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Raspberry Dreams

CLove's picture

So, Ive been trying out a new therapy and one of the things I need to do is have power words for when I need to feel strong. When I need to get out of my own head and protect myself. When I need to activate and reinforce my boundaries. Im choosing Respberry for todays power word. Perfect new password for my new guest account.

So, my last Blog, it was made apparent that husband placated me and did not do anything remotely resembling an apoloy or make any indication of making changes.

Several years ago, Feral Forger SD24, when she was 17 went on a rant and yelled at me, called me names, called me ugly, etc. For a good 10 miniutes. I didnt know what to do (should have done like Toxic Troll...?) and was shocked. Much like the other night with SD17 Power Sulk. 

And both times husband told me he heard everything and did nothing. Didnt stick up for me. Did not say what everyone always recomends "you do NOT ever talk to an adult like that. You need to apologise to so and so" and if things are not dealt with, we are either shunned or treated worse down the line. I anticipate both

So what should I do now that I know this? Some thoughts

1. an apology. (?)

2. a famly discussion with all of us. And what do we say?

3. I make it known that there will no longer be outtings together, and why. And Repeat this.

4. I start planning what Im going to do when she ages out of visitation - to include plans for using the room as storage and guest room/snoring room. And make it known to both of them. Immediately. If not now, when should this talk come up?

Comments

ICanMakeIt's picture

You've already discussed with your husband the fact he didn't respond in real time after he admits to hearing it. 
You do you now. No need tonwaste anymore time discussing with PowerSulk- she'll come out the victim. 
You and husband might discuss your plans but it's up to him whether he communicates with his offspring. Be done done with her. 

Merry's picture

I wouldn't waste one more minute of energy on Powersulk. No meetings, no discussions, not fake apologies.

Live your best life and keep your boundaries high and mighty. Your husband will undoubtedly need repeated reminders about this, and that's the only energy I'd spend.

lieutenant_dad's picture

I'm going to give my frank opinion then answer your question.

You have been in an emotionally abusive family dynamic for so long that you don't recognize it's still emotionally abusive (or at least toxic) because it's better than it has been. But better doesn't mean it's good or healthy. You haven't actually accomplished anything with your husband or his kids. The only thing that has changed is the kids got older and disengaged from the two of you. Your husband replaced Toxic Troll with Barnacle Buddy. You still want to placate everyone without having to make big changes to your life.

I don't say any of this in malice. As an outsider looking in, what I see is you say you have boundaries, but they are holding back the toxicity as well as a chain-link fence holds back a flood. You are a good-hearted person that WANTS to put good in the world, but those in your immediate vicinity are emotional vampires who are sucking up all your goodwill. And you just keep trying to find ways that you can keep pouring it all out.

Your SD crossed a boundary with you. You're never getting an apology. You're never going to actually convince her that what she did was wrong. Her own father let it go. Her mother helped teach her this behavior. You are in a super losing battle here with exactly no one on your team except you.

So prune your family tree. SD is now cut off - emotionally, physically, financially. You won't be in the house with her while she is there. She shows up, you leave. She asks for something, you direct her immediately to her father. You don't talk about her, you don't ask about her, and you shut down any conversations about her. You don't keep explaining why you're doing it. They all know why; they're just hoping to squeeze a little bit more out of you to fulfil their own selfish desires.

Also, even though you're husband isn't actively saying or doing toxic crap to you doesn't mean he is suddenly a good husband. He had every opportunity to stand up for you and he didn't. He tried to weasel SD into what could be a date night for you both. Ask yourself - why are you the ONLY person in his life that he is willing to be a d*ck to? Is it because you're the only one who won't push back? He sucks. Massively. And he should be sad and depressed about it because he hasn't done one mother-effing thing to improve anything.

CLove's picture

I mean Lieutenant Dad!

Yes to all of it.

I guess Im not ready to serve divorce papers and sell house yet. I thought I got somewhere new, but as you pointed out, rightly, I havent gained ANYTHING but more wasted time.

I need to do full disengagement and remember that when in 47 weeks (I counted them) she ages out. I guess the punisher side of me wants to give them a reminder that you mess with me and you are out and not have to explain myself when 10 months from now they look at me like Ive grown 2 new heads. "what do you mean no choice?"

It will be interesting to see what the next year brings. I intend to make many more changes. And apparently, Toxic Troll has been "verbally abusing" poor power sulk about her wanting to get a job. Yeah right. Her mode is always to play the houses against each other and her mother is easy target. So she wont be expected to get a job anytime soon so as not to lose the low income beach town housing.

Its a total racket and I cant believe he is buying it. But shes accomplished HER mission of getting rid of me - I wont mention her lack of permit, lack of job, grades, attendance. What did it cost her? A relationship with me? lol. Yeah. I told him I already know Im just dads wife and she really doesnt care a thing about me.

