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Revelations...aka Where the Scary Things Are

CLove's picture

SO. Im going to put myself out there...

Husband is afraid of SD16.5 Power Sulks Math teacher! He got the call last week (of course did not tell me), and she wants a parent teacher conference. Ok, so no wonder PS has been out of school "sick", and avoiding coming to our house...I KNEW something was up. Oh she has to stay home because she didnt get enough sleep the night before, etc. Oh she forgot some stuff...nope she knows shes in trouble and her go-to is avoidance.

When I got home and we had our chat, it comes out that the math teacher is concerned (wow, she cares!). Husband doesnt want to meet. Why? I think hes afraid. Afraid of judgement that he is being a "bad parent" whos kid is faililng, and Math Teacher (my new heroine) is going to put him on the spot. Require him to parent.

I get his frustration, I really really do. He only has about a year of more influence. He only has kiddo half the time and has no control the other half. He failed with the first one. 

All I could do was listen. Be a version of supportive. Tell him that there is "always hope" for his kids to do and be better. That he can go one of two different ways - super strict, take away the new phone and supervise all the scholastic endeavors, or just leave it alone and continue doing what hes doing (hands off, wharehousing) until shes REALLY failing (because then hes still on the hook for child support) and swoop in at the last minute, have her take GED and then counsel her on the benefits of joining the military.

I really did try propping him up. And then I gave some tough love "you HAVE to meet with this teacher. And you HAVE to have a talk with SD16.5 Power Sulk. You CANNOT just bail out on this".

Then I got the final jab from him-who-has-to-have-the-last-word...(PM me to find out, because it might be offensive)

***** Edited to Add the following about joining the military**** From the link posted below - this applies to ARMY. Follow the link and scroll through the different branches

Recruits to the army are usually classified in three tiers:

Tier 1: Applicants who hold high school or college diplomas are generally categorized as tier one recruits.

Tier 2: GED holders without diplomas and high school dropouts are classified as tier 2.

Tier 3: No GED or High school diploma.  This tier more or less doesn’t exist anymore.

If you are a GED holder with no college or high school diploma, you can raise your rank to tier one by completing 15 college credits.

Army recruits with GED certificates must also perform in the mandatory Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test in order to enlist.

This test is meant to evaluate whether a recruit has sufficient cognitive ability to serve in the army.

It also enables the army to determine what occupations (or MOS) a recruit might be most suited to given their abilities.

Whereas army recruits with high school or college diplomas only need a score of 31 and above to qualify, GED army recruits are required to score 50 percent and above in order to enlist.

In addition to meeting these requirements, all GED applicants must meet all the age, citizenship, height and weight, tattoo policy, and legal requirements in order to be eligible to join the army

 

Comments

Survivingstephell's picture

You need to master being utterly helpless to help him , no more offering suggestions or any other enabling comments.  These situations with DH get no where, so why bother?   

CLove's picture

However I am holding him accountable.

CajunMom's picture

You should re-address your disengagment. You are too involved and it's not your job to hold your DH accountable when it comes to his kids. You can listen to him, give him the "I'm sorry" and the "still time to change" comments but other than that, your DH needs to be the one dictating what he does with his kid.

I don't say any of this with a mean spirit, CLove. I've walked your journey. DH and I had the same scenerio with his youngest.....doing so poorly in his senior year after I got him back on track with grades in his junior year. He then goes back to BM's where she and DH were suposedly doing the "work." I will say that DH tried. He visited the school but because his son was 18, they told him he had zero authority because of age and kid being with BM. DH did not follow up. End of the school year, he failed 5 classes, 53 missed days of school, and the school called. I handed the phone to DH. Not my problem. 

