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SS driving me crazy!

Updraft88's picture

My partner's darling son is 16. He has attitude to burn, is a slob, picky eater, does poorly in school, plays Xbox nonstop and is completely spoiled. BioHo moved to another city to live with her man, leaving us to parent her kid 24/7. My biggest beef is the kid lies all the time. I know teens lie a lot, but this kid is ridiculous. My partner refuses to parent the kid, let's him do whatever he wants with almost no consequences, then gets mad if a teacher emails him saying SS didn't do his homework. Partner can call him names, argue with him, but if I do, god forbid. We have had some nasty arguments about this disruptive kid. Just last week I threatened he can leave and take his son with him. It's gotten that bad.  I'm at my wits end and would like to not feel completely alone. So I'm hoping to get some advice from you kind folks. 

Comments

Kes's picture

Many of us here have got to the point where we feel our marriages are in jeopardy due to step kids, bio mothers, or our partners' way of dealing (or rather not dealing) with them.   I just used to assume that everything SD24 said was a lie, until proved otherwise!  My DH would never know, or admit, that she lied a lot, whereas it was obvious to me. Hopefully you will feel less alone from being on the site - even if sometimes there is no solution to an issue like this, other than splitting up. 

Updraft88's picture

I'm so very glad I can come here and vent and I have support thank you so much for the reply.

Tiger7's picture

I've been on and off the site for a few years.  Lots of support here.  One thing I know - when I split with ex, all I wanted was peace.  He brought so much chaos to my life.  Ex and are actually close friends now.  Anyway, many years later when I  met my current husband, I made it crystal clear that I wouldn't let anyone disturb my peace like that ever again.  The stepdaughters have cause us angst though - especially the older one but since they never lived with us, i was able to disengage pretty easily when I needed to.  Except for the 6 months older SD lived with us with her toddler and she was pregnant with #2.   I nearly lost my mind.  She asked why they couldn't just live with us when she had the baby.  I said to her: Look at me.  There's no way you can live here permanently.  we found her an apartment soon after.  He'll deny it but i know DH wanted them to stay.  My marriage would've fallen apart if we let her stay so I tyold him that I was miserable and as long as I'm miserable, he's gonna be miserable.   LMAO.  SD still drives me crazy.

I'm sorry for what you're going thru - no one should have to live with that chaos.  I would have them both leave and see if I could maintain a relationship living apart -  but that's just me.  Life is too short.  We're here for you though

ESMOD's picture

I guess the first thing you can look at is your relationship with your SO.  Is it strong? Is it worth the struggle? Is he a good man to you?

Now, I would say as far as the last point, he has not beena great partner when dealing with his son's issues.  I mean, you are generously having him with you full time now (I'm guessing you had little choice).  And he can't do the bare miniumum to make the situation more bearable for you?

And please don't let me understand that he is angry at YOU when his son does poorly in school.

But if the relationship is worth trying to improve things.  I think you need to figure out what your hills to die on are.  What of his issues most negatively impacts you and your home life.  Start there.

It is helpful to try to phrase advice to your DH as being helpful for his son.  they need to learn manners because it will make them more successful. I'm afraid his life will be harder than necessary if he doesn't go to college etc...

Some of the issues you can simply disengage from.  Picky eater? doesn't matter if you don't have to cook for him.  If he doesn't like what is on the table? his dad tells him to go fix himself a sandwich... or bowl of ramen. 

A slob?  if it is contained to his room fine.. if it spills out.. you ask your SO to clean it up... he may see the wisdom of getting his son to learn to be more tidy if he pays the piper there.

And school... you aren't in charge of that.  If dad wants him to succeed.. he can help him and follow up... it's not your problem.

BUT.. your partner should clearly udnerstand that you won't be having a lay about 18 year old on your couch.. he is on his own at 18.

Updraft88's picture

Thank you so much for your reply. I appreciate all of the advice.. he is a good man for the most part,, we do bicker but not always about his son and sometimes I i think is it worth it ,?? I do a lot of thinking and evaluating these days ..about the sloppiness, it doesn't usually spill outside the room, but it stinks ..he has piss bottles in his room which makes it smells terrible hygienically speaking it's a nightmare every time the kid opens his door I have that weird smell come out into the hallway..it's disgusting.. schooling that's his dad and his BioHo's department. I have even tried to help the kid with one of his subjects I spent a lot of time helping him catch up with his cooking assignments for cooking class ..never got a thank you don't even know what grade he got in the class because he hides his grades from his parents.. he's a secretive and manipulative kid. I'm probably doomed lol. 

Stepdrama2020's picture

Read up on that on this site. It may become your BFF, your peacemaker, your bible.

Learn to ignore, direct SS to your DH, and pick your battles. Some are hills to die on,  others are bite your tongue worthy. Only you can decide what those are.

Communicate, communicate, and communicate with your partner as what you expect for a blissful home. Build your boundaries and stick to them. Do net let DH change them when it suits him. If you want to call lil Johnny names come on here and vent. WELCOME

Blessings in step life.

Updraft88's picture

Thank you for the advice and I do find it helps knowing I'm not alone. I feel very welcome here !  Oh and I have done quite a bit of tongue biting lately. It's just a chaotic house!