Thanks for the comments and advice. I hope all is well in baby-land Biggrin

lieutenant_dad's picture

You don't need to be ready to serve divorce papers. I KNEW I shouldn't have married my XH before walking down the aisle, but I did it anyway. Then I stuck around for a few years after, knowing it was all wrong. Knowing something and being ready to accept it don't always happen at the same time.

What I don't want you to do, though, is trick yourself into thinking things are getting better when YOU are the one who has to keep moving the goal post to consider something a win. You are 100% allowed to set boundaries where you want them, and you are 100% allowed to change them whenever you want or need to. BUT, don't give credit to your husband for doing work when what has actually happened is that you just can't and don't care as much anymore.

Also remember that you don't have to accept any and all small, positive changes. It is not your job to lower your standards to meet your husband and his family where they're willing to be at. The notion that someone trying = you must accept whatever they do is bullsh*t. You're allowed to have as high of standards as you want. They're allowed to perform below those standards. You don't have to accept that, even if they make an effort to be slightly better than where they were before. Your standards matter just as much as theirs, and you don't have to lower yours just because they won't rise to meet you where you need them at.

If you want to stay, then stay. Just see it for what it really is and don't try to justify it by giving others credit for work they haven't done. 

And Babyland is going well! Admiral Baby is growing like a weed (8 months and she got her first tooth). I'll have to post an update here soon since I've been semi-absent lately.

Survivingstephell's picture

The best way to disengage is to just do it, not announce it.  You just become TOTALLY unavailable for anything and anyone  that treats you in a toxic way.  You love yourself more. By doing that you don't put yourself in situations and conversation that go nowhere.  
 

DH is now telling you what you want to hear is the hopes he can get you to calm down and assume your place that he wants you in.  Let that sink in and then let the anger burn inside you do it motivates you to action.  

CajunMom's picture

meditate on those words because they are full truth. I do not want to come across as mean spirited or negative but LtDad said it perfectly....you've gained zero ground. I'd also tread lightly with DHs "awakening" as I have heard the same damn things from my DH with his kids. (We are currently in yet another battle concerning behaviors of his 30 and 40 year old daughters and I'm hearing a lot of the same stuff).

No need to announce the disegagement. You've told your DH, now begin. And don't look back. As humans, we can demand an apology but we cannot force someone to do it. And really, what value is a forced apology? I've had a bunch of those...totally useless. Same with the family meetings...you will get the "smoke blown up your ass" treatment and within a few weeks, every thing goes back to "normal". Ask me how I know.

And now you know why I've continued my complete cutoff from DHs kids. They're POS humans and their father, my DH, still thinks they are "sweet widdle babies" that cannot take the truth of their shit behaviors, regardless of who points it out. And yes, we are back in counseling because of him standing by and letting his nutter 30 year old daughter taunt and antagonize me on my own property. No worries...I handled it...told that biotch to get off my property immediately. I tell you this, not to take away from your current issue but to let you know I'm in a very similar battle....not as devestating emotionally as yours, but similar in DH actions.

CLove, I'm in your corner, sweet Lady. Cut that girl out of your life. Let the crazy mother and her father handle any and all issues for this person and you take care of YOU. Hugs.

Rags's picture

Instead of discussing anything, plant your flag, make your declaration, and immediately put it on them to test your resolve at their peril.

To DH: "I am through sacrificing my peace of mind and quality of life to your failed parenting. Either you get yourself and your spawn under control and keep them in their place, or I will and none of you will like it."

To SDPS/etc: "If you ever are disrespectful to me again, you are out of my home and my life. This is a zero chance stipulation. Do not make the mistake of pulling any of the shit you usually pull, or your idiot mother and nasty sister pull. If  you do, including one rolled eye, one sulky sigh, etc.. you will never again cross the door of my home or receive the benefit of once Cent of benefit from my efforts. You are on the final steps of your walk of doom to adulthood. In 40wks you nor your idiot mother will get a Cent from this marriage. Your are cut off from CS on your birthday. If you want event a remote chance of getting any benefit from or belonging to this family, knock your shit off now."

Or something along these lines.

Then, show them, show yourself.  No more talking. Just taking action to apply consequences to them, and living your best life. Defend that life.

IMHO of course.

I love the power words, and the Power-CLove. 

CLove's picture

Others feel I should just not say a word and then when something happens...what then.

Right now shes staying happily in her room happily on the phone. She gotten what she wants.

Now that I am mad, I want to shove her nose in the "no job" and "no permit" failings, to make her mad too.

In fact right now I REALLY want to poke that bear hard and let her have the full throttle.

Even Husband said that if she ever threatens CPS again I should just call them for her. 

Rags's picture

I'm good either way CLove. Smack them full in the face with the declaration (no discussion), or smack then full in the face at the next infraction of Cranio-Rectitis that any of them perpetrates. 