My only comment was, no adult kids will be living here, mooching off us. That was my focus....making sure when BM kicked him out (which she did when the last CS check cleared), that this was not the dumping ground.  Funny....both of the dropouts have figured out life. Happens when you set a boundary.

floralsm's picture

Did the teacher make a meeting with BM too? She definitely should as PS has two homes. If DH doesn't go it makes it look worse. He also needs to understand the teacher won't be thinking he's a bad parent, she's just wanting to do her job and communicate to the parents regarding a student struggling in her class. They won't be interested in pointing blame, they only want communication with a parent for a solution to help the student achieve their academic goals of passing. You probably already have told him but it's not about him, it's about his daughter. 

CLove's picture

They dont communicate except through the child (all kinds of effed up) and he doesnt really know...

notarelative's picture

Wasn't there a recent conference about PowerSulk's attendance? (If I've mixed up posters I apologize.) If so, perhaps something was said at the conference that he did not tell you. He may be afraid to get called out for not following through with what he said in that conference.

Dear father of PowerSulk, avoiding a conference does not endear you to the teacher. She asked for the conference because she actually wants your child to pass this class. Your child not coming to math class is getting her further behind. No teacher minds catching up the truly ill, but all mind trying to catch up the frequently absent as with each absence they fall further behind. Attendance in math class is necessary for understanding as one skill builds upon the other. 

It looks as if another summer school summer is in the wings. 

Adding: Does DH realize it can be harder to join the military with a GED than with a high school diploma? 

https://www.operationmilitarykids.org/can-you-join-the-military-with-a-g....

CLove's picture

With Principal.

And a phone call with Meanie Math Teacher. I guess since no consistently positive progress was made, its probably a follow up thing.

CLove's picture

OK, Ill let him know...

AlmostGone834's picture

Is SD physically fit enough to join the military? Looks like she will have to do a 2-mile run in under 19 minutes and she will have to meet strict weight requirements. Also there are health requirements they must meet and of course the psychological stress of boot camp.... Is this something SD is really interested in? If so she needs to start preparing now.

CLove's picture

But in ROTC. Ill have to broach that also...when the time comes. Good notes, all.

notarelative's picture

If SD is in ROTC, the requirements for enlisting should be being talked about. 
SD should be well aware of them.

Livingoutloud's picture

I'd stop giving parenting advice. He wants her to join military or circus, it's on him. The info about branches of military is readily available to everyone who's interested. Not classified. He could look it up. Like the rest of us. 
 

Same whth seeing a teacher. Up to him. Many neglectful parents  avoid teachers. He doesn't "only" has a child half the time. He HAS her half the time which she typically spends in her room and he is often with his boyfriend/best friend or fishing. So enough with blaming BM. It's up to him though if he meets teachers or not. 

 I am sure he hates teachers. He sounds like a typical person who thinks they are only after money and don't care about kids and are just out there to get these poor innocent parents. He sounds like one of those. "Wow, she cares"- is that his words/a quote? Like it's a surprise as they don't normally care. Rude. SMH 

disengage from parenting. Not your job to hold him accountable to parent HIS kids. This high level of involvement is yet to produce any positive result. It always backfires

CLove's picture

I meant it totally sarcastically, because I am always emphasizing "no they arent out to get you, they dont WANT you to fail, they WANT you to succeed". And same to Husband. He sees it as annoying because its a poor reflection on him. He keeps telling me "shes her own person", then laments her "other half" thats deficient. 

I dont want to have a lazy a$$ kid, and the next year I WILL hold her accountable because shes living in MY home.

Livingoutloud's picture

Just remember how in the past "holding them accountable about schooling" ended up very badly because you take over parenting tasks and it backfires. I'd say holding her accountable re keeping the kitchen clean and not stinking up the house (because it's your house) is a valid point. Her grades though, conference with teachers, her attendance are parental responsibilities. Taking over those isn't your job. I know it's frustrating but still not your job. Monitoring schooling is parental job. Every time you try to be her parent, it ends ugly. I understand you don't want to disengage but then you'll always deal with drama. 

