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SD is miserable all the time

23lee's picture

I need advice.  So my soon to be 16yr old SD is making her dad and me miserable.  SD lost her BM in 2019.  Her BM groomed her children to manipulate, hate and also spy on my husband and me. Luckily SS matured and realized we are good people. But not my SD.  So now we have her full time and she's obviously at a difficult age on top of losing her mom and best friend. She is in therapy and we give support at home.  But she started going to parties, doing things she shouldn't and her grades tanked, plus she was extremely disrespectful.   We still have to parent, so we took away her privligaes, she didn't care, her grades went down.  We try to do fun things with her since she's grounded from going out, but she just sits there with a frown on her face and I feel like/I know she's judging everything we do or say so she can use it against us later.  For example, if we comment on when she improves in a class, she will tell her friends and moms side of the family we only love her if she has good grades, but we don't really care about her.  So anything we say may come back to bite us later.  She spies on us, she walks around with this look of disgust, sadness, anger and resentment all in one. It makes being around her miserable.  My husband actually said he's scared of her and doesn't want to be around her.  I feel I have tried everything.  I know she's hurting and we are her easiest targets, so I feel nothing we say or do will help, it will just fuel her anger.  I'm wondering if it's bad to distance ourselves for awhile? I know I can't and won't but I almost just want to give in and say, you know what do what you want I don't care anymore.  You want to party, flunk classes and be a miserable person then go for it.  But at 18 good luck figuring out how to pay for yourself bc we aren't supporting an entitled person. Also like her BM she is very much the victim mentality.  We live in a nice, beautiful clean home.  I would have done anything to grow up like this when I was a kid.  But listening to her you would think we are these raging alcoholics who fight all the time. When my husband and I have disagreements we go to the basement to avoid the kids hearing. It's not often, it's usually about parenting styles and we aren't like crazy people fighting.  It's normal.   Found out she sits at the top of the stairs to listen in.  So she can exaggerate the situation to everyone she knows.   We like to have wine and cook together at night.  SD turns this into something it's not to get attention from her family and friends.  It's so embarrassing.  She says things like 'I'm scared at home bc my parents drink and it's why I go to my friends house.'  Yes your parents listening to music, making dinner together while having wine is sooo scary.  Beyond ridiculous or remote to the truth.  She doesn't like it here bc we won't let her and her friends drink and her friends parents let her.  I also know they let them drive around until 1:30a.m. Which we would never allow.  I can't even have a glass of wine without feeling like I'm doing something wrong.  Like she's the parent and I have to sneak it . Ugh, I know this is a long vent but what do I do with a depressed, manipulative, brainwashed, hateful, sad, entitled, angry, stubborn, disrespectful, lying teenager who spies on me? 

Comments

justmakingthebest's picture

Yikes!

You are in the most difficult position that a step parent could ever find themselves in! I really have no words of advice, because you have done everything that I would have tried. My heart goes out to you. There is grace that needs to be given to her in dealing with her loss, but there is also parenting that needs to be done because she is going down a slippery slope.

Survivingstephell's picture

Wow. I'm amazed at how that loyalty bond is still there.  I bet she feels like she would betray her mother's memory if she drops "the war".   I think DH And you need to find a therapist to work with.    

ESMOD's picture

Like JMTB said.. YIKES.

I guess I might suggest boarding school.. preferrably a military one.

The girl was PAS'ed by her mom.. then mom dies.. leaving her with people she trained her to hate.

I also have the suggestion of putting her friend's parent's on notice that you understand they are providing alcohol to minors.. and you will ensure the police are aware of this.

 

lieutenant_dad's picture

I think there are two approaches to take here. First is to ask her therapist (or a family therapist if her therapist won't help) what is the appropriate response in these situations. Letting the therapist know what SD is doing while getting guidance from them on how to respond sounds like the best first step.

The second thing you can do is get nanny cams and set them up in common areas of the house. I know people don't like doing this, but if there is a legitimate fear that she may accuse you all of something, it would be good to have proof otherwise. I wouldn't change how you live your life - there's nothing wrong with a glass of wine at dinner. But if it gives you peace of mind, get some cameras. 

justmakingthebest's picture

We got cameras when my SS started making vauge accusations. I will NOT be a prisioner in my home and be ruled in fear by a teenager. All accusations stopped when he was told that he was being watched. 

