboard too. Right now she doesn't need to see ANY division between the two of you.  What dad says you HAVE to back up and vice versa. (Of course, if one is doing something blatantly wrong or evil you don't back them up. ) Doesn't mean you can't talk about differences. Just do it in PRIVATE, not in front of children.  Try showing her some empathy. You're not THAT much older than her. Let her vent, within reason, to you. No shouting/yelling! Ever. Talk, calmness will be contagious given time.

post #66 of 119

oh, this is the most heart wrenching story!

i agree we the posters who say that this young girl needs understanding and counseling.

i also agree with the posters who say your husband is acting like a lout and is using you shamefully.

i honestly don't think it is going to work out for all of you to live together, someone has already said that sometimes you can love someone but can't live with them. you need to consider what is best for you and your biological child, if i were you i would leave. i think it is going to take something drastic for your husband to realize that his actions are further hurting his daughter.

post #67 of 119
Quote:
Originally Posted by harleyhappy 

you need to consider what is best for you and your biological child,


You can't change the past, but you can direct your future to a happier one for you and your child.   Think about what your baby is being exposed to.   Would you want to be raised in conditions like that?  You are the only one who can make your baby's life good from now on.  Courage.

post #68 of 119

I'm just going to sum up the daughter's issues, to make sure I understand....please correct me if I get any of it wrong.  I just want to get it in order in my head before I make any suggestions or comments.....

Your dh's ex had custody of the kids, and was abusing them.  She lied to them and singled out one for abuse.  She used the oldest as her enforcer and favored child.  The kids were taken into custody and spent two years in foster care (were they together?).  Then your dh found them and regained custody.  At some point during this time, your dh was in prison, was released, met you, and started a new family.  Your dh favors his oldest daughter again.

So this kid has gone from favored child in an abusive situation (and from being part of the abuse) to foster care, to your home where she is once again a favored child.  My guess is that she is horribly confused, frightened, insecure and trying to find a place in the world.  Her survival mechanism is to get one parent to dote on her, therefore protecting her from the other parent and any abuse.  She manipulates the situation to protect herself.  She is following this pattern with her dad, and he is letting her.

You and your husband need to understand what she is going through, and what she is doing.  A united front is absolutely needed.  You need clear rules and expectations, with clear and consistent consequences for everyone.  I also suggest counseling, lots of counseling...individual for the girl, family for all, and parenting classes.

If you or your husband cannot do this, you need to leave with your child.  This situation is toxic.  I can only imagine what this is doing to the younger siblings, seeing this girl set herself above them yet again.  They must be wondering what comes next; who is going to hit them, when will they have to go back to foster care, etc.

Considering that these kids were in the foster system and are now back at "home" there should be some help available to you.

I'm a little teapot.....

 

see, prions really are eating my brain

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I'm a little teapot.....

 

see, prions really are eating my brain

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post #69 of 119
Quote:
Originally Posted by WingingIt 

I didn't read all of the responses, just skimmed for your posts.

Honestly, I think she's being a 12 year old, hormonal, can't control herself fully and yeah, she's been spoiled rotten so it's what she knows and it's working for her so far.  Not saying I agree with it and the rudeness wouldn't be tolerated, but I can see where it comes from for her.  I mean, hi, nice to meet you, I'm your real Dad, you're going to come live with me and my wife and our child now and you're no longer in charge like your bio Mom had you doing.  She's sure to be a mess after what all her Mom did and then sudden changes but that doesn't give her to right to be a brat.

But I think the BIGGER issue is your DH.  I think you need family counseling.  ALL of you.  It won't work if you're the only one trying.  Sending one child alone is just going to further alienate her plus the counselor won't see the family dynamics in play.  You and DH should be able to talk together, devise a punishment plan, explain it to the children and then back each other up on it when it's time to use it.  There should be no him talking to her alone about it, united front.   A family counselor can help with all of that.

You're in a really tough position and I don't envy you one bit.  hugs  You know what, though?  As much as she fights you and thinks she knows what she wants, if/when you ever leave, she'll be devastated all over again.

Good luck.


i have to agree with Winging it. 12 year old girls can be a nightmare .  Kids are not stupid, they are the kings and queens of MANIPULATION if it gets them their own way.
Have a meeting (s) with your husband and figure out where the 2 of you stand TOGETHER on things. Do not yell, threaten, call names or accuse him. Simply say: we need to figure out where we stand and what we want for the daughter . what are our hopes and fears for her and how can we raise her to be a compassionate, caring , confident, responsible young woman ...Then take it from there.
God's blessings in your endeavor!

In GOD we trust
mom to 3 grown "kids". married to DH for 36 yrs. 1 dog( 1 BostonTerrier/Beagle  rescue) 1 mutt rabbit( also a rescue) ,2 rescue senior citizen Budgies ,assorted  Coturnix , and 2 ducks...so far ...LOL....
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In GOD we trust
mom to 3 grown "kids". married to DH for 36 yrs. 1 dog( 1 BostonTerrier/Beagle  rescue) 1 mutt rabbit( also a rescue) ,2 rescue senior citizen Budgies ,assorted  Coturnix , and 2 ducks...so far ...LOL....
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post #70 of 119

he lets here get by with what she does cause he feels guilty for not being there for them and for what she had to go through with her mom. That being said you need to try to make him see that it is not helping her him or you for him to do that. Also like everyone here said she was mom for so long that she doesnt know any different she feels you are taking her place. I have a stepdaughter like that. She had to be mom to her 2 brothers. When her dad and I got together and got custody of the 3, I have 2 daughters, She was still trying to be mom. I let her know she no longer had to worry about stuff like that and she could be a kid again. Luckly she was ready for that. I also made sure that they all didnt think that because I already had 2 kids that I loved mine more than them. Each one got special time with me. Took a day where just 2 of us did something toghther. She is the same age as my youngest daughter so at times it was like having twins in the house. My oldsest stepson was mistreated by his mom ie locked in his room as a small child for hours at a time so he was very defiant had problems with athority. I knew he was a good boy just having not got what he needed to be understood, he did a complete turn around.His dad said he never thought he could be that way. All he needed was a liitle understanding. Now they are grown we all still have battles now and then but they are good kids and I know they have come to love me as there mom. My oldest son that had the problems before is the light of my life he has grown to be such a good man. My daughter has had relationship problems because of what she went through and she still has a close relationship with her bio mom( I dont know why but she does) But she knows I will not judge her for that I have my place with her and so does her mom. Also this little girl even though how bad her mom was is still her mom and you are trying in her mind to take that place. Tell her you can never take the place of her mom, but that you would like to be a mother figure to her. an other thing you have going against you is your age she feels you are not that much older than her why should she listen to you. I think if you decide to stay you need to give all disipline to dad with her. If something comes up that she has done and he ask why you didnt deal with it tell him thats your job not mine you have made that perfectly clear so if she is in trouble you deal with it and stick to it. You are kind of in a no win situation here. Remember you cant save the world. You need to only save yourself. Do some soul searching as to what you really want and then go for it.Dont let guilt get in the way. Thats what has caused all the problems to begin with.

1 wonderful hubby  5 children,7 grandkids ,2 grandogs, 4 dogs, 39 chickens

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1 wonderful hubby  5 children,7 grandkids ,2 grandogs, 4 dogs, 39 chickens

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