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Cast as the Villain Again

SKIDSarekillingme2's picture

I need respite. I need a break from all of the ugliness SD18, her Mother, and MIL.  I feel like it is impossible to get one.  Almost like they take turns having a go at me. 

This time it’s SD18, and honestly it is her a lot.  She posted a video on social media attacking myself and my husband.  Telling the world how “evil” we are.  Me especially; I am the villain in her story.  I’ve removed myself from all of her social media, but our lives are so interwoven that well meaning friends still share these things with us.  It’s also really embarrassing when a friend that doesn’t know SD18 is BPD and thinks we must have done something to cause this tries to have a talk with me.  This came to us through one of my D15’s friends.  D15 was really upset by this.  The most upset I’ve ever seen her surrounding this situation.  D15 felt like it was necessary for her to stick up for me and DH.  She confronted SD18 via text.  I was so grateful that D15 would have the instinct to do that for me it was really heartwarming, but I made sure to let her know it wasn’t her job.  I told her I accepted my role in SD18’s delusional story a long time ago and even though I love that D15 did that, that in the future she should just ignore SD18 and tell her friends the same.

My real feelings though are frustration, fatigue, sadness, and exhaustion.  I know I’m not perfect and like all parents I’ve made my share of mistakes, but I have been a really good SM and I’ve been a good Mom.  I have sacrificed myself for all of our kids.  I have been supportive, kind, and sometimes firm (which isn’t easy either).  I’ve done all that I can to provide an environment where all of my kids can thrive and be happy.  BM on the other hand has been neglectful, abusive, and has subjected both of my SD’s to some really bad things.  For example; she took them to a wedding last year where they were staying at the hotel where the reception occurred.  BM and her boyfriend got so drunk and obnoxious that the hotel called the police.  SD’s had to watch the entire thing unfold.  Also, earlier in the night BM sent youngest SD, then 12, to the hotel room while she, boyfriend, and SD then 17 stayed at the reception.  SD13 texted and called BM nearly 100 times telling her she was scared and that she needed her.  The texts were so unbelievably sad.  This is how most of the SD’s lives with BM has gone.  There were dozens of times she left them at home until 4 or 5 in the morning.  She started doing this when the oldest SD was 9.  So how does she become a saint in SD18’s story.

I feel like I’ve done everything I’m supposed to do and more for both SD’s. I feel like I’ve given more than was ever required of a SM.  Why then am I the villain?  I know in my logical mind it is SD18’s own sickness.  I know in my logical mind I should just forget these things and not let them bother me, but I can’t.  I want to be loved.  I want my love returned.  I’m fatigued from giving and never getting anything back especially from SD18.  I have basically no relationship with her now, but somehow, she’s still asking things from us that require some interaction.  It’s probably wrong but I don’t want to do anything for her.  She currently is asking for her furniture and television from our house.  She moved out a year ago and has almost no relationship with us unless she wants something.  The furniture and tv were gifts.  We redid her room for one of her birthday’s and I think the tv was a Christmas present, but I don’t want to give them to her.  I don’t want to give her anything else I’ve given too much…and I don’t want any reason for interaction.  D15 and SD13 often use that room when they have sleepovers so we will have to spend money to furnish the room after we give her the furniture.  I just feel so resentful about all of it.

DH (currently feeling more like it’s Dumb Husband vs. Dear Husband) initially said he was so disappointed in SD18 for posting that and he was going to talk to her.  He also claimed he was going no contact with her until she came to him about the latest issue (the one before this) and they could talk about that.  Now he is just having regular friendly conversations with SD18 without confronting any of the issues.  I want him to feel comfortable to have whatever kind of relationship he needs to have with SD18, but I don’t know how to feel good about this.  I resent that he won’t stick up for us.  I resent that he won’t confront this latest post and at least ask her to stop posting about us.  I resent that I feel like he will have a friendly relationship with SD18 even when she is hurting us both.  I resent that I have to endure this abuse from her and the embarrassment of her posting it.  My logical mind says that even if he confronts it, it might not get better.  SD18 is very sick and her BPD limits he ability to have a relationship with anyone.  I have asked DH to at least insist that she go back to counselling before he has a full relationship with her, but he won’t.  He did suggest it to her, which is good, but it wasn’t attached to why he was suggesting it.  I think it would have been more helpful if he would have said something like…I’m having a really hard time having a good relationship with you because of your behavior and I think you going back to counselling could help.  It was just mentioned casually like I think you should have a dental checkup.  She has refused to seek any help.  She is still on my insurance, so cost is not an issue.  Also, we have always paid any co-pay associated with mental health treatment for her.

