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stepmothers serious delema

julianna's picture

I am thrilled to finally find a place to vent and get advice and opinions. I moved to a new state and and got married. I have 2 step children, Lacey, 18 and Ron 23. I have one son Alex 22, graduated college in May, raised by me since 15 months old with no ex husband, I am proud. I have been married for 6 years. None of our children live with us now. Long story short, Lacey has been diagnosed with severe depression and has been hospitilzed several times. Ron has ADHD, defiant disorder, social disorders, alcohol abuse, etc. We discovered that Lacey was molested by her brother Ron since the age of 8 (Ron was 14 when it started). We were all sworn to secrecy by Lacey not to tell anyone (for 2 years) in other words we were hostages. We recently confronted Ron about the molestation. I set up boundaries for our home, Ron is not permitted in our home, I limit attending family events and holidays because the sight of Ron makes me sick. My in-laws think I am an awful person because of my very distant behavior, they won't call my house and they speak poorly of me. My husband is very close to his parents and his parents think he should have a closer relationship with his son. My in-laws are splitters. One of the many problems I am encountering is my step-daughter is starting to hate me because of the way I treat her brother. She loves her brother in a very sick way of course. She is coming to visit next week for her birthday for 6 days. Is it worth me talking to her about how I feel and that I am really protecting her? or will she hate me more or even understand? When she comes to visit she starts the splitting and my husband omits me from their plans which hurts my feelings but on the other hand he knows I don't want to be with them anyway. It is very complicated and I can't wrap brain around that everyone (family)He thinks it is fine for them to interact. Am I in Twilight Zone? Am I off a bit? Ask me questions. I need help. I have been trying to educate my husband on sexual abuse and incest because he is frozen, he is in pain emotionally. He believes they are brother and sister, they love each other and we can't keep them apart. I am tired of directing my husband, I feel like a nag. I need serious advice. I need a little peace in my life.
Thank You

Comments

Rae's picture

Julianna, I read your post and feel your angst. This in an unbelievably difficult situation. I think if I were you, I would consult with a professional as to how to proceed. Personally, I think I would talk with her, but I would hate to take the chance that I might alienate her, or cause her more grief than she can handle.

And no, you're not in a twilight zone, or off a bit. It's a sick relationship. And I would bet both kids are very fragile and both need help.

I don't know what else to say, except hugs to you...

Whenever I think I have it hard, all I have to do is come on this board and see what others are facing.

I hope you get good answers from others....

Anne 8102's picture

It's so frustrating when people you love go through something like this and can't or won't take action to achieve true, lasting mental health. And the more you try to get them to see that they need it, the more you get sucked into it and end up in an unhealthy situation yourself. Unfortunately, these "children" are adults now and there's not a lot you can do, other than what you've done with establishing safe boundaries. Your husband, though, probably needs some counseling and the two of you probably should go together to find a way to cope with this. It's a double whammy for him, because not only does he have to live with the knowledge that his precious daughter was molested, he has to live with the knowledge that his son was the one who molested her. I don't know you even begin to wrap your mind around something like that.

Talk to your SD and let her know how you feel. If she's not in therapy, she needs to be. Ron needs to be treated, too. At some point, way down the road, maybe the whole family can come together to learn how to co-exist. But for now, I can understand the natural feeling you have to want to keep him out.

As for your in-laws, frankly, they may be the grandparents, but they have no say when it comes to how you and your husband handle issues that arise within your family. They can't be objective and probably just want to forget it all happened. If everything appears to be okay and we go on business as usual, then everything must be okay. Their heads are in the sand. You must do what you think is best for your family and don't listen to what anyone else says about it. They may have a right to their opinion, but you don't have any obligation to take orders from them.

I feel for you. I hope your family finds peace.

