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marie34's picture

HI there everyone,

I"m new here and reading through some of the posts I've found what I need. A place to discuss these things which cannot be talked about anywhere else literally since nobody understands. 

 

So I have 3kids of my own and 1 SD, been married for 6 years to DH, but we've known eachother for 10. SD is 16 now almost 17 and since it's summer vaca she spends weeks with us. Here's the issue.....while she is polite when she does speak, she barely speaks to me. A bit more to my kids but very minimal. She lies or sts in her bed literally all day and is on her computer or phone. She barely gets  up to eat (that's a whole other discussion). I've stopped asking if she wants to join me and my kids on our outings because the answer is always "no". She doesn't seem to have any hobbies or doesn't want to do anything. When she is with her mom, she does a bit more I think and she has her friends there.

I'm feeling that she can't stand being around us, I could be wrong, but I feel the distance. She gets moody. I don't know if she is really depressed, or just can't stand life when we are around or when she is with us. 

LIke I said I"ve stopped asking and talking because it doesn't lead to anything. In the past she would occasionally join us but all that has drastically changed. She seems happier when DH is around (he works out of the house but has flexibility). I work from home now due to Covid. He sometimes takes a day off to take her out and "talk" to her bc she "feels uncomfortable talking at home". What they talk about idk...... I know he wants her fulltime, college, etc but I never hear the results of these talks. 

I could go on, but I'll leave it at this for now. Just trying to navigate this loooooongg summer. Normally, when I'm out working and my kids are out at camp we don't witness all this, but since this year is different......

thank you

BethAnne's picture

Sounds pretty normal to me. I wouldn't worry about it. I might try to still ask her every so often if she wants to join in things, just to let her know that you haven't forgotten about her. I would proabably also continue with basic pleasantries as long as she is polite in her responses. I'd encourage your husband to think of things that he can do with all of the kids and maybe you too, to get her out of her room a bit.

The thing that I would definately do though is have a discussion with your husband about what her (and his) plans are for when she finishes high school. You need to be kept informed of this as it will impact you. It is not right that it is a secret between the two of them. 

CLove's picture

Moody teen years - I keep hearing about this teen stuff, so perhaps that is what you are experiencing.

I have an SD14 and she is very talkative. Her sister would do what your SD16 is doing.

She sounds depressed. Keep being solid and pleasant. It could be that her mother is poisoning her against you all. And to like you and have a good time would be seen as a betrayal to the mother.

Your husband needs to clue you in about things in general, especially what will happen after high school. Also it would be good to clue you into what is going on with her and her feelings. Have you personally tried to talk with her?

tog redux's picture

I always think it's a bit odd when kids her age go to the non-custodial parent's home for an entire summer. She likely has all her friends, boyfriend, car, etc, at her mom's house. While I get that her father wants to see her, I can see why she might be bored silly.

At any rate, she'll be turning 18, so no entire summer visit next year? Time to come out for a week or two and nothing more.