I know I need to focus on my and D15’s needs now.  D15 is so hurt by this situation I don’t want her anywhere near SD18.  I just don’t know how to totally keep myself and D15 from hearing it or seeing it.  Neither of us follow her on any social media.  She and I have both told our really close friends and family we don’t want to know about anything she posts about us, but it still creeps in.  I’m just so fatigued by it and I so badly need respite.  It is affecting my relationship with DH too.  Every time he says things like “I’m going to be there for SD18 no matter what” I squirm, I feel broken.  This means this will never go away and it doesn’t seem likely DH can or will protect me and D15 from it.  I gather he thinks it’s not a big deal and we can just handle it.  He has actually said that SD18 is sick and we are strong so we can handle this and she can’t.  It makes me feel like DH doesn’t care about us.  It makes me feel like he would sacrifice us for SD18, because he has.  I’m questioning how to have a relationship with DH and navigate this.  I need to see that he will protect us from as much of this as he can and I’m not seeing it.  I know it must be hard to have to have difficult conversations with your daughter, but I truthfully don’t really get it.  If my Daughter had posted anything like that I would have no problem talking to her about it.  I would not be able to ignore it, and I would be so disappointed in her.

It feels insurmountable right now.  DH basically refuses to talk about it anymore and if I really persist with it…like I did last night…it leads to him lashing out at me and saying terrible things.  This behavior just compounds everything and make me question why I’m in this relationship.  I feel like it might all be superficial at this point; I don’t want to give up the life we have, the friends we have, the fun we have with our couple friends, the beautiful home and life we’ve built.  The hard truth is that I’m not getting my needs met in this relationship.  I’m asking, actually begging for it and still not getting it.  It seems like the more I request the less I get.  I even get some ugliness back.  F&%$ why can’t this be easier.  I feel like I’m so far in that I can’t get out.  I don’t want to start over I just want peace.

Comments

SKIDSarekillingme2's picture

I'm learning borderlines aren't like everyone else and nothing seems to work.  NC seems like the only choice for me.  I need to stop enduring SD18 and put it all on DH.  Also I am going to have to be more clear with friends who keep telling us these things tha are being posted.  It's hard because it is so embarassing to talk about and I know that a lot of people beleive I've done something to deserve this...but making my circle small and gettig rid of all of this crazy in my life would definately help.

I've been doing something fun just D15 and I every day.  it is the only bonus to this COVID thing, she has a lot of free time right now Smile

scm444's picture

My SD(16) started using me as the scapegoat at the age of 14, although I'm sure that the BM had been grooming her for years.  My DH would not and has never taken up for me.  In fact, he has done quite the opposite IN FRONT OF HER.  It's hurtful, embarrassing, and disappointing to say the least.  My DH too refuses to talk about any of the issues with SD.  I don't know if he doesn't know how, if he is scared of her, or if this is just how he handles things (i.e., he can't).  But his parents are the same.  I tried for two years to talk so that issues could be resolved.  It would turn into horrible fights between me and DH.  If I tried to talk to SD on the few occasions I had the opportunity, she would just start crying and not particpate in a conversation (she has done since I met her at the age of 7).

I haven't had to endure the social media shaming.  She took too much pleasure in blocking me and everyone associated with me from facebook.  She asked to be my fb friend again eventually and I accepted only because I felt like I had to, less i be even more evil than already portrayed.  She has asked three people who she deleted along with me.  My sister and two friends.  None of whom accepted.  And I realized why this made me so happy.  FINALLY, I felt like someone was sticking up for me to her.  Because nobody in my family would.  Not my DH, not my in laws, and not my SS.  Not that I think it's SS job, but he could have said, "Hey that's insane.  I know you have not been mean to her."  Silence.