CLove's picture

Firstly - you cant think she will launch properly at 18, especially with the way shes going right now. So put that off the table. Perhaps she will go live with one of her mothers family, but I just dont think she will be able to support herself at that age. 

All those parenting things you are doing - thats totally and utterly necessary, she NEEDS these things to happen, or she will get much worse. And end up pregnant. And living off you and DH.

Secondly - she needs a good therapist, and you should read up on Parental Alienation Syndrom. Its a toxic poison that is inside her. Maybe understanding how the loyalty binds and PAS work will help you with the emotional side of dealing with it. You sound like you are super DONE with things. Its hard, I know. It sucks that shes in your life full time. Im no contact with SD23 Feral Forger, and even Sd15/16 Backstabber/Munchkin who is generally kind and respectful, I have a tough time with full time, because shes loyal peimarily to BM, and BM is a Toxic Troll.

Nanny cams will help you battle the character assassinations. Call her out on things. How close are you to these people shes telling these stories too? Can you block them? Also - do you have any bios that shes poisoning?

Harry's picture

She needs professional help.  First having her mother died is a major thing in her life to deal with.  Having her BF having a new wife is a second major problem to her.   She may not of had a normal childhood.   Saying that, doesn't mean you must live your life in home jail.

SD may not understand normal.  Normal couple do thing together, cook, drink, have fun,  Not fight, causing problems for one another..  She needs much more therapist time, or drugs from a MD. To get together.    Unfortunately this may not work .  
But you can't give up your life for SD. If DH her BF is giving up. You are at a total lost 

23lee's picture

Thank you for your response.  I know (or hope) this is the age and part of grief.  I try to remember it's not personal.  But even before BM passed she (like her BM) showed these characteristics.  Maybe I'm not giving enough grace.  I know she is grieving.  But I can't get her to take any responsibility.  She complains about her back hurting, she wants a quick fix.  But that's not life.  She hides junk food in her bedroom (no idea how she is buying it), eats crap, she's overweight, she sits in her bed a lot or walks hunched over.  I tell her if you want your back to stop hurting you need to do your stretches, try to strengthen your core, work on your posture and use your desk (I don't discuss her weight, just remind her what she eats is what she will feel. So you eat crap you will feel like crap).  I offer to do these things with her.  Her response...that won't do anything.  We've tried group counseling, she refuses to go.  We've tried getting her involved in activities before and after BM passed.  Her BM would pull her out, now she refuses to do anything.  We take away her electronics she will just sleep all day.  When we try to get her out of her room we end up fighting and she refuses to come out or she claims she has bad cramps...she uses this excuse regularly.  She then claims she's depressed, miserable and scared bc of me and her father.  Same crap she would pull when BM was alive.  If she got in trouble, we would discipline her (it's called parenting)  she would call her BM claiming she was scared.  Then BM would call DH tell him he's a horrible father, SD feels scared (scared bc we took away her electronics...really) like she did when they were married...such b.s. so eventually DH would unground her follow by kissing SD's and BM's butt for weeks doing and getting them whatever they wanted to prove he was a good father. BTW if any mother thought their child was in danger you really think they would let them stay every other week at that parents house? Such a scam.  We are trying but she just wants to put all the anger, blame and issues on us.  I just don't know what to do.  What's worse giving in and letting her hang with friends so she has an outlet (and we also get a break) where she might party or letting her sit in her room all day depressed and sleeping.  What if she is suicidal? She's never said she was, we ask a lot.  But usually the quiet ones are the ones that act on it.  I just am lost.  How to parent a teenager who lost their mom is so hard.  We hear...be sympathetic, kind, forgiving BUT you must still parent.  Well how in the hec do you do that?  

Stepdrama2020's picture

You are in a horrible situation thats for sure.

You are a good person , caring and helpful. You have every right to feel this way. When you are treated poorly repeatedly its hard to feel the compassion.

SD needs therapy ASAP. Family therapy too !

As for being held hostage for living life and drinking wine. That is ridiculous.  SD is a drama queen who wants attention and everyone to feel sorry for her. .SD is a liar and manipulator. Yes she may be grieving but that doesnt give her a pass to spread BS about you. The grieving excuse can only go so far. Anyone in your shoes wouldve lost it on her by now. You are human. 

As others have said cameras and therapists are a must.