One way you are prepared and control the timing and delivery, the other way, you have to smack them when they shove their head up their own ass.

Either way, the model is the same.

Which way are you more comfortable?  Declare and defend. Or attack in response to the inevitable crap.  One way puts the onus on them the other, puts it on you to attack the first event. If you declare and defend, the outcome is on them. If you say nothing then attack, there is an opportuntiy for them to play the poor victim of the evil StepMom.

Give her the full throttle either way.

When she asks for a ride, or for anything, and she will ask... very soon.  Go for her throat.

"You have been wasting time on your phone in your room instead of working on getting your DL. I am not taking you anywhere. If you have somewhere you want to go, start walking."

"You have been wasting time on your phone in your room instead of working a job. I am not giving you a Cent. If you need money, get a job and work."

Lather, rinse, repeat.

Harry's picture

Do you think ageing out going to, do anything.  Put your foot down.   SD is not allowed in your home,  no ifs and buts.  DH wants to see hid DD. He can do it at the park.  If SD cones to your home, that the lasts time you do anything for DH.  Cook, clean. Ect.  Disengage total from SD 

Harry's picture

Do you think ageing out going to, do anything.  Put your foot down.   SD is not allowed in your home,  no ifs and buts.  DH wants to see hid DD. He can do it at the park.  If SD cones to your home, that the lasts time you do anything for DH.  Cook, clean. Ect.  Disengage total from SD 

I would start cleaning out SD room tomorrow, her bed gone, her clothes gone, her stuff gone. Let her call CPS. You seriously think CPS is going to waste there time with a 17 yo .  Then change the locks on the doors 

CLove's picture

Im envisioning doing that right now actually. 

I really wish that I had acted such back when it happened end of last month.

Rags's picture

CPS did not give a shit about protecting a 15yo from neglect and parental endangerment.

My IL's abandoned SIL to move across the state when SIL was 15yo. They left her in a home/property that would make a good episode of Horders. No food, no money.  It was week by week if my ILs would pay the bills to keep the power and electricity on.

DW called CPS on her own parents for that crap. CPS told DW that SIL was 15, old enough to get a job, feed herself, and to  clean the house and property if it was that bad or dangerous.

No one in authority said a single work to my ILs. CPS was more irritated that my DW called in a complaint than they were that a 15yo was abandoned, no food, no adult supervision... at all, for months.

Nea

Winterglow's picture

And even i fCPS was having a slow day and decided to lend her an ear, as soon as she showed them her "proof" of abuse (the recording) they'd tell her to bugger off and stop wasting their time.

la_dulce_vida's picture

You said

"1. an apology. (?)

2. a famly discussion with all of us. And what do we say?

3. I make it known that there will no longer be outtings together, and why. And Repeat this.

4. I start planning what Im going to do when she ages out of visitation - to include plans for using the room as storage and guest room/snoring room. And make it known to both of them. Immediately. If not now, when should this talk come up?"

Do none of these. The time for explaining, convincing and announcing what you're going to do are over.

You quietly focus on yourself.

If either one of them makes demands on you. Calmly say, "I'm not comfortable with that" or "Ask your dad" or "that's not going to work for me."

No apologies. No explanations. No announcements. If you want to be gone or busy when she visits - do so. If you prefer to be home, just stay busy with your stuff and do not ask SD about ANYTHING. She makes a mess? Leave it. She wants to bend your ear? "I think you should talk to your dad."

He tries to manipulate you or make you feel bad about not doing things for him or SD or he tries to start an argument? Stay calm and just say, "No thanks" or "I've got other plans" or "I'm not comfortable with that".

You don't need their approval or buy in or to know that you're done. They know you're done. Stop announcing it. Just prove that you're really done by disengaging - completely.

CLove's picture

What if later down the road she wants to:

1. Stay with us after aging out.

2. Do things with us like holidays. 

Does the "im not comfortable with that" work for those cases also? Im thinking yes because back when feral forger asked to live with us for a short time, the last time, I made it clear that wouldnt work for me (back several years when feral forger did the same)

A thought thats been crawling through my brain is that she might have done this on purpose to make is so I would force the issue of staying full time with her mother. She even stated that, offered it. Because she and I have discussed her sisters behavior towards me and the fact I wont live with her again.

So she knows thats her easy out button. Push that button and automatic out of my house...

but then why mention to husband that her mother is "verbally abusing her" about not getting a job. Oh yeah - so dad wont bother her about getting a job!!!!

How clever!

Rags's picture

Focus on their individual behaviors.  

Know your scripts, and use them.

NO! is a complete answer to any question. Stick to that, and focus on you.

1. Stay with us after aging out.  "NO! (You/She) cannot move in with us after graduation. Just (your/her) presence during visitation has been toxic. I will not allow  (you/her) here full time, or at all after (you/she) ages out from under the CO."

