I always thought if DH got custody things might be better. I thought we could help SD. I thought if I raised her and treated her just as I have raised and treated DD7, that she would be happy and healthy. Just like DD7. Clearly, this has not been the case. I met SD when she was 3. DH and I married when she was 4. Her BM is completely insane. Documented on paper. BM is the classic "Crazy BM" She is very manipulative, hostile, angry, jealous, resentful, criminal. use(ed) PAS, and is just a really bad person and parent in general.

Tuesday was BS's 4th birthday. He had gifts and a special Camo cake DH decorated. BS patiently waited all day to open his gifts and have his cake until DH got home that evening, around 630ish or so. So, DH finally gets home and and we go into our kitchen to sing Happy Birthday and watch BS open gifts. Everyone is excited to watch him open his gifts because he has the funniest comments.. Of course SD11 is hovering and DH tells her to back up a bit so we can see.

So, a couple days ago I wrote about how SD11 keeps trying to take over my shelf in the shower (when she has her own) From all the responses I've read, I think we all agree that she is doing it for one of two reasons.
1. She wants to irritate me/Get under my skin.
2. She is trying to take claim on my territory.

I've always known that being a step parent was a choice. A "thankless job" as some people say. I've always known that I have no "rights" but fuckin eh, I'm tired of it!!!

I'm tired of taking SD11 to therapy and feeling like I'm being judged when the counselor comes out to the waiting room to take SD back to her office. I'm tired of doing all the dirty work with zero appreciation. I know many women and some men on this site are all too familiar with what I'm complaining about. I know. But still, it hurts and I'm tired of it!!!