You are here

I just don’t like my sd

Lilmama's picture

There's really nothing wrong w my sd, 10. She's a nice kid and pleasant. I still can't stand her, or maybe, it's that I can't stand that her dad allows her to so certain things I don't approve of. 
 

1. she dresses like a slob, wears the same clothes day after day, and is now wearing a Harry Potter robe to school, like an outfit. I find it mortifying and don't want to be seen w her. Also, never brushes her hair, etc. 

2. she doesn't eat. Pickiest child ever . Eats white food only, plus carrots. My guy never even tries to get her to eat anything else. 
 

Honestly, I dread being around her for these reasons and avoid it all costs, but sometimes I just have to and today is one of those days and I hate it. 

 

Winterglow's picture

The problem lies with your bf who isn't doing his job as a parent. It's his role to teach her how to dress appropriately (can you imagine the teasing/bullying she probably has to deal with at school?), proper hygiene and self care, and encourage her to at least try new foods. What's he waiting for? Kids don't raise themselves ...

Lilmama's picture

I know. We've discussed this a million times. He doesn't think that stuff is important, or claims that he's doing it, but the proof is not there, and I refuse to do it.....been there, done that. 
 

How can I accept this since it's not changing? 

Winterglow's picture

"He doesn't think that stuff is important"

So, in other words, he's treating her like a pet ... as long as she's fed and has a place to sleep she'll be fine? He's just too lazy to actually parent his daughter. You are right not to do it all for him - not your child (though he's probably waiting for you to do exactly that). 

notarelative's picture

I had to laugh at the Harry Potter robe. My guess is that if you went to the school, you'd find other children with daily outfits too. Maybe not Harry Potter, but sport teams, other characters, or certain outfits. I had one who would only wear a certain type of shirt, and the other would only wear shirts of certain sports teams for awhile. The Harry Potter thing will pass.

For mine, if they wanted to only wear the same outfits, I insisted they be clean, and taught them how to use the washer and dryer. If they didn't have enough for a load, they had to add other family laundry. Win for me as most of it ended up being done by them.

The hygiene thing lays squarely on her bio parent. He needs to parent.

Rumplestiltskin's picture

"What I'm asking for is advice on how to accept it."

Alcohol? Pills? Lobotomy? Those are all ways to numb yourself to things you find unacceptable. A more healthy way might be by finding fulfillment outside your home and family, so that you just don't think about it. To me, any of the above options is settling, but at least the last one won't hurt you. 

SilentWarrior's picture

I do not think you should have to spend time with your SD if you do not want to. That said, a frank conversation with your BF about hygiene (especially after puberty) and the impacts it can (and will) have socially. Part of our job as partents is to help our children become socially acceptable so they can find their own friend group, jobs, family etc. Ask him if he would hang out with her if he was 10 and not her dad. How would other 10 year olds respond? Wearing the Harry Potter robe sounds like a comfort peice of clothing - like self-soothing. Might be worth suggesting counseling, maybe even family counseling.

Accepting it...might take disengaging from the situation. 

Cover1W's picture

My SDs didn't dress weird but the were (are) extremely picky about clothes and food. After several years of helping with clothing I stopped because the parents didn't care. They could be wearing clothes a size too small and with shoes falling apart and only I would do something to correct it. Note also the SDs never asked either, they weren't taught how to take care and speak of their own basic needs.

I helped a lot with food too, they had not been introduced to food at the right times, or at all. They ate all white food with only few exceptions. At 7 & 9. I changed that successfully with YSD with the 'how to introduce food to toddlers ' process. It failed with OSD because I think she has Selective Eating Disorder. Anyway I didn't disengage completely until YSD announced she was a vegetarian for no reason, and she actually is a vegan but doesn't admit it. So DH has to cook and do the shopping when she's here. She's 17. I explained to him why very calmly and he agreed.

