I'm a stepmother of 2 girls and also a bio-mom of my two sons. I have many years of experience doing this (21+). Let's try to think from the child's perspective for a sec. The stepkid doesn't even get to lay her head down on the same pillow each night. She's not sure which house she left her stuffed animal at. Even the smells are different between the two homes. If you think about it, when we as adults divorce with children, we are asking the kids to do something that we as adults would NEVER want to do ourselves -- that is, sleep at a different house every other week (or weekend, whatever the visitation is). Oh, and by the way kids, make sure you behave perfectly no matter what is happening around you! Sure, the rules are different between the two houses, but you better try to keep up, kiddo! Don't get confused, because if you forget which rules apply to which house, that new stepmother/stepfather is gonna get mad! And yes, I'm sorry the step-parent doesn't want you around. Sure, you aren't stupid, so you notice they don't like having you around, but if you "act out" about this fact, you'll get in trouble. Don't you dare act like a child -- you have to have perfect manners at all times, especially when you are with your step-parent because by the way, they don't love you unconditionally (not your fault, but you better put up with this fact). Oh, and also, remember that your real Dad or Mom might be remarried, and so you better get along with the spouse that they chose for themselves (not that you were given a choice in this). Hey parents & step-parents out there ... Can we possibly cut the kids just a little bit of slack? I'm not trying to anger anyone out there... But I've given this a LOT of thought, from the child's perspective. I've had 21 years to think about what we are doing to the children.
I've been a SM for more than
I've been a SM for more than 20 years, too. The only time I've had any success in that role was when I DID look at it from the child's perspective. Looking at it from mine (and mine alone) only created drama and heartache in my household.
Stick a fork in me... I'm done...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh2sWSVRrmo
That is what I hear in your post.
Of course we think about things from the child's perspective. But here's a little secret - kids are resilient - they can EASILY adapt to the concept of 2 houses might have 2 different sets of rules. They KNOW that what happens at Grandma's isn't allowed at home! For example.
I take issue with your post. This is a vent site - we come here when we are at our wit's end - because we know these folks here will understand. If you can't provide even a small amount of empathy for most of us - then you certainly don't have to stay.
Wow.
Wow.
No one "gets it" unless they've been there ... supermom123
What? Do you think by
What? Do you think by looking at life thru my SS's eyes I'll understand more why he STEALS, LIES, FIGHTS, SMOKES, DRINKS, SNOOPS thru my stuff and my DAUGHTERS' stuff?
Sorry lady - no matter how many times I've tried to be compassionate and super duper understanding - we get shit on by him EVERY.SINGLE.TIME.
Lucky you that your Step daughters didn't cause you so much grief that you have to put in security cameras in your house! Just because YOU won the StepMom Lottery - sure as hell doesn't mean the rest of us did.
Now please kindly step off your soap box.
Wow.
Wow.
No one "gets it" unless they've been there ... supermom123
Are our SS's related? Because
Are our SS's related?
Because I just installed my cameras and had to pay out for key lock door knobs and slide bolts on the other bedrooms to keep SS10 from stealing everyone blind and hiding it in his room.
And it's definately NOT the family situation causing my issues girl. This kid has the same stuff my two bios have. He steals everything so that no one else has what he has. Even in school. And don't get me started on the human rights violations!!!!!!!!
******
My IPOD says you are full of bullshit!
Hey. Kids dont have just 2
Hey. Kids dont have just 2 beds or 2house with 2 different rules. They also have 2 different lives. The two adults being the parents have most likely 2 different life styles and activites that they enjoy. So the kid also has to figure out who the hell they are. They didnt have a choice in this matter and they may not have a clue who they are supposed to be let alone have either 2 moms or 2 dads. Or both. So if you cant think about how the kids feel or about how hard the kid is then you should have thought about marring a guy with kids. Becuse im a kid.16 in fact and ive had a step mom since i was 8 so and i still dont have a damn clue who i am or how im supposed to be a kid and a sthe same time im basically asked to be an adult at the same time. So i know that i have cried so many nights with no clue what to do.so stop complainimg about your kids who are yours now cuz you married their dad and they didnt have say in it.and grandmas is different then having mom and dad live in 2 house and dad sleeping and living with another women. So think bout how your thinking your asking the kid to be an adult. Before you say how easy it is for the kid.