I have completely disengaged.  Completely.  It is the only way to cope and for me to have somewhat of a happy life.  My DH claims he loves me so much and he loves me more than anyone in the world.  He just doesn't act like.  SD rules the entire family.  They gave her all the control.  I'm the only one who would not bow down to her and I have no intention of doing it.  I apologized to her (not sure for what) more than once.  I have tried to talk to her.  I have tried to have a relationship.  All of which I did for my DH.  I knew it wouldn't help but I had to show all of them that I tried and take myself out of the equation.  If I don't do anything and am not around, i cannot be blamed (or shouldn't be).  She doesn't seem to get it's a two way street.  Entitled, manipulative, teenager, with a mother who taught her everything.  It's the perfect storm.

scm444's picture

I also go to therapy by myself and that helps.  Sometimes DH and I would go together but the last time we did, I realized there was no point.  We started arguing.  My DH also seems to remember things differently.  He will straight up deny that something occurred.  It's weird.  I think he is suffering from the afects of the PAS but he lives in a state of denial about the whole thing.

strugglingSM's picture

I also go alone now. Going with DH didn't feel productive, not because he's in denial, but because he feels stuck, doesn't know what to do, and doesn't always pick up on the bad behavior from his family (or even from BM), because it's become so normalized for him.

I've encouraged  him to seek his own counseling, but he's not overly interested. If I told him he had to go or I was leaving, he'd go, but I'm not at that point, yet. 

He's asked if he can come to one of my sessions so he can understand what to do, but I don't feel like that would be helpful for either of us. I feel it would be weird for him to see my counselor. 

strugglingSM's picture

People with BPD can be extremely challenging to deal with, especially if they are not actively seeking treatment. 

The BM in my case has not been diagnosed, but three counselors I've seen and the couples conselor DH saw with BM during their divorce flagged her "borderline tendencies". She tells terrible lies about DH and me and DH's family believes her. 

It's extremely exhausting, frustrating, and disheartening. I've worked with several counselors to figure out how to deal with that. All of them have told me that my reactions are normal, but there's not much I can do to make her go away. They have advised that I should avoid her at all costs. 

It has been extremely hurtful that DH's family believes BM and thinks she is only looking out for the best interests of the children. Even when I've shared some of the specific incidences and even though they've been copied on emails where she's made claims that are obviously lies, they still see her as  "a good person" and have accused DH of just "being at war" with her. I think that's the hardest thing to deal with, the people who believe the lies.

You have to suffer in silence and that feels so unfair. Thanks to my mother, my mantra has become, "you what the truth is and that is enough." If others can't see the truth, I have to move to a place where I don't care what they think. That is *hard* very, very hard. 

I recommend that you find a good counselor. One who is familiar with the trauma that being the target of blame for someone with BPD can cause. You might want to find a couple's counselor who can also help your DH understand the role he needs to play. When DH and I saw a couple's counselor together and she was clear with DH that he needed to set clear boundaries with BM. This was before we were married and if I'm being honest, the counselor told me that I should really think twice about marrying DH because "her behavior will not get better, it will only get worse." She was right, but I don't regret marrying DH. He has gotten much better about maintaining boundaries with BM, which has caused him a lot of grief and created a wedge with his family. My biggest concern is that one of my SSs will also develop "borderline tendencies" or BPD, like your SD and then DH will be the target of blame for him. 

I wish you the best. This has been the most challenging, exhausting, and frustrating experience in my life. It's been so disheartening to see how DH's family react and involve themselves. I feel heartbroken for DH that his family is so unsupportive toward him. 

SKIDSarekillingme2's picture

Your situation sounds really similar to mine and I'm so sorry you have to go through this.  I feel really bad for my DH for losing his family as well.  I keep thinking it will all turn around and his family will get it, but the truth is in order to talk to IL's about this DH would have to totally discredit his daughter and I think he feels so conflicted about that.  I wish he would just try...but I guess if they have believed all of these things then they are likely not good for us either...so sad Sad

It makes me feel better hearing other peoples stories.  Sometimes I feel so alone with all of this and most of my friends just don't understand what it's really like.