Blessings

23lee's picture

Thank you all for the very helpful tips!!! Unfortunately I do have cameras bc I had to use them when SS was in his phase (he was stealing).  So I'll get them back out for me and DH's protection.  I know all about PAS, and that's exactly what it is. BM told DH when he divorced her 14 yrs ago that she will make it her mission to make sure his kids hate him.  Before she passed she even told SD that DH was hitting on her and wanted her back making her uncomfortable.  Even told SD DH told her he missed her big breast (she had a double mastectomy 13 yes before). WTF, who does this to a child.  It's absolutely not true but so messed up. She has mentally abused them for years to get back at DH and her dying mission was fo try and break us up through using her own daughter. 

 

SD is on medication (and birth control for cramps) and sees a therapist but I like the idea of talking to them about insight (if she allows it, can't believe 15 year olds can control their meds and control talking to their therapist).  Also thanks for the info on curfew, new full time mom here so learning.  I can't prove BF parents let them drink, she just says 'BF's parents don't care if BF drinks, and when she wasn't grounded she was always at BF's, always and she would come home looking very rough.  So putting two and two together but not sure how to prove it. 
 

I won't give up on her, sometimes I want to but I would never do it. SS was really bad and now he's an amazing, hardworking, loving young man heading to college soon.  I did send him to a outdoor camp for a month when he was this age and he came back a totally different person (against BM's wishes and with a lot of pushback).  But SD refuses to go. We are contemplating boarding school.  Only bc She just has been taught to hate us that I don't think we can get her the support she needs.  Also any relationship with me would be against her mom (her mother apparently made it clear she hated me before she passed, even though I did nothing to this woman but support her and her kids). Think only time and maturity will make her see we really love her and we are good people. 

Ispofacto's picture

You can get a home breathalyzer.  If she comes home looking rough, administer it.  If she's been drinking, call the cops.

I would call BF's parents and have a calm conversation with them.  Let them know what SD said.

 

Rags's picture

clan.

No contact. Period.  There is nearly no time to purge the BM toxicity from this 16yo so this cannot be a cautious action. It has to be firm, direct, and NOW!

Any of the things SD says should to be confronted with reality and with direct firm corelation to her fortunately dead BM's crap. This kid needs an immersion therapy regimen with a strong therapist clearly disecting how her BM perpetrated PAS on her towards her father.  This kid needs to know that the worm dirt BM was an evil POS.

Either that or DH needs to look into forced legal emancipation to get this kid out on her own where she can learn life's lessons on he own terms and not being allowed to drag anyone down with her.

This has to suck the mighty member as the SM having to deal with this.

Take care of you.

Kaylee's picture

Ex SD lost her mum when she (SD) was 16. I didn't know them at that stage, but by all accounts the mum was not a nice person. Still, it is devastating to lose a parent, absolutely.

It DOESN'T give a person a free pass to be an asshole and treat everyone like dirt though, which is what ex SD did/does..

And if anyone ever tried to discuss her behavior she would scream at them that her mum died etc etc. I mean she's now 24, so it's 8 years that she's been using that excuse. 

It didn't wash with me. My sons lost their Dad when they were 19 and 16. But they are nice to people, well mannered and respectful.

 

23lee's picture

Curious. what did you do to help your children with their loss of their father at such a hard age?  Wow, you are an incredibly strong person.  

Kaylee's picture

He had a terminal illness so his death was expected. We had a lot of time as a family to prepare....I'm not saying it was easy but we were/are a close family unit who talk openly/, listen carefully, and are always there for each other. I think that has a lot to do with it. By the sounds of it, your H and BM were not happy, and BM alienated the kids against him. So you're on the back foot before you even start. Makes it tough for you.

There have been ups and downs in my boys lives...things haven't always been smooth sailing but on the whole they are delightful young men, making their own way in life.

23lee's picture

Thanks everyone, already taking steps you suggested.  I know many of you are going through the same situations with the resentment from a child that is not yours but you still care for and love.  The PAS and the other parent feeling guilty is a bad combo.  I just don't understand what parent would put their hate for the other parent over the love for a child. Breaks my heart for my SD even though her actions piss me off and hurts.  

justmakingthebest's picture

Have you considered a therapeutic boarding school? Sometimes insurance can help, but personally I would take on a 2nd and 3rd job to afford it rather than be miserable all the time. Did BM leave funds for the kids? Are there social security benefits that could help cover the costs? 

I think sometimes, as parents, we have to stop and admit that we don't have the tools that our kids need and it sounds like SD might need more help than you or DH can give her. Maybe keeping her with you is doing her more harm than good and there is a better answer out there.