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Learning from my past mistakes

Wicked stepmo.'s picture

YSD has been deteriorating drastically over the last month. I had my suspicions by the way she was acting that OSD has been manipulating her.

OSD doesn't have anyone left because all her friends have abandoned her. Which is what happens when you have a personality disorder. They are older now and can see how she is toxic and they have stopped speaking with her. 

So she is now working on bonding with YSD who is very easily manipulated and younger. When YSD talks she is literally repeating what OSD would say. It has even come out that her "issues" with me are issues I had when OSD lived here. 

YSD only keeps bringing up things that happened between YSD and myself or her father as reasons for why she is angry with us and being disrespectful as if they happened her.

She is clueless that she is being used by her sister because her sister is angry that I still had a decent relationship with YSD and would do things with her and for her. 

YSD has no idea that when OSD pulled the same nonsense I made her eat her words. Basically said if you want to be grown, i will treat you like you are grown and have stuck by my word for the last year. She wants or needs anything as a grown up she can figure out how to get it. Plus as she reminded me often I am not her parent. So I wouldn't want to offend her by doing anything that a parent would do. 

YSD got her first taste of the consequences of her words and actions last night. She sent me a long text informing me that as a 13 year old adult,  she is going to live her life as she pleases and her father and I need to accept that otherwise she will only get angry with us and she doesn't let go of her anger very easily.

My I ly response to her was I don't know why she is sending that to me I'm not her parent and could care less if she wants to make bad decisions. She needs to have those conversations with her parents. 

Apparently by her response she was butthurt by my reaction. Unfortunately she hasn't seen anything yet. She forgets she asked for me to buy her sneakers for bday and to take her out. 

When she reminds me of this which she will, I am going to have to inform her that doing so would be something a parent would do and I wouldn't want to upset her by trying to act like her parent. 

She wants to go skiing and up north I am going with DS. When she asks to go I am going to inform her she absolutely can go whenever she wants. After all she is an adult now but she is going to have to make her own plans and arrangements because me doing so would be treating her like a baby and I wouldn't want to upset her. 

SO is aware of all of this and says he is completely supportive. He is so angry with her right now because she purposely stayed up all night because she plans on sleeping all day and skipping school to show him he can't tell her what to do.

 

Comments

tog redux's picture

So does he plan to give her some consequences? I'm sure he is all for you being the one to do that, but he needs to put his 13 yo "adult" in her place. I'm sure if your kids talked to you that way, they'd regret it. 

justmakingthebest's picture

Ahhh yes, the I am 13 and a "grown a$$ adult" text. Those are cute aren't they. 

I feel your pain. Teenagers are the worst in general but when they have influences like that they are just insufferable. I think you are right to disengage and let her dad take care of it. I mean, you shouldn't have to do anything for her anyway, she is an "adult" after all. 

halo1998's picture

I hate then they get all "I'm Grown"....mmhmmm..sure ya are.  I will be "mad" if you don't do what I want.  Ok there "grown"...that is not how this works.

I'm with you on the ..oh you grown...then you get to do "grown" things..like laundry, scheduling, etc

I agree with Tog..though your DH needs to put her in her place.    This was the exact reason I told both mine..I"m not your friend...I'm your parent.  I will decide things that you will NOT like..that is why I am not your friend.

advice.only2's picture

13 and a "grown adult" these kids kill me, sure little girl here is your rent + utilities that's due by the end of the month, and no you don't have to attend school anymore because you need to get a JOB to start paying them bills.

thiscantbenormal's picture

This must be in the I'm influenced by a personality disordered person alienated kid handbook.

And stuff like this makes we want to toss a kids phone.

Such big words hiding behind a phone screen.

Psychotic SS did the whole I'm an adult thing verbally.  Disturbed SD started back talking around 10 and you could tell she was parroting and projecting BM's emotions against DH.

Wicked stepmo.'s picture

Unfortunately no he will not. SO has now convinced himself this new counselor will have a magic wand to wave and make SKs all better.

I am just waiting for him to find out he is going to hear the exact same thing from this counselor as he did from the last counselor and from me.

Which is? Well how do you address X behavior and what consequences do you give?  What kind of limits and rules have you set? How do you enforce those rules? 

SO will be in shock and awe to fimd out once again that he has to actually do the work and as always nothing will change. 

Me on the other hand have made it abundantly clear where I stand with SKs and I am not going to be the one to give in. SO says he supports me 100% on my disengagement and he will not be upset that SKs will be excluded from any plans I make.

I have also informed him that if or when SKs flunk out of school or quit school, they are no longer allowed to live under my roof. I will not support a deadbeat. I realize this is 3 years away. But I like to make my intentions known up front so if SO has an issue with it he knows where the door is. 

Survivingstephell's picture

Strip her room.  Since she didn't buy it, she can start anew with the things she does pay for.  Some harsh logical consequences are called for IMO.  Twist her words back into her.  Hand her the shovel and watch her dig her own hole.   
 

It's so freeing to live and not give a damn about a skid.  Enjoy it. I think the only lesson a step parent can teach is how to treat them.  So many just give in , worn out by the stress or a partner.  Reclaiming your adult position in the home is needed here. 

Survivingstephell's picture

Strip her room.  Since she didn't buy it, she can start anew with the things she does pay for.  Some harsh logical consequences are called for IMO.  Twist her words back into her.  Hand her the shovel and watch her dig her own hole.   
 

It's so freeing to live and not give a damn about a skid.  Enjoy it. I think the only lesson a step parent can teach is how to treat them.  So many just give in , worn out by the stress or a partner.  Reclaiming your adult position in the home is needed here.