Dont forget to take in what the otherside feels
While I agree with you that
While I agree with you that looking at BOTH sides is beneficial, you will not find sympathy, or even open ears, on this site.
It is true that soem stepparents are awful, evil creatures. They HATE the fact that their spouse/SO has child(ren) from before.
It is also true that some stepkids are pretty damn awful, too. Sometimes they will do whatever it takes to estrange the stepparent, even if that means lying to authorities about abuse!
No side is "righter" than any other. Both sides can have a point.
Given how you communicate in writing, I would REALLY encourage you to focus on your education and the future you want to build for yourself instead of putting that energy in the "step" dynamic.
Stick a fork in me... I'm done...
Hi "The Other Side" -- Sorry
Hi "The Other Side" -- Sorry about the reply you got. I liked what you said. I've learned though that this site is only for the step-parents to vent. I made the same mistake that you made in thinking that another perspective might be welcome here. I am a stepmom and I think my 2 stepdaughters often felt the way you do -- they felt like they weren't sure how to act at whichever house they were at. I'm sad now that sometimes I wasn't as patient with them as I should have been -- I'm also sad that they attacked me so many times when I was the one sane voice in their crazy lives. Now that they are in college, they are beginning to tell me that they're sorry for how they treated me and that they know I wasn't the problem. They are finally beginning to see that they were really mad at their bio-parents for creating this life for them, and that they were just take it out on me. It's SO much easier to hate the step-parent instead of disliking your very own mother or father. You're 16 but you sound like you will be okay. Hang in there, please. Soon you will be out of the house and off at college, I hope! Make big goals for yourself and if money is a problem, then go out and make some money of your own. It will be a lot more fun & rewarding than crying in your room. I'm sure my step-daughters cried a lot on their pillows as well, and this makes me sad. I cried too. It's hard on both sides. But I agree with you -- we're the ADULTS, and you kiddos are probably just trying to figure it all out. I was so lucky, my parents are still together, and I'm sorry that yours aren't.
For that other step-parent who replied to tell you to focus on your education instead of these issues that you are experiencing -- well, I would tell her to do the same thing! Focus on yourself, too, and then let me know how easy it was for you to ignore what was going on around you!
I already know about ALL the replies I will get, so don't waste your time. I was just trying to relate to "The Other Side" since he or she is only 16! So please, go to someone else's comments and skip mine. This wasn't intended for anyone except the teenager who wrote in trying to find some understanding. Try to remember how you felt when you were 16.
No one "gets it" unless they've been there ... supermom123
You sound like a pretty
You sound like a pretty mature kid. Have you thought about asking your parents (all of them) to sit down together and let you talk to them about all of this? It is scary, but it is worth it. We (parents) are supposed to know it all and even though we do know A LOT more about life than you, we don't know it all honey. And our emotions cloud our good judgement at times just like every other human on this planet. If you have parents and step parents who care about you, they will do this for you. Think about an adult who would be willing to sit in on this meeting with your parents. One who will be completely unbiased (your school counselor is the best option) and go to them. Tell them that you want to have a family meeting with all of your parents to discuss what is making life hard on you. Ask to talk to them first, and then after they listen and understand, that you eventually want to include your parents. Be ready to listen as much as you talk and be ready to accept everything that is said without getting angry. COMMUNICATE! It seems difficult, but it really is not. Once you begin, you will find that it will roll out like a freight train. You will wish someday that you had just gained the courage to do so. Because if your parents care about you, which I bet they do, they will want to hear your feelings and emotions that you hide. If you need an adult to talk to, message me. You could probably provide me the insight from a stepchild's perspective and I could provide you insight from a step-parent's perspective. It is much easier to hear from a friend that is not emotionally tied up. And that is every parent's dream. A child who is willing to communicate with them instead of holding it all in and acting out because of the torment that we don't even realize they are going through.
Two rules about this communicating thing:
Do not say anything hurtful to get back at them... no matter how bad you are hurting. You will not feel better and your parents won't take what you say into account because they will see this as acting out.
Example: When I was 16 my mom was talking to yet another internet boyfriend SHE didn't even know let alone did I. She started bragging about what size bra I wore (which I was already so embarrassed and ashamed about because of abuse that I had endured which she did not know about) to him. It infuriated me and I called her a bitch. I was justified in being mad knowing what I knew and she was wrong in talking to him about this, however, all my snotty comment got me was even more emotional neglect from my mother because at that point she saw me as an ungrateful brat. I should have calmly told her that she had no right to be discussing something so personal with someone she didn't know and that it hurt my feelings. I know, now that I am an adult, that I would have probably received a much better response that way.