Hygiene..,the battles! Awful. They had never learned to use a washcloth or wash their own hair (they just didn't at DHs and BM didn't make them either or did it for them). I taught them to wash, brush their teeth, do their laundry. YSD loved this. She still doesn't shower enough or brought her teeth enough but she keeps neat and doesn't reek. She's smelled once or twice after coming from BMs but I kept the car window down and told DH. We had some other incidents during COVID which you can find on my blog. OSD rebelled against any hygiene requirements. DH let her so I stopped trying. I disengaged. I would not sit next to her or take her anywhere in public if she was dirty or smelled. I would not have her in my car. It was a hard line. DH only started trying with her when HE had to smell her or her breath.

Basically you won't fix it. You can only ignore or disengage. Figure out how you can remove yourself from it. Read the disengagement forum.

I still don't accept it, it's still aggravating with only YSD17 around and having no say over it, but I've come to terms with disengaging.

 

Lilmama's picture

Thank you for this. I've largely disengaged; we don't even live together anymore because of parenting differences. That said, I am very sensitive and get mortified when we go out and she hasn't brushed her hair, is wearing the same clothes for the 3rd day in a row, nails are dirty and long.....yuck. She doesn't smell....yet, and I know he makes her shower but I feel embarrassed taking her out looking like a slob. Further, I feel like my friends don't get it since they're all kind of hippie-ish parents but I'm not and I care about appearances.

I've tried so hard to accept it and just look away but it's painful and sometimes, I slip up and say stuff and it causes a massive fight. 

Winterglow's picture

What would happen if you refused to go out with them until she dressed appropriately and brushes her hair? That's all I can suggest seeing as you no longer cook for her.

A few questions - is he the custodial parent? What does visitation look like? How present and influential is SD's mother? How does your SO present? Is he smart? A slob? Hygiene? Does she know her grandparents?

 

Lilmama's picture

He and his ex have shared custody. Ex was home schooled and raised on a farm. She has some hygiene and clothing issues too. The bf is super smart; also a Buddhist. He's not a slob but he would be if he hadn't figured out years ago what we call the "maniform"- he wears a suit every day to work (we are both teachers) and the rest of the time, he wears a black t shirt w jeans. He has no idea how else to dress. If I buy him other stuff, he doesn't wear it. I think he doesn't know how! 
 

He is also a Buddhist and probably believes because his daughter is a truly sweet and kind kid, nothing else matters. She is verbal but has real trouble reading, writing and w math. She cannot remember anything. And, she doesn't know how to take care of her body or eat. 
 

For a long time, I took on this role but it meant sometimes being strict and she would cry.....and my bd didn't support me. They moved out around that time (we live in an apt complex and he's in another apt there....about a 3 min walk away) 

Rumplestiltskin's picture

What is white food? Like only things that are white in color? Does this include cauliflower or literally just bread and pasta? 

Cover1W's picture

Me too. All my friends had kids who were introduced to lots of different foods and we're good eaters so the SDs were a huge shock.

I told DH that there was no chance I was eating like that and no way in h*ll I was cooking two meals, so he did the cooking then until he agreed to try the toddler way. One meal, that's it. I still hold to this. If YSD17 doesn't want to eat what I'm making them she can make her own restrictive meal. I at least tell DH 24hrs in advance so she has warning.

To this day though she won't eat the bread I make and is suspicious of what I cook like she's afraid of contamination. And she used to eat loads of my food and even help cook and learn recipes. Who knows what crazy switch was flipped but I am out.

Cover1W's picture

Yes same here. Chicken nuggets were ok. I incorporated baked chicken breasts for something healthier but not crazy, OSD refused to eat them at first because there was a little black pepper and god forbid, parsley! Broccoli was actually ok, but just the very very tops, and edamame with lots of salt. That's it.

OP does she also have issue with fabric, is picky about what touches her skin?

