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update and need advice please!!!

no validation's picture

So the SK's have departed from us and still SD did not speak to me unless she wanted something from me. Anyway, last night we went to pick up SD from her bball game (which she is not playing in due to injury) and got there at the beginning of the 4th quarter. I went with DH to get her ONLY because we needed to stop at the pet store very badly and I knew DH wouldn't do it on his own. So when the game was over, DH and I wallked over to SD and she gave him a big hug and once again did not even acknowledge my exsistance, of which of course DH said nothing to correct the disrespectful behavior. On the way home we got something to eat and SD was on the phone with BM and Aunt talking in code and laffing, of which I have no doubt was about me because they heard DH and I talking in the background. ANYWAY, we get home and everyone goes to bed. DH works on his computer in the bed while I try to get some sleep. When he is done (well after midnight) he turns over to me and says something to me about SS's reportcard being there when he picked him up for daycare, but the teacher wanted to talk about it before she gave it to him and he didn't have the time. DH recounted the convo with BM regarding this telling me BM said he could of at least helped her out by talking to the teacher because BM doesn't like her. I'm thinking to myself, we have had the SK's on an extended weekend to help her out so WTF? Anyway, I then mention to him that we never did all have a talk this weekend about SD's attitude towards me. To which he acted like he didn't know what I was talking about. I reminded him of the email he sent to me regarding (and saying) this. His reply was that he didn't know it was still a problem. *sigh* So I state that SD didn't speak to me all weekend unless she wanted something and I concider that RUDE! (He never did respond to the email I sent him about all this last week (for emails see forum topic "On my way to divorce")). So what was his response? He took a big exacerbated sigh and rolled over and started to snore. *sigh again*

So this is the email I have prepared to send him today and I need advice on it (I included in it all the previous emails stated above...I'm not going to repost those here). I want to know what you all think of it (is it nagging, is it mean, is it unnecessary etc?) before I send it to him. I am trying to do what I can in regards to working on my marriage, as SD and BM is the only thing we really fight about, and to be fair without slighting myself. SO what do you all think? Here it is....

I am sending this to you to confirm that I did see what I thought I saw about “We all will be talking this weekend”. Not as an “I told you so”, but just as a confirmation.
It does and has bothered me that ****(SD) is allowed to totally ignore/disregard me as if I am not there, with the exception of her wanting something from me. I am her parent (whether she likes it or not) and more than that an adult, and thus (as I mentioned last night) this is being disrespectful. I have decided that I will take it upon myself to have a heart to heart with ***(SD) the next time she is with us. You of course can join this discussion, but I feel as it is a discussion that I need to lead at this point. If you would like, we can discuss what I am going to say before hand.
Also, in saying what I did in the below email about not letting ****(SD) nor ****(BM) make me upset or unhappy any longer, I would like for you to make arrangements to pay****(BM) her child support in another way besides me writing her a check. Maybe a cashiers check through your bank ($6.00) or have her sign a receipt for cash. I am not trying to be difficult at all. As stated below, “I am just trying to preserve self without causing anyone else pain in the process.”
In saying all of that, I did have a good weekend with the family and enjoyed having all the kids there.

I love you as always,
Me

I would love any feedback before I send this to him please! Thanks in advance!

Comments

unknown's picture

this is so sad what you're going through. and i completely understand. you being disrespected by your SK and are getting NO support from yet again, another spineless guilty dad. here's what i suggest:

take matters into your OWN hands. defend yourself and demand common courtesy and respect from ALL members of YOUR household. this is your house and YOUR life and the next time your SD ignores and such, confront her on it right in front of her dad. say to your SD, "you know, it's respectful to say hello to people when you greet them." and again, if she continues to ignore you, confront her, say "sandra (or whatever Skids name is), why are you ignoring me?" kids are tough and cocky until they are confronted. and if your DH criticzes you after doing this, again, IN FRONT OF HIS DAUGHTER SAY "i am not asking more than common courtesy, manners and respect. i will not tolerate being ignored in my own house. this is not very nice behavior and it hurts my feelings. oh, and yes, did i mention? MY FEELINGS MATTER TOO." then put on your coat and go to a movie and let BD and SD think about their selfish behaviors.

