HELP!!
Find a Conversation
| Fri, 05-11-2007 - 6:57pm |
Ok, here it is...I've got an almost 16yo step-daughter. She has always been "Daddy's Little Girl". She's basically a really good kid, smart, sweet, kind, talented, EXCEPT when she doesn't get her way. She has been told to leave my personal belongings alone, does she? Nope. Last night, she asked to go to the movies with her friends, Daddy told her ok, but she had to come home afterwards. Her response? "Why?!?!?!? I don't understand." I told her that Daddy said no, so there was nothing to "understand", just abide by. I got home from work this afternoon, and is she here? Nope. Called her dad, and he said he was tired of fighting with her and she was going to do what she wanted anyway. Well, I'm NOT tired of fighting with her, so I called her cell, and read her the riot act. Told her I was sick and tired of her Princess Act, and from that moment on, she had to find another way of getting to dance lessons, recitals, competitions, her friends' houses, school and other things. That I was disappointed and totally pissed-off at her attitude and her sense of entitlement. Then I hung up.
Was I out-of-line?
Btw, I've been the only mother she's known for almost 6 years and have done everything for her (see the above list of chauffering duties as an example).
Thanx!!
Melissa

It sounds like Dad needs to step up to the plate and begin to parent. If he's tired of fighting, maybe he should get tired of doing her running around. Just how did you end up doing all of it anyway? I'd revisit this with him.
Nope. If she isn't going to give a bit of respect, then why, oh why, should she get it. It's an earned thing, not an entitlement.
Just my $.02.
Best wishes
Sallie
I don't think you're out of line at all - if there's anything I hate, it's the Little Miss Princess act. Though if she has been daddy's little girl all her life, he's kind of made this princess, and he needs to step up to the plate and deal with her. She's going to have a rude awakening when she gets married some day, and her in=laws don't fall all over themselves to make her happy (living that one with my DS's wife - though thankfully she's getting a bit better over time!)
Don't let her walk over you, relationships are two way streets, and it's about time she learned that. IMO, kids who give their parents kindess, courtesy and respect get a whole lot more freedoms and privilages than those who don't.
Rose
How did I end up with those responsibilities? Hmmmmmmmm...well, Daddy changed jobs where he had to be at work before 7am and didn't get home until after 6pm. That left only me to do it. Then La Princess was accepted on her dance competition team, and since dads just don't "do" competition weekends, it was left up to me, again.
But, both of y'all are right...we are going to sit down and revisit this whole thing. I'm just not happy with the situation as it stands.
Thanx...:-)