Where is BM in all of this? What is she and your husband doing to help this child? First of all, she doesn't sound too strange up until you mentioned scratching her own face until it bled. The other things seem like standard behaviour of an eccentric 5 year old. Yeah, she sounds odd, but what 5 year old isn't a bit weird? I like people watching as an adult lol it's interesting to see what people do when they don't realize you're looking But a 5 year old doesn't realize you're not supposed to tell people you're watching lol.

It sounds like you're worried about nothing. Aside from scratching her own face, which by the way, we need a bit more backstory on, it all sounds pretty normal. Why did she scratch her face? Are you sure it was on purpose? Also... What whippings are you referring to? And why doesn't she seem to feel pain? Who is hitting her enough that she's become numb to it?! She's 5... What 5 year old needs to be hit for any reason. Can her parents not actually parent her so they resort to "whipping"?

Whatever her problems may be, I am sure that "whipping" her is not going to be any help and is probably contributing to her issues. Surely her psychiatrist does not condone "whipping" as a form of discipline. If he or she does, I would get a different one.

OMG, a 5 year old girl on meds for ADHD, outrageously irresponsible IMHO. Going back to reading ..

EDIT to add: I finished reading the post. My first take-away is that this poor child is surrounded by adults who do not have the child's best needs at heart.

Ever considered testing her for glutton intolerance.... this cause kids to be diagnosed as hyper active..

for the other stuff, if she says I rather watch you - DH replies, no you are not go and play now...

I would think her "psychiatrist" would know that seem ADHD meds seriously decrease appetite.

Go ahead and print out your blog original post and be sure to show it to Child Services when they come knocking at your door.

I wish this child all the best...she's going to need it.

Where is you daughter's father?

If he is a decent dad, if he learns about the issues your SD has, he will take steps to have custody changed. "Fixing" SD should take a backseat to ensuring that your daughter in in a safe home.

I feel for you Miss. I have an SD17 with what I feel are major psychological issues as well. The BM has been "sort of" diagnosed with Bipolar disorder (cant get a straight answer, not pursuing it at this time, there are more important things to address), and takes medications like Xanax, and smokes a lot of weed, and drinks excessively to blackout state. SD17, who doesn't drink, or smoke anything, also has been given medications all over the place for various issues - her mother gave her her own meds and they ended up in ER.

SD17 has been punching the BMs boyfriend, lying, stealing, and is generally rude and has a huge temper. One time, she was caught in a lie, and she started screaming and shouting uncontrollably. But I am disengaged now, pretty much, and it doesn't affect me as it once did. I hope that your DH is worth all this stress and trauma that you and your daughter (and cat!) are going through. It sounds like it COULD possibly be over medicating. I wonder if it is worth YOU and your DAUGHTER, and CAT finding out, and going through all the discovery to "cure" this child. I'm all for being empathetic, but injuring animals is where I draw the line.

Also what the posters here are saying, seems pretty on the level. If there is ANY risk to YOUR child, whatsoever, I have a feeling it would not go well for you. I'm sorry to read of your departed husband, being lost to a war. That means your little one is doubly dependent on her parent being there.

The child, as she is only 5, there are many years ahead of this kind of thing. She does indeed sound troubled, and it does indeed sound worth investigating. But seriously - ask yourself - is it worth it to you, in the long run?

Just for the record it's not uncommon for southerners to use whoopin/whippin to describe a spanking with hand, spoon, flip flop, or whatever you've got next to you. So don't automatically jump down someone's throat for the vernacular they are using.

I'm just trying to piece the situation together. Before you met your then-2 year old SD, you were told she was mean and hyper. Since then, her bad behaviour has escalated. Your DH has whipped her (anything from one smack as part of how he disciplines to regular full-on beatings, not clear on that) and she does not act as though it bothers her. Now, at age 5, she tries to keep weapons near her when she's sleeping. She seeks to be physically close to you and DH and to earn your DH's approval. She is taking medication that suppresses her appetite and damps down her emotions and creativity.

Honestly, she needs a ton of intervention that it doesn't seem you nor your DH are interested or able to do. You guys get 96 hours per month to create a positive, loving, supporting relationship with this girl, which should include discipline - that's parenting for you - but instead it seems like you just make things worse, physically trying to hurt her, isolating her, excluding her, not wanting her around, making her into the family 'monster'. Wouldn't everyone be better off if your DH stopped bringing her around?

I'm sorry to hear about all your troubles. Your SD sounds very troubled.

Question for you; is BM involved with or living with a man? If so, what is he like? Some of this child's behavior could be a result of abuse by BM and/or someone she is involved with. Some children become withdrawn when abused and some children act out like your SD.

Has anyone called CPS on the bio-mom?