as stepmoms, i am beginning to realize that no one is going to treat you with respect unless you demand it. trust me, i wish the world worked in a way where they just understood that they needed to be polite, but they don't. you are required to say it out loud. "i require respect and courtesy."

after all, you're probably the one doing all the cooking and cleaning and care in the household. if you don't get some of the smallest forms of common courtesy what have you been reduced to? a maid? yes.

Just trying to be a Stepmom without getting Stepped On.

no validation's picture

I put in the letter that it has gotten to the point that *I* need to have a heart to heart with SD. So you think the letter is ok to send?

Nothing comes easy thats worth fighting for.....thats what they tell me!

sassymom's picture

In my state a reciept exchanged for CS even with all the proper notation is a gift not CS so check into that before you have to pay twice like we had to. Everything else is true kids must respect us not just b/c were stepparents but adults IMPORTANT adults in their lives. good luck with the talk i'll be praying.

no validation's picture

given her a reciept for cash before. It says "for child support of SD and SS" Hse signed that she agreed and accepted it as such. Thanks tho, I will verify w/ lawyer.

Nothing comes easy thats worth fighting for.....thats what they tell me!

Colorado Girl's picture

then it leaves you with the burden of proof.

I've said this before....go through your county. They keep records and if ever a problem, BM calls them instead of you!

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain."

no validation's picture

I love what you said about "the second talk" and the conciquences it will bring! I hope it doesn't get to that point, but it may, so THANKS!!!
Nothing comes easy thats worth fighting for.....thats what they tell me!

no validation's picture

He works for a very small private company. Even tho his boss knows the circumstances, DH would rather not involve work. I do agree with him on this. Thanks for the advice!!!

Nothing comes easy thats worth fighting for.....thats what they tell me!

frustratedinMA's picture

I like what you had to say to him. Further.. I would let the SD know that if she cant be civil to you all the time, then dont bother when she wants something, as you are on to her and dont REALLY have to comply w/what she wants.

I seem to be a bit immature.. as when at the game after dad got a hug, it would have gone something like this:

Me: Hi SD
SD: **Silence**
Me: Hmmm??? OH.. I missed you too!!
SD: ** am guessing Eye Rolls by now**
Me: DH.. Isnt SD the most polite child going?? (dripping w/sarcasm)

no validation's picture

PERFECT!!!! If only *I* would have thought of that!!!

Nothing comes easy thats worth fighting for.....thats what they tell me!

sarahbernheart's picture

I think it is a good letter, but instead of making it just her and you I would call the whole family together and make it a group chat.
maybe that will take pressure off of SD (being stubborn and not listen) and there is not he said she said problems.
just a thought

“You will never be on top of the world
if you try to carry it on your shoulders.”

no validation's picture

That is what was supposed to happen this last weekend, per my husband, but never did. That is why I said it is to the point that *I* need to deal with her. Maybe she will do like she did once before and refuse to come. Eventually she was MADE to come, which I am sorry to say made me smile inside because then SHE was the one not getting her way for a change!

Nothing comes easy thats worth fighting for.....thats what they tell me!

sarahbernheart's picture

looks like you are going to have to be big "man" on campus.

there is no easy answer for sure
maybe you will have to make a proclimation and post it on her door??? make it small words. LOL
your big obstacle is the DH (like you need me to tell you) as long as he is not on board, SD will not comply.
good luck!

“You will never be on top of the world
if you try to carry it on your shoulders.”

frustratedinMA's picture

Actually.. calling her out in front of everyone and not just the parents might backfire.. she might feel ganged up on..