~ Anne ~

"Love, having no geography, knows no boundaries."
(Truman Capote)

julianna's picture

I appreciate you reading my blog and responding. I do feel a bit better. I am a pretty solid person and have strong values and convictions, so it is exceptionally difficult to sift through the dynamics of this dysfuntional family. Everyone has been in and out of therapy over the years but my in-laws have been the only ones not in therapy so they are the brake in the chain and they are the enablers they help the dysfunction continue and get worse. I thought that when their grandson molested their only grandaughter it would have made them sit up straight and do the right thing but it had the opposite reaction. The in-laws have continued the enabeling with more force than before. I need for my husband to open his eyes because everyone else has. I realize now after writing my feelings, my husband needs therapy in a very bad way because without him putting a stop to the dysfunction it will always continue. I am just tired.

Anne 8102's picture

Hang in there. You have a good head on your shoulders... trust yourself and take care of yourself. One thing, you have all of US now. We are a motley crew, sure, but sometimes it helps lots just to dump it on someone else. We take turns carrying one another's burdens here and it does feel good sometimes to let it go.

~ Anne ~

"Love, having no geography, knows no boundaries."
(Truman Capote)

julianna's picture

Thank you for your thoughts and advice. My SD has been in therapy for 10 years and my SS refuses to go because he had his fill when he was younger. Once again I am trying to direct my husband on how to get him in therapy. My husbands family is extremely dysfunctional and have a bad track record. Their daughter was molested as well when she was 8 years old and is now 43 and has been in therapy her life her fathers response was "that is what little boys do". It is pretty insane. I have been trying to separate myself from my in-laws
because I believe they are toxic, but they live down the street, I know isn't that healthy! It hurts my husband but it is the only way I can keep my own counsel and sanity. I have been in therapy for many years off and on. Probably time to go again. Venting helps tremendously. Thank you!

julesm2's picture

How did the step children affect your own son? Was that a problem or issue and about therapy, it only works if you make changes. I used to have a friend that went to therapy for years about her no good husband. She wasted time going and spending money and refused to make the necessary changes to improve her life. Long story, but very common.
How about moving away from the inlaws and making some changes. The step children are adults now and they need to find their own way in life, so I would drop it BUT you have the right to not want them or Ron in your home. They both sound creepy, and I would do my best to get out of that lifestyle and focus on other things. If your husband chooses to remain in the land of dysfunction, then you should know there's a much better world out there. You can continue to go to therapy and dwell, or you can make changes and set forward on a new path. How would your husband feel about moving far, and not giving such easy access to the steps or his parents?

stepmomblue's picture

Julianna, I"m reading your blog and the one thing that sticks out is the grandfathers statement about thats what little boys do. Hold the phone this happened to his own daughter at 8 and now his son's daughter at 8. Who was the one that molested your husbands sister, has anyone reported this to the police it's a crime and can still be taken care of by the law. This sounds as if the family has been doing this kind of child abuse for generations and it's a great big family secret. Have you told this to your therapist and did the therapist tell you to go to the police. If you haven't shared this with your therapist you should ASAP. I'm sorry for being so harsh but this is a crime against a child, no make that two children who were molested. Being molested is rape and having a close incest relationship with your rapist is very sick they all need help and I"m sorry to say this but get the hell out of there. If your SS did it to his SD has it crossed your mind that it could have been your husband or possibly a brother that did it to your sister inlaw. Any one that takes the stance that "that is what little boys do" is one sick toxic person who you don't need to be around. I know this is a place for encouragement and help but sometimes hearing the truth is the worst hardest thing to swallow take it from me, I was abused as a child by a family member and 20 plus years later they are behind bars. My mother who is still alive hates me for it but you know what I was releaved know that his person would never hurt anyone else. If your SS molested your SD then he will do it again to someone elses child, he is a pedifilal and rapist you need to put an end to this. What happens if he ever gets married and has children do you think he will be like his grandfather and father and let his own children molest each other. Girl go to your therapist today and if you have to let them take it to the police it's the law to report the molestation of a child and if your family, SD, SS and husband hate you for it then so be it the cycle of abuse must stop you don't know how long it's been going on you have seen two generations of it there could be more. Good luck.

stepmomblue's picture

julianna; been thinking about you and your ss visit how did it go everything ok, write soon, your friend charlotte