 

la_dulce_vida's picture

STOP!!! It's not your job to hold her accountable or to hold your husband accountable for his parenting. DROP THE ROPE.

Let them crash and burn but be 100% clear that you will not be living with a sloppy, lazy freeloader after graduation. Not in your house. If that means you have to live somewhere else, so be it. Alternatively, SD can live somewhere else and if "DH" doesn't like, he can move out with her.

You will NOT succeed in holding her accountable in the next year. They don't want you to do it now and they aren't going to want you to do it next year.

You're a stubborn woman. I just picture you beating your head against the wall by continuing to try to control an uncontrollable situation. The only person you can control is YOU.

advice.only2's picture

“Hmm DH yeah that sounds like a lot, what do you plan to do?”  “My advice?  Oh well I guess whatever you decide to do would be the best course of action, I’m just here to support you.”

He’s a grown a$$ man who can figure out how to take care of himself daily…I think he can figure this out…will it be what you want?   Nope but that’s his piss poor parenting choice.

CLove's picture

He had some revelations about SD23 Feral Forger too.

That as soon as he found someone (meaning me, Im the "someone") that was what caused FF to go off the deep end.

No Husband, me taking some of your attention from mini wife FF had NOTHING to do with her mental outlook on life as far as driving and job and cleaning and attitude. 

Evil4's picture

I've been in similar situations to yours. I wanted vindication so damn badly, but I finally had to accept that I was never going to get it. I went on strike. I never helped the SKs out again. I didn't help with HW, I stopped teaching SS piano and karate, I just stopped everything. 

I totally agree with JustK's advice to enjoy the Shadenfreude when it comes. And it will. However, when the Shadenfreude occurs, you still won't get that vindication from your DH. I so badly craved that from my DH but was so sorely disappointed when despite my SKs, especially SD proving me right and turning out to be a personality-disordered cow and DH going through a two-year profound depression over it, he still did not give me that vindication. I had to accept that I would never get that from him. However, I secretly thoroughly enjoyed the Shadenfreude. It was such a degree that I had to frequently prance off into the ensuite to lock the door and do my secret gloating twerk. Honestly, it was that delicious. The karma started several years ago and continues today. I have some really delicious Shadenfreude going on right now, but can't say on here because it'll identify me. 

The karma is already starting. The fact that your DH has to go in to talk to a teacher is karma. The fact that PowerSulk had to go to summer school or at least got assigned to it last year (sorry, I don't remember the details) is karma. So, just enjoy the fact that life is already playing out the fact that you were right and making efforts to do what was best for PS. Think of that and accept that as your vindication. We all know that neither of these events would have happened had you been able to stay engaged with PS's education. 

CLove's picture

The schaden thing - joy from damage.

I unfortunately dont have that appendage grown for SD16.5 Power Sulk. Just for Toxic Troll and Feral Forger.

JRI's picture

SD makes excuses not to go to school when she's in trouble.  DH resists meeting with the teacher cuz it might be uncomfortable.  I'm seeing a pattern here....

Clove, I dont think any of us are strong enough to turn around these long-engrained responses.  As you always say, disengagement is your friend.

CLove's picture

I need something to drink.

LOL> but yes. The whole avoid all that is difficult and work and hard and yuky pattern.

Ive had discussions with her about the value of college. The value of any kind of continuing education. Her mother did not graduate high school. Her father did well in HS, but never completed higher education. Ive talked about the fun and joy of going to college...getting my bachelors.

Ive spoken to her about the 'poverty cycle' her parents and sister are currently in. She just nods her head.

Shes seen me work my way up slowly in a new career and all the benefits Ive reaped. Shes seen her mother through multiple moves and jobs, and struggling.

I need to really dive deeper into the friendship with disengagement. It wont matter in the long run. I already have plans for that room of hers.

JRI's picture

Your DH said Munchkin got the Section 9 place for her mom.  I believe it, TT probably couldn't handle the bureaucracy.  I think it's an achievement.  Just saying.....

