I have been trying hard to establish a strong family unit with my partner, stepchild, and now a biological child. However, my partner is consumed with the notion that other blended families work with ease and that ours does not - it is sometimes all about him and how it affects him. I have tried to express how difficult this transition has been for me but it doesn't seem to get through.

I have such different feelings towards my 11 year old stepdaughter compared to my biological 10 month old and I can't ever see that changing. My stepchild is not very likable - as my extended family, my friends and his friends keep reminding me - living with her constant desire to be centre of attention is wearing me down. The manipulations that my partner seems oblivious to drive me insane - at times she can be an absolute cow and the diagnosis of ADHD has only served to provide an excuse for her poor and at times very disrespectful behaviour.

My biggest fear is the impact she will have on my daughter - I don't want the stepchild's example to be the one my child will emulate. Boundaries are so flexible with a dad guilty over a situation he had no hand in causing (the ex cheated) - I just know that she will be the end of us if things don't change.

AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!