I think of it like.. if she was an employee.. would you have this convo in front of her peers? or w/an HR representative (in this case.. that would be DH)

no validation's picture

attitudes to us as parents, which would have put her on blast, but also reinterate to my kids the need to continue to be respectful without necessarily pointing fingers. I thought it was important for us all to talk so everyone could hear the same message and not feel ganged up on (but for me more so that my BK's see that it is being addressed cause they have a problem with how she treats me as well)

Now, I just don't care how it is handled, as long as it IS......the only way (once again) that I can be certain of that is if *I* do it myself.....sound familiar ladies?

Nothing comes easy thats worth fighting for.....thats what they tell me!

sarahbernheart's picture

it is definitely important that your BK knows that the Skids are not getting away with stuff. I was facing the same issue with my FH oldest bs.
I had a contract written up of acceptable attitudes and behaviors before I agreed to let SS and FH move in- FSS was supposed to sign as well as mine. But FH never called the meeting so guess what they are not moving in!

“You will never be on top of the world
if you try to carry it on your shoulders.”

gertrude's picture

I am a manager and a step mom - so I understand the whole "praise in public scold in private" thing. I tried that with my 20y/o SD and found she took advantage of being rude in public. So - just last week - she was doing the whole ignoring thing while her friend was over. I had just asked her a question and she went into the whole eyes averted, arms crossed, heavy sigh thing. (Yes - a 20y/o acting like she is 4!). So, I said, "(SD's Name), Are you grumpy? Are you rude? Are you dieing? What is going on?" So, I called her out in front of her friend. But - she replied. I've had to give up on the privacy thing. Later I found out her father had laid down a rule she was blaming on me - HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

sarahbernheart's picture

make it a rule for everyone that rudeness will not be tolerated by anyone-
and the consequences are blah blah...

“You will never be on top of the world
if you try to carry it on your shoulders.”

no validation's picture

We are on the same page.....

Nothing comes easy thats worth fighting for.....thats what they tell me!

Colorado Girl's picture

let them all be immature and obnoxious on their own time (BM, SD, and aunt)...

I agree making it be between the two of you. Wait until she "wants" something again and then confront her at that point. Tell her she can either not talk to you whatsoever or you can have a cordial relationship where there is mutual repsect. This includes normal conversations and no dismissive behavior. You don't have to like each other but you do have to coexist.

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain."

no validation's picture

Of saying something like this....
SD, I need you to understand that, as I have said to you before, you need to adress me when you see me because that is the respectful thing to do to an adult let alone your parent. Yes your parent, for altho I am not your biological parent I do have the title of your stepMOM which makes me your parent. You do not have to love me, or even like me, I probably love you enough for the both of us, but you DO have to respect me. I concider you part of my responsibility, and I think you do too or else you would ask me to come to your games even tho your father can't make it, just to cheer you on. So I need you to be respectful to me because anything else will not be tolerated.

How does that sound?

Nothing comes easy thats worth fighting for.....thats what they tell me!

sarahbernheart's picture

I think you should at least have a witness.
I just worry that if she is gets an attitude that it will become a pissing contest?
I am just a very cautious person.
what can I say I am an accountant!!

“You will never be on top of the world
if you try to carry it on your shoulders.”

evilsm's picture

And very similar to a conversation I have had with SD. She may say and do a lot of things but she is respectful to me. Much more than to her own BM and my DH. Sad but true.

~Evil

If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders. ~Abigail Van Buren

Colorado Girl's picture

"SD, I need you to understand that, as I have said to you before, you need to address me when you see me because that is the respectful thing to do. It's important to me so even if you are not trying to be disrespectful, I am interpreting it that way. You do not have to love me, or even like me, I do know that I still love you no matter what. I am not your mother so this is not a requirement of me. I chose to love you and I think you have such potential. I concider you part of my responsibility, and I think you do too or else you wouldn't ask me to come to your games even tho your father can't make it, just to cheer you on. I understand how hard it is for ALL of us to get along - all the kids and new wives and husbands. But we have to try. We're family and we're stuck with each other forever. So please understand that I need you to be respectful to me because anything else will not be tolerated. I would think you would have the same expectation of your personal relationships, don't you?"