CLove's picture

For some reason I think it was ME that mentioned housing money for low income with child.

And she took that ball and ran with it.

Im just getting to a better place for myself. I am not going to benefit her anymore.

la_dulce_vida's picture

SD16 has used and abused your friendship.

You need to take the "kind neighbor" stance with your SD. Detach as if she was just a neighborhood kid. You keep an eye out for REAL physical danger, but otherwise take a hands off approach.

CLove's picture

It seems like anything I ever did or do to benefit kid, always just benefits Toxic Troll.

Ispofacto's picture

Like others have said, schadenfreude really works, but in order to enjoy her failure, you have to get angry with her. You aren't, and you should be.

 

CLove's picture

But - here - have been told I should only be angry with Husband. Not the skids.

Livingoutloud's picture

No, you are misunderstanding.
 

There are times when being angry at SD and demanding she does things right is very appropriate. If SD leaves dirty dishes on the table, be angry with her. If SD walks around in dirty shoes and ruins your carpet, be angry with her. SD yelling at you like she's your equal, be angry with her 

But dad refuses to monitor her grades or attendance, doesn't take her to Saturday school because he wants to go fishing, be angry with him. He ignores her going fishing instead and hanging out with his buddies all weekend, instead of checking how she's doing in school, be angry with him. 

also if both SD and DH suck but you ever only angry at SD, but DH gets free pass, that's when people question why are never holding DH responsible but demand responsibility only from SD? 

so of course it's fine to be unhappy with SD's actions when it's appropriate 

  

 

 

CLove's picture

I am definitely mad at him. However I am married to him. Shes "husbands daughter" that I am helping support.

In my book, NEITHER gets free pass.

Livingoutloud's picture

You shouldn't be supporting his DD unless you choose to. It should be 100% his responsibility unless you choose to help. You don't have to stay with her or do things or buy stuff or watch her when dad is gone etc You should only do it if you feel like it and don't feel resentful or angry about it. It is absolutely not your responsibility. Since doing all that upsets you, then the best course of action is to stop 

and he gets free pass all the time. He does what he wants when he wants it

 

 

ESMOD's picture

Clove.. honey.. you married a guy who is a poor parent.  period. 

He and his EX are both bad parents.

She is her parent's daughter.. they both seem to lack a lot of the qualities that would normally make people successful in life.  They both seem lazy and willing to blame everyone else for their problems.

BUT.. it's not YOUR issue to fix.  "I won't have a kid like that in my house"... sorry.. but yes you will.. because you married a guy who has that kid.. (a couple of them actually).. he has done a wonderful job of makng you think it's his Ex's fault.. when he has had ample opportunity to step in himself.. he let you do it.  I recall he is not even capable of learning how to access the online portal?  you give him too many excuses.. he is a mechanic.. supposedly has the ability to use equipment and fix complicated things.. he would do it if he thought it was important.. he doesn't.. he just wants to push it off.. he is lazy about parenting.. you can't change that.

Livingoutloud's picture

He is capable to sign up on a portal or request progress sent to him via other means. Or calling school to ask how the kid is doing. He chooses not to because he 1. doesn't care and 2. has someone else doing it for him. But he most definitely is very capable. 

la_dulce_vida's picture

People make the time and effort for the things they WANT to do. If he can't figure it it out it's because he doesn't WANT to.

TheAccidentalSM's picture

Please look at and reread all the excellent advice you have been given on this site.  I’m saying this with all my heart.

You keep saying that you are going to disengage but you don't really.  You keep trying to control other people from a place of love in your heart, but it doesn't work.  

Block yourself from everything to do with your SDs.  Make sure that all alerts are going directly to your DH.

Then anytime anything comes up and your DH is talking about them, don't give him advice.  Learn a couple of platitudes and use them on him.  "Gosh, that sounds worrying, you'll have to think about what you are going to do"  "I'll support you in your decision"  "Hmmm" "Thanks for letting me know, now what about that concert/tv show/other activity."

