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I feel so alone and angry...

lioness's picture

I sometimes regret having married a man with a son. There I said it. I feel guilty thinking it, writing it, feeling it, but it’s true. I love the man I married and I love our BDs more than the world itself, but I can’t help but feel that my life would be happier without the SS16 in it. I hate that I can’t accept him for who he is as much as I preach that at work. I hate that I have so much misplaced anger towards him, but he’s there and so it gets dumped on him. He’s lazy, inconsiderate, has no shame when he does something wrong, feels privileged and entitled, and I’m afraid he will never get out of the house. Aren’t all teenagers like this? Are they? Or is he at a different level that excuses my resentment towards him. That’s what always drives my anger a little more, the excuses that he is unlike other kids. More inconsiderate, more lazy, more entitled, just not typical. My anger boils over and then I say things I later regret, but I don’t say sorry. Now I’m afraid my marriage is on the line because I can’t watch my mouth. The SS called me a “stupid little kid” because I asked him why he doesn’t like cooked onions. That sounds like he went overboard, but did he if I knew I was pushing his buttons when I said it? If I knew that onions are a sensitive topic for him, but what isn’t? I can’t ask if he’s finished his homework or how his grades are because he snaps. I can’t ask what he’s doing at 6:30am at school if school starts at 9, because he snaps. Unless I talk about anime, which I hate, I have nothing to talk about. Even writing this now, makes me feel like I’m validated for being angry that he called me a stupid little kid, but honestly are you not supposed to bite the hand that feeds you? My mom would have slapped me upside the head and worse had I said something like that to her no matter what she had done. Then I blow up on him and call him a lazy little kid. I reduced myself to his level when I thought I had a right to be mad. Now my DH is mad at me. Then what gets me the most is that my DH will stop speaking to me for the usual 3 days as is typical when he’s mad at me. But what was his reaction to the SS calling me a stupid little kid? He scolded him and then sat on the couch with him laughing at a stupid movie. They talk like nothing happened. The SS didn’t apologize, didn’t say good morning the next day but then had the nerve to ask to borrow my work out gloves. What makes me angry is that he acts like everything is ok and his behavior was no big deal and now he can ask me for favors. My husband said he’s not ok with it, but he doesn’t say another word to him, yet now I’m in the dog house for blowing up with my anger and I won’t get to sit on the couch and laugh like nothing happened. Not because he wouldn’t let me, but because I feel shame and I wouldn’t allow myself to sit there. I sound like a kid. I’m 34 years old with two baby girls and I can’t find myself in my own 5 bedroom house. I can’t feel happy in my own house. I can’t just walk around my house without nearly snarling at the SS when he walks by. Because he smells, because he looks dirty, because he’s lazy, because he didn’t put something away like he was supposed to, because he talks to himself, because he laughs by himself, because he makes weird noises and faces, because…..I’ve been thinking for a long time that I need therapy or a magic pill that will change my feelings. Those exist right? I kind of wish lunatic BM was around to take him. She doesn’t care to see him. Two years into my marriage of now 5 years she went from 70% custody to 30%, seeing him every other weekend. Then she started seeing him once a month for a weekend, then for a few hours on Sundays about once a month, and now she’s in a different state. Really, he’s been with us full time for about 3 years. Poor kid, I know, and yet my feelings get the best of me. What tears at my heart is that thought of having my girls grow up in a household where their mom can’t get along with their brother. Any helpful words??

Comments

Teas83's picture

I'm sorry you feel that way. Honestly, I've had those thoughts: if I knew then what I know now (about being a SM), I never would have married my husband. In my situation it's because the BM is constantly in my face and she's slowly been turning my SD against me.

I think I would prefer to have my SD6 full time and have the BM out of the picture, like you. But if you don't have any authority in your own home and the people you live with don't respect you, I can see why you don't like having your SS full time.

If I were you, I would focus on my biological children. Make sure that they don't turn out like your SS. Make sure that they are happy. I get so much joy from my own little girl that spending time with her makes my problems with SD's BM seem unimportant.

almost.ready's picture

I'd say put your foot down. Turn the tables. If this is how DH treats you now, he will continue to do this until YOU teach him how to treat you. It will take time but you will get there.

You mention being happy with your daughters. That is YOUR RIGHT. You have the right to be HAPPY. Honestly, think about it. Is this the way you see yourself for the next 3, 5, even 10 years?

almost.ready's picture

And by no means am I telling you to end your marriage. I am just saying it is worth you fighting for your respect.

SMto3's picture

This may sound cliche but I believe it to be true: People only treat you how you allow them to treat you. SS16 called you a "stupid little kid". IMO DH should have tore him a new one for that. I can relate to the issue of a parent who punishes halfway, my SO has been guilty of this. But you have to talk to DH and let him know that him watching a funny move with SS will now allow SS to see that what he did was wrong. There has to be a consistent and more severe punishment than that. SS16 has to learn that calling adults "stupid little kids" is not okay, especially when that adult is one who provides for him.When he asked you to borrow your workout gloves, you can let him know that no, you are not going to lend him your workout gloves because you're still disappointed in him over how he treated you. Until you get over it, then he can feel like he can ask you for something. And again, your DH has to be on board with all of this and you guys have to be on the same page and present a united front. Otherwise, it looks like you're the one who can't get over it. (((HUGS))) and update us on what happened so that we can all learn from each others' situations.

Aeron's picture

Onions are a sensitive topic? Okie.... DH gives you the silent treatment when he's mad?

I would seriously suggest thinking about disengagement. SS wants to be a pill to you... DH doesn't want to stand up for you... Sounds like you need to leave the care and keeping of SS to DH. Don't ask him anything. Don't do him any favors. Questions should all be referred to his father. Favors from you should be denied. Your stuff is not available to him. Rides, money, permission - Ask your father.

If it directly affects your children step in. If it is direct disrespect to you speak up. Otherwise give what you get. If he speaks pleasantly, have a pleasant conversation. If he's being a pill, ignore him. If he ignores you, ignore him. Ad if DH wants to go the silent treatment route, stop doing for him too. When he notices, suggest therapy for the two of you.

lioness's picture

Thank you for your supportive words. I feel a little less crazy. I have made an appointment with an MFT for my own anger issues to help me calm down when these things happen and to try and make sure I'm doing all I can to make things work. I did talk to DH and told him that sitting on the couch afterwards was not ok, more over, he should have stopped him in his tracks before letting SS run his mouth the way he did. He claims to have had a serious talk with him after I left the room, but I told him that was not enough and talking his ear off is not the same as denying privileges, which is much more effective at getting a point across. I did deny the glove use and I will not be giving him rides or (trying) to care about how he is doing in school. I have been given the advice of deferring to DH for all problems before, but I've had problems with that in the past 1) because I'm a control freak, 2) because education is so important to me, and 3) because DH doesn't always see the same things as "problems" until no one does anything about it. I have saved SS's butt from having failing grades on his transcript and have made sure he's gotten counseling and all of the academic support he needs to be successful. But I will do my best to sit back and let the ball roll as it may. If they both fall flat on their faces, so be it. I am still not on speaking terms with SS. I promised DH I would have a talk with SS about how his words were inappropriate, hurtful, and disrespectful, yadda yadda, but I'm not ready. I can't even be in the same room with him without seeing the fumes come out of my nose. So, until I can sit and look at him in order to have a conversation, I will move about as if he's not there.