Neverending lies
I once thought I had a great relationship with my SD up until I found out she was berating and downplaying me to her mother. When she first started living with us I empathized with her and figured how her mother raised her poorly based on her behavioral problems and the stories my SD and husband would share with me. She berated her own mother constantly up until I kept reminding her that woman is still her mother and needs to respect her. I tried to have a mutual relationship with her mother for the sake of the child but it ended when she would berate my husband to me (her ex).
Her mother lived with her new husband in a different country and would only visit once or twice a year. They would speak on the phone or FaceTime 4 or 5 days a week. Her new husband recently died from plenty of illnesses including HIV. Is the mother considering on moving back closer to her only daughter? No. During those visits and phone conversations there was a lot of manipulation going on. The mother is a master manipulator and would have adult like conversations with this child. Living with us she's a child, plays like a child, and sounds like a child. With her mother she's a gossiping, tale telling, girl who sounds like a teenage. Her mother even promotes her disrespecting us. SD lies pointlessly and downplays her father and me. It's sickening how SD will bold face lie to us while looking us straight In the eye.
After having a heart to heart conversation and constantly teaching her right from wrong she does the same thing over once she has alone time with her mother or mother's family. I have proof of this and this is not an assumption. I am really fed up with the drama and lies and I can not continue to live in my own home walking on eggshells and not having any trust for another member in my home.
How do I move forward with this without all this anger in my heart? I feel deceived and my husband is so passive with it all. How do I even treat SD? I don't even feel comfortable around her at all anymore... yet alone my own home.
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She's not a sociopath. She's
She's not a sociopath. She's a kid trying to please her mother, and her mother wants her to hate you, so she obliges. Don't take it personally.
I figured this. But the lies
I figured this. But the lies are getting really bad. SD literally makes up stories about me. I just wish it would end and she will learn morality, loyalty, and respect.
How old is she? This is very
How old is she? This is very common, and probably not an indication of pathology. I know it really sucks, but the best thing to do, in my experience, is to let SD know in an age-appropriate way how much it hurts you when you find out that she's been lying about you. And then don't go out of your way to find out what she does or says in the future. It will only cause heartache and resentment for you to know.
I always had a very loving relationship with my SDs, from the time that they were 2 and 4. Then they hit their pre-teen years and the lies they told about me to their mom were outrageous. It was one of the most painful experiences of my life. Eventually I just came to accept that they were doing what they had to do to "survive" emotionally with BM. She punished them by withdrawing and being cold towards them if they said nice things about me. If they badmouthed me, they were rewarded with affection and material things. All of this was openly admitted to in therapy. Of course a child is going to take the path of least resistance to earn favor with their parents.
Over the past few years I've just taken my relationship with them at face value - we're happy and have a good time together, it's all good. And I try not to think about what they say to BM. I also started limiting what I tell them as far as sharing anything deeply personal. It's made everything a lot easier on me.
SD is 11. After hearing what
SD is 11. After hearing what i heard i told myself i don't want to know anymore thats being said going forward. It's heartbreaking. Recently i havent been spending alone time with SD and just leaving all the parenting to her father.
"SD, I know you have lied
"SD, I know you have lied about me to your mother, and I don't appreciate it. I'm very disappointed in you."
Then you disengage and don't spend any time with her alone. When she lies, call her out on it nonchalantly. Put everything on Dad to handle.
Your SD's mother is poisoning her, and your DH needs to step up and put an end to it. If he won't, there isn't anything you can do - or should do if she is spreading lies about you.
I'd also consider putting some nanny cams up around the house so you have proof of what happens and what is said.
This is exactly what I did!
This is exactly what I did! She then cried to ger father telling him that everyone thinks she's a liar and no one believes her when we have a recording of her and know the truth. I was the only one that listened to the recording and just shared the details with her dad.
I've been very disengaged lately. It feels wrong but right at the same time.
Your DH needs to confront
Your DH needs to confront this hard and fast. He needs to inform BM in no uncertain terms that pushing her to lie and gossip stops. Whether that be a strongly worded letter from an attorney, him telling her to knock it off, him sitting in on their conversations - doesn't matter. Once BM crossed over into blantantly damaging SD and causing her to act inappropriately, this morphed into your DH needing to take action.
Your SD is 11. She has anywhere from 7 years to another decade of needing parented by her dad. He cannot let this go.
I wish that worked with
I wish that worked with alienating parents. They just say, "Who me?"
If you accept her lying
And she thing she can get away with it, she will be lying to everybody. What going to make her look bad in her normal interaction with Other people. This is going to make hrr unpleasantly to other people like her teachers, future bosses, her friends.
That why you or DH must come frown on her. To stop this. It's called parenting.
Disengage completely! If your
Disengage completely! If your H is not shutting down this behavior and wants to be passive about it he can have fun raising her. I'd do absolutely nothing for her and wouldn't feel bad about it either. If your such a sh!tty SM than allow your H to do it ALL. Be cordial but other than that I'd do my own thing and whatever she and BM do is of no concern or relevance.
If you don't give her attention, SD won't have the power to get under your skin. Treat her accordingly.