If skid is messy, get your DH to clean it or pay for a cleaner.  Don't try to fix her.  Its futile.

If she gets a huge library fine, yawn and take 10x the amount your DH has to cover and put it in a savings account.

The only exception to this is to make is 1000% clear to him that no adult skids will be living in your home and mean it.

Many of the other posters have already given you version of this advice over the past while.  I hope you take it.  It will make your life calmer with less drama.

CLove's picture

14 months. 1 year and 2 months.

Yes. I yawned as he took her to saturday school, and didnt say a peep about library books, nor mentioned anything to do with her.

She will get no energy from me.

And he did clean her room. I only saw it because the cat disappeared in there...

Livingoutloud's picture

I think you might want to start talking now because if you talk on the day of her turning 18 it will be too late.

I'd be also prepared that 18 year olds typically cannot be fully supporting themselves right after high school and can't afford their own place. Heck many fully grown ups cannot fully support themselves and need someone to share bills so id not expect her become fully independent on the day of the graduation.

So be prepared that she's not moving out of parents' houses.
 

But there have to be rules if they live at home. Options: full time in school and work part time (it depends on the type of degree though), part time in school and work part time or full time again depends, no school but work full time etc  So these options have to be discussed and it has to be decided on what's going to be tolerated. I'd start now. 
 

if your rules are that she will not live with you at all, then two options hsve to be discussed. If he chooses you, then he needs time to inform SD and BM that she must stay there and  move out of your house and don't come back for overnights the day she turns 18. Or if he says my daughter stays  here, you need time to prepare how are you going to handle your life. Are you able to support yourself in case of divorce? Or you aren't 100% sufficient? Is your house in a decent shape to be sold or can he buy you out? 

bottom line regardless of the outcome, the conversation must happen now. Not in 14 months. Everyone needs to be able to arrange their lives ahead of time 

CLove's picture

See my post on Butter Bawl. She and I started that conversation. I presented the 4 different flavors of School and Work.

Shes getting a job this summer, and shes going to focus on getting her permit. GOOD! 

Im going to see how things shake out with her mother gettting her new Beach Cottage with 2 bedrooms. She might just naturally transition to being there full time.

Im going to make it clear I need to be involved in those conversations if she wants to be with us full time.

I am open to it, with certain expectations being met and things lined up. I definitely know in our very expensive area that she wont be ready to launch fully, it will be a transition...I also know that if she has a room at her mothers without feral forger, she will prefer the beach cottage apartment over our lettuce curtained house.

Rags's picture

However, both of the nasty failed family spawn are the ones repeatedly choosing their behaviors.

You should by all means be angry with both of the nasty failed family spawn. 

And you should be mad at DH and TT.

That your DH continues to make excuses, justify,  gaslight you, and deflect on the  behavioral and character stench of both FF and PS is deserving of the disdain you hold them all in.

There will be repercussions. You have seen them. FF is living them. As is and will PS.  They are the product of their shit parents and it is likely that neither FF nor PS have the personal character or brains to avoid the shit outcome they are both experiencing at different points in the shit outcome continuum.  There is joy in consequences.  In cases like the one you are suffering through with your DH, TT, FF and PS, that is about the only joy there is in the SParent/blended family world. Until PS ages out from the CO and you and DH can escape to your own adventure with the 3 harpies screaching, crying, and gnashing their teeth as the fade into your pasts.

Time to just point out to DH that his failures are repeating. His cowardice is causing the same results for PS as they have already caused for FF.

Tell him that neither of his children will ever reside in your home after their 18th birthday because you will no longer allow yourself to be exposed to their toxic  presence.  It is okay to tell him that it breaks your heart to see his girls evolving as the shit that they are but that... is on him and on TT. 

Take care of you CLove.