Tell yourself you are doing this to solve problems, not cause them, and make sure you keep that mindset or you will make a mountain out of an ant hill.
c-mom stands for convenience mom... you know, like a convenience store is a c-store. Because I have to be open for business 24/7, 365 while their "real mom" gets to pick and choose when she is a mom and I get treated like scum for my service to others.
Well honey, try being a full
Well honey, try being a full time SM and having a child hate you for no f'n reason. Walk a mile in those shoes.
I've looked at it from SS10s perspective: No one deserves my like, let alone my love. To include my Dad. I'm the King of the World.
Sometimes, you get crazy kids and there's no trying. I did.
I have been in step family life for 34 years as a SD, SM and BM.
My childhood was great. My life as a BM is great. My life as an SM is murderous hell.
And quite frankly, I really don't care what my SS10's perspective is anymore. I really don't.
And FYI: Why are YOU just calling out Step parents? What about the f'n biological parents that cause alot of the shit we deal with?
It's not the STEP PARENTS faults that the bio parents turn into chaotic, drama king/queen idiots! Certainly NOT!
It's not the STEP PARENTS faults that the ex's hate their very existence and PAS their children so badly that there's not even a chance!
What about the step parent's perspectives? Their confusion? Their unstable foundations, because no matter what they do, the BM or BF throws a wrench just to be mean? And come ON! There's no way a STEP PARENT can cut anyone slack if they are never EVEN given slack to begin with.
If you aren't here to help, and truly you are NOT helping, then go to another site where mommies can compare each other's perfect mom lives.
This is a site for most of us, at the end of our ropes, to get the feelings out. We are well aware of the dysfunctions going on, and not shit all we can do about it because of THE ORIGINAL FAMILY UNITS! TO INCLUDE THE KIDS!
******
My IPOD says you are full of bullshit!
Hey hun. How are the kids
Hey hun. How are the kids supposed to be given a chance if they are given slack?
Dont forget to take in what the otherside feels
Actually I AM a full-time SM,
Actually I AM a full-time SM, my two SD's lived with me for 8 years full-time before they left for college. I've been there. They thought they hated me, too, but now they appreciate the time I spent with them trying to help them. Believe me, I've walked a mile in all of your shoes, and I've been through things that you can't imagine being a step-mom. But like the first person "StickaFork" said, it just creates drama and heartache when the adult doesn't think about what the child is going through. I disagree -- they are not as resilient as we think they are! You can't compare going to SM's house to going to Grandma's house -- Grandma loves the child! SM doesn't ... Look, I'm okay with venting, I do it too. I'm sorry if I sounded non-empathetic, I was just adding some thoughts that seemed necessary. This was my first day on this site, and I think I'll get off this site and never come back. This feels too angry.
No one "gets it" unless they've been there ... supermom123
We ARE angry. Hence the name
We ARE angry. Hence the name "where step-parents come to vent." Exactly what was confusing to you about that???
SKIDs = Soul Killing Insanity Devices
No confusion. I have several
No confusion. I have several degrees.
No one "gets it" unless they've been there ... supermom123
So do I as a matter of fact.
So do I as a matter of fact. And I have met enough other people with advanced degrees to know that formal education does not equal common sense. Or the ability to understand that everyone does not have the same experience and background. In none of my extensive academic career have I ever come across a course entitled "Compassion for One's Fellow Man" or "Open Mind 101."
SKIDs = Soul Killing Insanity Devices
I do have common sense. And
I do have common sense. And common sense tells me that if the adults can't figure all this out -- then how the heck can we expect the CHILDREN to figure it all out?
No one "gets it" unless they've been there ... supermom123
Ummmm...its up to the
Ummmm...its up to the biological parents to figure it out first!!!!
******
My IPOD says you are full of bullshit!
YES! I told myself this for
YES! I told myself this for many years "They have 2 parents, and I don't need to be the 3rd parent" -- it's very difficult though. But you are so right. I wonder why the bio-parents don't get it?