2. Do things with us like holidays. "NO! (Your/Her) past behaviors at any time including holidays have not earned being present during a holiday and I will not risk you/her ruining a holiday."

Choose either You or Her based on if the question is asked by SD or DH. Same message either way.

AgedOut's picture

Editted to add: saying this to Clove. 

 

I think you're diving too deep. She wanted to get her way, she doesn't want to be held accountable and Dad talks to her about it ..cue the tears about Mommy being mean to her. Tears = water, she just adds water to get instant victimhood an victimhood means she gets her way and isn't held accountable. He's fine w/ it because he doesn't have to parent. 

 

take the advice given by others and go all inner Elsa and "let it go" no family meetings, no talking it out, let your actions speak

 

 

Rumplestiltskin's picture

"I think you're diving too deep. She wanted to get her way, she doesn't want to be held accountable and Dad talks to her about it ..cue the tears about Mommy being mean to her. Tears = water, she just adds water to get instant victimhood an victimhood means she gets her way and isn't held accountable. He's fine w/ it because he doesn't have to parent."

Yep. These aren't deep thinkers (DH and PS.) They each have their selfish desires. DH wants his creature comforts (alcohol, fishing, sex, food, entertainment) and wants them for the least amount of effort or hassle. Powersulk probably wants what most teenage girls want - to do what she wants when she wants, get what she wants when she wants, and get attention and sympathy. Teenagers are the star of their own personal soap opera. I'm guessing a lot of us were that way. She doesn't give a sh!t about anyone but herself. The problem with her is that she is unparented and unchecked, and, let's be honest, a little neglected because her parents are so selfish. But - as experience has shown, there's not a damn thing you can do about her parenting. TT and DH are her very present but very shitty parents and trying to make up for their lack is only going to hurt you in the long run and it sounds like she is taking out her angst, sadistically, on you. Don't be her punching bag and don't wear yourself out trying to overfunction for your husband. 

Survivingstephell's picture

I thought you had a long game plan to leave?  If so why are you considering the possibility of her moving in ??  Which is it?  I don't think you have committed one way or another in your mind or heart, so you come across as wishy washy in your posts of late.  One day your ready to pitch it all in the fire , the next you post about some "breakthrough " someone had.   Do a deep dive in lot all of your previous posts and take a hard look at all the toxic crap they have put you through, done to you.  

Lillywy00's picture

I probably would have called her mother or grandparents or whoever to come get her. 
 

then I would have called the husbands work wife and told her come get him too! 
 

im kidding. 
 

But seriously your husband was out of order hearing his spawns verbally abuse you and do nothing. Just as abusive to allow you to be abused .... in your own home. 
 

That's a one way ticket to marital celibacy. I'd take sex off the table until he came correct!

IDontCare3117's picture

There's no need for apologies because they wiould be insincere and fake.  No need for a family discussion because it won't change anything long-term.  No need for great declarations of what will and won't happen because PS and DH have learned it won't take long for you to crack and things will go back to the status quo they prefer.  

The time for talk is over unless it's to discuss the division of assets between you and DH, and you've made it clear you're not ready for that.  PS doesn't need to darken your doorstep.  Find a cheap efficiency apartment and tell DH that's where he gets to have his visitation with her from now on.  He can deal with her BS all on his lonesome.  It doesn't matter if neither of them like it - they've earned a place for just the two of them.  You shouldn't have to leave your house because she wants to come over.  DH has made it clear he's not going to protect you from PS, and he'll do whatever he can to prevent you from protecting yourself so as not to upset her.

I honestly hope you get to the point you just don't GAF anymore. Don't care what they do, where they do it, as long as they aren't around you.  It's been my experience in relationships that's when the other person (or people) realized they couldn't walk all over me anymore.  They simply didn't matter.

ndc's picture

1. Apology. Why bother? It'll be insincere and meaningless.

2. Family meeting. Why bother? Powersulk isn't your family - that's been made pretty clear.  She's just your H's kid who uses you when it suits her purposes. 

3. Outings. You already said there won't be any.  There's no need to reiterate it. Just make sure there aren't any.  Probably the one you need to tell this to over and over is yourself. 

4. The age out.  The only one who possibly needs to hear about your plans for when Powersulk ages out is your H. Let him know your boundary. If that's no adult children living with you, full or part time, tell him that.  There is absolutely no need to announce it to Powersulk. And no need to tell your husband if it's not a boundary you intend to hold.  You tend to draw lines in the sand and then back up when your H and his baggage jump over the line. I'd quietly formulate a plan of what you'll do if your boundaries regarding PS once she turns 18 and graduates are not respected, and get yourself in a position to be able to effect that plan.

Lieutenant Dad is spot on - there haven't really been any changes here. The only one you can change is yourself. Your H and his toxic and dysfunctional family aren't going to change.