Wicked stepmo.'s picture

Disengage completely and focus on you and DD15. Let DH pursue the relationship with SD. I found at least in my situation I have protected SO from much of SDs behavior by dealing with the brunt of it myself and ultimately becoming enemy #1 as a result.  As I have stepped out of the situation,  he is starting to see things on his own. That being said, it will be some time before he even gets close to seeing her for who she really is, as he has not yet been the one in the position to be used and abused by SD.  In the beginning we both thought it was a good idea I interact more with SD as she was just beginning to experience puberty and he felt she would benefit from having a good relationship with me so she could have someone to talk to.  I truly made every effort to have some kind of relationship with her and at first I thought I did. But over time it became clear she never liked me or respected me. She only cared about what what I could get her or do for her.  She never appreciated a single thing I have ever done for her. She is the same way with BM and SO.  She can bully BM I to giving her what she wants or giving her, her way.  The only time I have ever seen SD be nice to SO is when she is about to ask for something.  The only time I have ever seen her show him any affection or say she loves him is after he has bought her something.  As for me SD has basically said she no longer has any use for me after I put my foot down and told her I was cutting her off and if she wants or needs anything to ask her parents. 

SO is basically in the beginning of going through all the motions I have already gone through in trying to have a relationship with SD. I make it a point to not give my opinion or personal experience and just support him in his efforts.  It's hard for me to sit back and watch as he gets his feelings hurt by SD but I dont have any other choice, he has to figure it out for himself. 

SKIDSarekillingme2's picture

This is so hard for me...I know it's the right thing to just sit back and let whatever happens with him and SD18 happen...but I hate having any connection to her.  I wish we both wanted to go NC but I understand this is his daughter and he has to do what he thinks is best. I worry so much about SD13 and usually we just don't say anything, but I think I'm going to start being clear about the possible danger of SD18.  Right or wrong maybe I can protect her somehow.

Wicked stepmo.'s picture

I often use SDs behavior to have healthy discussions with DS. And YSD I look at it this way, SD is far from the only person who acts the way she does and they will encounter plenty of people in his lifetime just like her. So it's good they are learning to build healthy boundaries. You may be surprised I find both DS and YSD see the negative behavior themselves and having an adult clarify how and why those behaviors are unhealthy has been helpful.  Especially for YSD as she had previously felt like OSD gets away with her behavior because she is liked better by her parents. 

Exjuliemccoy's picture

I'm so sorry you're caught up in this mess caused by someone else's baggage. It's clear you are a compassionate and loving person, and unfortunately you and your daughter are in the path of a BPD hurricane.

You have options, and you have rights. You have the right to a peaceful existence, and to be treated with dignity and respect.

It sounds as if your H doesn't know what to do. He's frustrated and feels helpless, but that is not an excuse to treat you poorly, and being married doesn't mean you have to accept poor treatment from his daughter or him.

I can well remember going though a similar time when BPD YSD lived with us. I was an emotional wreck, and felt very conflicted. I didn't know how to draw boundaries or create some safe space for myself within all the chaos. And even after YSD ran off, it took a good while for me to calm and feel safe again.

I think it would be helpful for you to create a list of your priorities. This can help you focus more on you, and less on the chaos caused by your H's mentally ill baggage. Clearly defining what your role is and isn't may also help give you emotional distance from his daughter, which I think you really need. Obviously you own daughter's well-being should be job one, self care, your career, etc. Define what's important to you right now, and try to just stick to those things.

 Detaching emotionally from this hostile, unpredictable, mentally ill person is essential. You can't fix this, you can't control this, and you don't have to offer yourself and your daughter up as collateral damage. Let her go. Accept that she is a danger to the well-being of you and your daughter , and focus on giving your daughter a safe, stable adolescence.

 

SKIDSarekillingme2's picture

creating a list of my priorities associated with this is a great idea.  I think it will help remind me that me and D15 have been through enough and stick to NC.

CLove's picture

She doesnt get the furniture. Not a stick of furnishings will be given over to her.

Because shes "ill" doesnt excuse her behavior and treatment of you, the abusing and harrassment as well as the slander on social media. She is not "deserving" simply because she shares DNA with your DH. That would be a no go zone.