No one "gets it" unless they've been there ... supermom123
Because they are too busy
Because they are too busy trying to "one-up" each other and win popularity contests with their children to actually consider the long-term ramifications of their actions.
SKIDs = Soul Killing Insanity Devices
Yes! Dog Person, we agree!!
Yes! Dog Person, we agree!! You hit the nail on the head. The bio-parents are trying to win the popularity contest. It's just sad that the steps have to suffer. And then in the long run, the kids suffer. They really do. If they're hiding things in a "hidey place" (like one of the writers here said) ... then maybe that child feels violated too? Maybe that child needs a hidey place! That's all I was trying to say. But you are right dog-person, I agree with you.
No one "gets it" unless they've been there ... supermom123
Very glad that we could find
Very glad that we could find some common ground. Sorry that you got jumped on. Some history may help put it in perspective. There have been many posters who have come on - undoubtedly with good intentions - and their first post came across as a bit of a lecture. Frankly, that has never gone over well - particularly among those of us who have been here in various incarnations for a long time. It puts us on edge and makes us rather defensive as we consider this a "safe spot." For many of us, it is the only such spot we have as we have few "real life" sources of support.
However, many of the posters who initially incurred wrath have now become valuable members and frequent well-respected posters. I hope that you stick around and see what we are about. There are some lovely people here and, while we occasionally bite, for the most part it is a very supportive place.
SKIDs = Soul Killing Insanity Devices
Oh that was me. Let me
Oh that was me. Let me explain about the hidey place.
SS10 does not have a BM that is in his life. She booked when he was a baby.
The child was coddled, spoiled and literally handed the reins to control and
dictate his life, my inlaws lives and my husband's.
Simply put he doesn't NEED a hidey place, he just doesn't want my two bio sons
to have anything special.
Read my blogs. SS10's most recent stunt was to give himself a black eye because
his cousin got one and SS10 couldn't stand the cousin having something special
because in SS10s 'perspective' He's a special boy, he's the only special boy in the world.
No other child deserves anything. They are dirt under his shoes.
This child doesn't need a hidey place. He needs to NOT have places to hide other's possessions in.
He is a compulsive thief.
******
My IPOD says you are full of bullshit!
Sorry, I stand corrected.
Sorry, I stand corrected. You're right. I'll try to read some of your blogs. I've apologized to everyone if I offended anyone!
No one "gets it" unless they've been there ... supermom123
No worries, hey if we all
No worries, hey if we all weren't human beings, we wouldn't be here right?!
We'd have all the answers, everyone would get along in this world, and I'd
be out of a job!
It's okay. I'm probably in a very unique situation that even a shrink has
a hard time dealing with. Who is truly equipped for kids like my SS?
We've run the gammot girl of maybes, what ifs, AH HAs! Etc.....
******
My IPOD says you are full of bullshit!
thanks.
thanks.
No one "gets it" unless they've been there ... supermom123
How about because they are
How about because they are not supposed to figure it out? They are children and are supposed to be guided and told what is appropriate behavior and what it not. The problem arises when they have conflicting messages about this from the adults in their lives and naturally gravitate to the persons who will coddle them and give in to their tantrums. How this will turn them into the good people that it is our basic obligation to at least TRY to help them become is beyond me. But what do I know? I am just the step-mother with an objective perspective - not the parents who want to ensure that their offspring never feel one moment of discomfort or delayed gratification.
SKIDs = Soul Killing Insanity Devices
True that!
True that!
******
My IPOD says you are full of bullshit!
I respect educated people
I respect educated people greatly, I respect educated people with common sense even more so. What I find really hard to swallow is that I believe a lot of us have recalled our own teenage anxt, looked at things from every angle and still have psychotic SKids. It's a bit much to ask anyone, except maybe another sociopath, to empathize with SD now 18. SD 18 has been in the juvenile justice system since age 13, right up until past 18; she was doing a two year sentence for felony assault on the infirm, assault on a police officer and resisting arrest.
SD is now an erotic dancer, doing drugs and hanging with dealers and pimps.
We, by we I mean the entire local justice system and DH and I, have explored every avenue there is to put SD back on track.
Please, do not suggest empathy with SKids again where I can read it.
I forgive but I am damned if I'll forget!
Sounds awful. Sorry. I
Sounds awful. Sorry. I stand corrected.
No one "gets it" unless they've been there ... supermom123