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'secret' means nothing to SD16

LoveMyPets's picture

My SD16 came into our lives this spring, she moved in at age 15, a week after having an abortion and nothing but her clothes on her back and her school bag. We have no parenting experience and wasn't sure quite how to handle it. We wanted to help her as much as we could.
Now we're facing issues and don't know how to handle them. She doesn't shower, doesn't brush her teeth, doesn't flush the toilet, doesn't wash her hands, she 'washes' her hair daily but doesn't do a good job so its pretty scruffy looking. She fibs and tells us exactly what we want to hear when we talk to her about stuff. She uses and started hoarding my deodorant, and razors which really upset me. We try to be nice but its not working.
Very recently I found out I was pregnant. We shared the news with her cause she was home the evening I found out, and she understood it was top secret and why, I was only 4 weeks. At week 5 I had an ultrasound to confirm what week I was, and they informed me there was very high chances of miscarriage. Within 5 or 6 days, it was gone. It all happened so fast.
She was extremely upset about the pregnancy, cried for days about it, and I guess she called random family members crying about me being pregnant. So now word is going around our little town that I'm expecting, people have congratulated my mother inlaw at work, and I'm in one big emotional mess. We're all mad at her, I spent more time consoling her then thinking about being pregnant, or the fact that I was going to loose the baby so soon. I've been nothing but nice, caring, supportive with her through it all, and I feel like I'm at the end of my rope.
And to make matters worse, my husband now has full custody, so I'm not sure of our legal rights if she runs away. Does anyone have any advice on how I deal with this kid?

StickAFork's picture

I'm so sorry about your baby. A miscarriage is a very difficult thing to endure.
It's even worse when the news is "out" there that you're expecting.

How is it that you and DH (mostly DH) had "no parenting experience" when his daughter was fifteen when she came to live with you? Was he an absentee father all those years?

She is now your DH's responsiblity. If she runs away, he will be the one who needs to deal with that. Also, in many states, he can be charged and fined if she doesn't regularly attend school.

LoveMyPets's picture

Thanks for the kind messages. DH was absent from her life from age 5, not by choice.
His fight lasted many years, her BM left her with her grandparents, who told her that her father was in jail. He always paid child support, but backed off from the fight. He knew in his heart he would get his chance to be her Dad, he just had to have patience.

StepDoormat's picture

I am so sorry about your loss. And, I am so sorry that its being made worse by this child.

Does your DH *want* her living with you? I'm sorry... I couldn't just have some random kid living with me after 15 years of non-involvment. Especially one that doesn't shower. You and DH might need to have a serious conversation about whether this was a good idea.

LoveMyPets's picture

Wow, StepDoormat, that's harsh and I like it. My heart gets in the way of my logical thinking, I feel bad for the kid and can't even raise my voice to her. But it is getting closer. All the grief she's caused since I said the word 'pregnant' has brought DH and I closer together. We feel like a real team and I'm so glad. And he supports me no matter what I do, or say. He's my rock.