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from stepmonster to caregiver?

thatchic2324's picture

So when I met my husband 6 years ago, right off the bat, I offered to help watch his 2 kids (then 4 &8) along with my son who was also 4 during the summer so that his ex and him could work without paying childcare. That summer began fine and ended in psycho, let's just call her Sybil. When I met my Hub we had different parenting styles, meaning I had one and he didn't. He, and his now ex, let the kids run the show. They had a "give 'em what they want so they shut up quickly" kind of attitude. I, on the other hand am quite old fashioned. I expect dinners together as a family, decent grades, personal hygeine and respect for yourself and others... things of that nature. I'm not too harsh, I know how to have fun, when it's deserved. No, I will not buy you a bunch of new crap simply because you think you're an awesome, special, little snowflake. However harsh my husbands family thinks that is, it is my choice as a parent and they can.. well... suck it.

So here we are 6 years later and my husband has come around (seeing the differnce in the children with a little structure and discipline as opposed to without) and I'm still caring for my stepdaughter. Stepson refuses to come over anymore bc I "cause too much drama" (you know, with all that "pick up your own crap and please don't talk to me like one of your buddies on the ball feild")

Anyway, last January, Sybil was getting evicted AGAIN (3rd in 4 years) and the kids would have to start a new district, again. So I agreed to let my stepdaughter be here in the morning, get on the bus, then off the bus in the afternoon til her mother got here after work. Well, that quickly turned into that, plus half days, plus snow days and sick days and til whatever the hell time Sybil decided to get there after tanning/shopping/etc. I was totally and completely being taken advantage of because, according to her and my inlaws "i don't have a "real" job and it was a package deal when I got married to him and shouldn't have married him if I didn't want to care for his children". What a crock of Sugar Honey Iced Tea!!

Sorry so long but here's my dilemma. The agreement for this school year was that she had 4 months to move into the district. It's been 6 and there are still another 3 til school starts and she's still refusing to move and I'm being pressured to care for my stepdaughter again this coming school year and honestly, I just don't want to. Not to mention that she hates me and starts arguements constantly and the fact that Sybil still won't speak to me directly. It's a ridiculous scenerio where she calls my hubs, he calls me and asks me or tells me whatever she wants, then calls her back with an answer. Totally assenine.

So what do you suggest fellow stepmonsters? I really don't want to continue this circus again this year. But I do understand how changing schools AGAIN would negatively effect my stepdaughter (as much as she irritates the hell out of me). HELP!!! PLEASE!!!

Comments

VioletsareBlue's picture

Just say no and tell Sybil to take her daughter to daycare or move into the district. Tell your husband you aren't a babysitter, his kid, his problem. He can figure it out.
I hate that shit about how we just have to take it and forget about ourselves and our happiness because everyone thinks its suddenly our responsibility because we got married.

TASHA1983's picture

I agree with the above 2 posters...you are not a glorified babysitter to these children and their DB mother...if her and your inlaws are going to bad mouth you like that then THEY can watch THEIR OWN FLESH AND BLOOD and leave you the f*** alone!!

You are not obligated to do ANYTHING FOR OR WITH THESE CHILDREN the things us sm's do for our skids SHOULD BE because we CHOOSE to...we should never be expected or demanded to do anything for them!!!

If we do not expect or demand our SO's to do the shit they and bm's want/expect us to do for our own kids then they can also do the same for us....PERIOD!!!

Dont be a doormat to this ungrateful c*** and her b****daughter!!!!PERIOD!!!!

oneoffour's picture

Anything I did and do for my s/sons is because I WANT to not because I jumped on the Familial Guilt Trip Train. Same applies to you. Either she starts paying you the going rate or she will have to find another way to take care of her own daughter. The other option would be to hand over full custody to her ex (your DH) if she is unable to arrange her own childcare.

As for your in-laws, tell them they are welcome to take care of their grand daughter after school every day anytime they want to arrange it. Which will include days when her mother decides to go shopping or tanning or turns up 2 hrs later than agreed so she can hang out wiht her friends. After all, this is their blood relative and surely their right to take care of her is greater than yours, a mere stepmother.

Purplemom's picture

I have taken the advice of many a STALKER and started using the phrase "That doesn't work for me" (On The Wasband though, not FDH- yet) and that has worked wonders. Maybe give that a try Smile