I will be starting a blog shortly on some of my experiences, but I just want to drop a line of the forum about my experience first.

I am currently the proud father of a beautiful 19 month old who is the joy of my life. She gives me a reason to wake up everyday, and I never forget to hug her, or her mother before I leave for work everyday, because you never know what can happen. I have dedicated my life to being a good father, and a good role model for her.

Unfortunatley, along with this bundle of joy came a side package deal already attached to my the fiance. This is her, now 18 year old. She was about 15 and a half at the time I first met her. I work in Education and have mentored and worked with many teens over the years, and I can say I have met many mature, responsible, focused 18 year old girls with great heads on the shoulders and great attitudes who I would have been proud to call step daughters in some alternate universe.

I got the short end of the stick on this one, and instead have a darker version of this. Moody, not very bright, constantly depressed, insolent, devious, narrow minded, and most of all, hell bent on isolating her mother from me, and sometimes even my daughter, because her father was an idiot, and she now, of her own admission, has serious daddy issues. She sits around like a lump most days, sleeps through most of it, complains that she does not get to spend enough time with her mother and I am the cause, and is jealous of her half sister, intead of being happy for her. Her behavior is outrageous, and her mothers, sadly, even when she is forced to admit her daughter is acting wrongheaded, gives in to her, and attacks me instead for not being understanding enough.

She really does cast a a very dark pall over what could otherwise be a very good situation. If there is anyonee who has dealt with someone like this, who you feel has tried to quite boldly mess with your peace of mind because of their own selfishness, I would appreciate hearing your story, and your advice.

It is very stressful, and i am doing everything to not crack under the pressure. I cannot allow this insolent little brat to pry me away from both the woman i love and my baby girl, but that is exaclty what she would like to do.

confused and Frusrated in NYC