I'm not very abrasive when I'm trying to work out a situation. Your SD will stomp her feet and think it's unfair that she has to acknowledge you. So just ask her to do it because you NEED it not because it is required of her. I think she will be a lot more receptive.

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain."

no validation's picture

I will cut and paste it to a document so I can memorize it word for word! LOL Smile

Nothing comes easy thats worth fighting for.....thats what they tell me!

toomuch's picture

No more emails.

When the time is right real soon. You have to sit with DH preferably in a neutral area where there can't be a scene like a restuarant or park and tell him "this is a family" the not acknowledging you, or not greeting you is unacceptable and won't be tolerated, how would he feel and tell him he has to make a point to beware at these moments and address it. Affirm his role as a husband and father.

Then tell him that you need him to become aware of what's happening when in a group and he needs to say "So and so did you say hello to ..." If he doesn't, point it out to him in front of her. So and so, you see she didn't say hello, we're a family."

My SS does that all the time to my BS15, he refuses to say hello, etc. etc. until he needs something. I got real tired of it. sooo...Just last weekend SS12 needed me to help him with the computer, I couldn't do it, my son did it and he didn't even say thank you. I was fuming. First I asked my son, did he say thank you, son said no. I went straight to DH and told him, "I need you to speak to SS and tell him that's not acceptable. I don't know what he has against my son...but here we operate as a family and that was wrong." After dinner I asked DH if he had spoken to DH and he said he made SS say thank you.

Parenting is a lot of work and we have to be proactive. I got up DH off his butt and told him to his job -- start parenting. BAAAAAAAMMM!!! Through the ball back in his court. Stand firm. Demand respect but put the ball back in DH court.

For two months I told DH we needed a family meeting. Fe said ok, but it never happened. One sunday I took the initiative and told DH after lunch we going to sit and down and have the family needed. I'm going to talk about this and this and this and I need you to say to add your thoughts. We're a team and we are a family. If you don't want this to end in divorce, you'll do this and you're like it."

I pressed it until it happened. I shared my observations and expections. DH did as well and then I gave my son and SS the opportunity to speak. In the end children, love to play their parents against each other and behind the scenes of step parent's backs you don't know what they're saying - so - it's better to put it all in the open and act as a team.

I remember cruella saying "no more tiptoeing". That is right. I told my husband before we got engaged, after we got married and still have to remind him. I don't want to be in a relationship of disrespect. I had to step it up a notch like Emeril and say "Don't forget as SS father it's your responsibility to parent him and you can't leave it all to me. When you're in the room watching football or whatever make it point to check on him once in a while." BAAAAAMMMM!!! He didn't like it but tough. Like some DHs they think that as stepmoms we're supposed to jump to their parenting rescue to do what they don't like to do or don't want to do. Too d@mn bad. BAAAAAMMM!!!

As far as child support payments, he can have it taken out of his paycheck automatically like my DH and CS sends it to her or you can set up automatic bill payment with the bank where they create and mail a paper check monthly. You give them the amount and the address. If worse come to worse. Open up a netspend account online (9.95) and give it to BM. You can add funds to it and create your own pin. you keep all the info.

Hang in there.

no validation's picture

toomuch, I would agree with yu on the emails if we were dealing with anyone OTHER than my DH. He doesn't talk. He either says he can't deal with it right now(and never comes back to it), or does
like he did last night and not say anything(so you wonder were SD gets it from eh?).

Nothing comes easy thats worth fighting for.....thats what they tell me!

sarahbernheart's picture

noV sometimes my FH and I find it sometimes easier to communicate in emails.
emotions can get in the way and emails take some of the emotion out of a discussion-
also we met online and found out alot about each other thru emails-it works for us.

“You will never be on top of the world
if you try to carry it on your shoulders.”