Lilmama's picture

Yes: she is super picky about clothing too. I am positive she has some kind of sensory issue and I've said this but he refuses to do anything about it

Cover1W's picture

Exactly nothing you can do. My DH is just now admitting YSD17 may be on the spectrum, which I pointed out when she was around ten. And the sensory issues of OSD super early on and he dismissed it. Whatever reading I gave him he ignored or stopped reading because it was too hard. I don't think he ever went to a doctor's appointment with them at all. Certainly not since I've known him. Oh wait, one opthalmologist visit.

Shieldmaiden's picture

Sounds like my middle SD, minus the carrots. White food only! Fried, deep fried, or breaded. She even picked the cheese off of cheese pizza. She loves eating fried chicken and steak with her fingers, so her hands get all greasy. Then, instead of wiping her hands on a napkin, she picks up her glass with her fingerips to drink. I was always waiting for that glass to slide out of her greasy fingers and crash onto her plate. Somehow, she held onto it. Gross. She is now 19 and still a slob.

ESMOD's picture

How do you accept it?  Well... I guess the real question is morally how could you look the other way and date someone you know is neglectful of their child? I  mean.. why would you want to.. seems very unattractive to me.

I'm not saying kids will not be weird..or imperfect.. but your BF refuses to address real concerns.. that are going to make his child's life very hard.. why? lazy? stupid.. neither of those are great characteristics in a mate.

Lilmama's picture

Yes: it's making it exceedingly hard. He's actually extremely smart but somewhat lazy about hygiene. He showers daily, shaves but teeth.....he forgets a lot at night. Wears the same outfit literally every day: black t shirt and jeans but he has 30 black r shirts so it's not the same one. You can see why he has no idea how to dress a child. 

ESMOD's picture

do you think he might have some undiagnosed issues.. that are translating to his child?  maybe they both need therapy?

Lilmama's picture

She definitely has issues. He is already in therapy. I believe he has depression (he would agree) and some form of adult adhd but it's hard to insist he go on meds when he's a highly successful teacher and musician. 

Lilmama's picture

Here's the thing: he's not neglectful in many ways. She has everything : lots of toys, books, and most importantly, experiences. He will travel w her on his own (I refuse). He takes her to museums and follows her interests. He just can't seem to manage what I call "the basics".....but to me, this is the most important stuff! He doesn't agree and thinks she will outgrow all of it: not knowing how to read, dress or eat. I vehemently disagree

Lifer33's picture

Does she get bullied, and have you asked him about that aspect?

When my daughter tries to evade brushing her teeth I say fine, up to you but don't come crying to me when kids at school tell you you smell.

 

JRI's picture

My GD 'marched to a different drummer".  Odd clothes, non-conformist type. Bath avoidance.  Food fetishes.  This is the one who had speech apraxia.   Some people are just different.  She's 31 now, lesbian, drives a truck, seems happy.  She's a very sweet, empathetic person so if she's happy, I'm happy.  It takes all kinds.

Rags's picture

Kids eat what is prepared for a meal. Or... they go hungry until the next meal.

Period. Dot.

No snacks, nothing. Eat, or go hungry.

KISS - Keep It Stupid Simple

Regarding hygiene and neat attire.  She bathes and puts on presentable clothes, or.... she does not go with the rest of the family anywhere.  If she is 12, she can stay home alone and starve/stink to her hearts content.

Lock up the pantry and refrigerator leaving only a single plate covered on the counter for her to eat from with a selection. Protein, green veg, etc.

Her chosen hygiene and attire will eventually get her shredded by her peers at school. Something will eventually counter whatever advantage she is getting out of her food, hygiene, and attire choices.

Rags's picture

Those who make those choices, have no place in the lives of decent people.

Those otherwise incapable of behaving properly, should be put in an evironment where they can be supported and sternly guided to behave in compliance with established standards.

Unconditional love does not mean unconditional acceptance of unacceptable behavior. Whether or not the perpetrator of that behavior has legitimately Dx'd issues.