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01-11-2013 at 3:43 PM
kahlabug23
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Joined on 07-15-2012
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kahlabug23 is not online. Last active: 04-15-2013, 2:23 PMNewbie

Need help reconnecting with Step Daughter.

A little background on my situation. Im 19 years old, recently married and my Husband and I are 38 weeks pregnant with my first child. My husband has a 3 year old daughter from a previous relationship. I come from a family of 7 brothers and being the youngest and only girl. I was quite the tomboy to say the least. I always wanted another girl in the family, so I was pretty estatic to find that my husband had a little girl. I fell inlove with her right away and we grew extremely close! I would even take her for long periods of time while her dad was out of town on trips. My feelings have changed drastically since I became pregnant though. Shes a daddy's girl and needs his undivided attention 24/7. This makes me want to lose it! I feel horrible for these new feelings. Almost as if I resent her being in the picture completely. Most of my concerns have come from the way i've seen her act with other kids, and i've even noticed that her attitude has changed since we told her she had a sibling on the way. She's become very possessive of her dad when we have her. Won't even let me sit next to him on the couch. I've tried to be caring and understanding because I do love her, but I feel like my feelings should be accounted for too. Especially since this is my first pregnancy and Im not used to these crazy hormones. But she even sleeps with us! And I dont know how many of you understand how hard it is to try and even fit one person in a bed with a 38 week pregnant woman... but theres not alot of room to begin with, and adding a 3 year old that rolls around the whole bed is just a nightmare. but her dad feels bad making her sleep on her own because she cries herself to sleep. But any 3 year old cries themself to sleep occasionaly because they don't want to go to bed. There's alot more to the story, but bottomline is that I feel horrible for these feelings and wondering if any other moms have had this problem and what to do?! I do care about her and Im hoping that these feelings will go away once my son gets here!
 
01-11-2013 at 3:56 PM
prissy1479
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prissy1479 is not online. Last active: 05-19-2013, 1:48 PMNewbie
I completely understand what you're feeling as a mom to be and as a step-daughter. My parents divorced when I was a toddler and my father remarried when I was 10. We were extremely close and I often resented the time I had to "share" my father with my step-mom. I can say as a mom to be my emotions are at a all time high right now and the littlest things make more nervous and anxious. So here are my thoughts: I would give it time, as hard as it is right now. I think things will be clearer as your family grows into a family of 4. Tell your husband how you're feeling...make him aware that you are working on this issue, that it's a real issue for you and you need his help. Just remember that this is a hard time for your step-daughter-not only is she at that age where she craves more attention; she's about to have a sibling. Things are about to change for all of you. Give it some time and take some time for you :)

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01-11-2013 at 4:09 PM
RussianMom...
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RussianMommy is not online. Last active: 05-19-2013, 6:51 PMSilver
this is where it begins... if he can't say no to her now, what's it going to be like when the baby is here? when she's 5, 10, 16?? your Husband needs to step up and set boundaries for his daughter. She needs to know you're sticking around and she doesn't call the shots. she cant sleep in your bed forever

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01-11-2013 at 4:11 PM
dande2129
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dande2129 is not online. Last active: 05-17-2013, 9:26 AMSilver

I'm going to skip over any judgement that I may have in regard to your post and just say that you need to communicate these feelings with your husband. For one, the little girl is only 3. She doesn't have the cognitive ability to process that getting a sibling/daddy having another baby does not equate to daddy no longer wanting, needing or loving her.

Children are a lot more perceptive and observant that many people give them credit for and more than likely, she feels the resentment that you feel toward her, forcing her to cling to her father even more and become possessive. As far as a three year old "not letting you" sit on the couch? Unacceptable. She may be acting out, but you are still the adult and that behavior should not be tolerated regardless of whether she is getting a new sibling or not.

I would recommend speaking with a non-biased professional counselor with the two of you as well. Keep the lines of communication open.

Good luck. 


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01-11-2013 at 4:27 PM
FutureMrsT...
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Pflugerville, TX
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FutureMrsTowns is not online. Last active: 04-23-2013, 3:51 PMBronze
two things are going on in this little girl's life, 1, she has a new mommy to share her daddy with, and 2, she's going to have a new sibling to have to share him with. Of COURSE she's being possessive. it's important that you BOTH let her know that she is still going to be loved just as much when the new baby gets here as she is now. It's also important for her to have boundaries, i know it's hard because they are so adorable at that age and seeing them cry is the most pathetic thing, but she HAS to have boundaries, they are good for her. once she sees that having boundaries does not mean daddy loves her any less, they will be good for her.

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"Why do I do it?.... because nights alone aren't permanent, missing him reminds me that I'm lucky enough to have someone to miss, and because I'm not afraid to make sacrifices for true love"

 
01-11-2013 at 6:02 PM
Pearls+Oys...
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Pearls+Oysters is not online. Last active: 04-15-2013, 3:44 PMNewbie

Your husband needs to step up his game.

His daughter, his wife and his child-to-be all need him. If he can't set boundaries, he's going to be miserable in no time. You're going to be miserable. What about your own child? How will your husband be able to give that baby any attention if he lets his toddler win over every situation?

I was that toddler once. I was put in my place. Nicely, but firmly. By my parent, not my step-parent. That was my parent's responsibility. Had my parent not stood up for their relationship... It would have failed eventually.  


 
01-11-2013 at 8:05 PM
KateLouise
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New Zealand
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KateLouise is not online. Last active: 05-19-2013, 5:18 AMGold

Yeah there's a lot going on in this picture.

1) She's only 3. It's a tough age for parents generally, step or otherwise. A new sibling is also a tough new phase for any child. So lot of sympathy towards her.

2) Her "not allowing" you to sit on the couch?? Not ok. It's ok for her to feel possessive, and it's ok to want special time with her Dad. It's not ok to not allow another member of the family to use communal furniture.

Having said that, I think it's important to give 3yr olds control and power where you can. Let them pick their clothes, what bedtime story you read her etc.

3) I'm a bedsharer, so I'm ok with a toddler in my bed. BUT you are not, and it's your family, so you get to decide.

Is she with you guys full-time?  If yes, then you guys definitely need to get on the same page and come up with what is ok and what isn't for you both. If she's only there some of the time, then you still need boundaries, but I would make sure she has some serious one on one time with her Dad too.


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01-12-2013 at 12:18 PM
LaurelBee
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Chicago suburbs
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LaurelBee is not online. Last active: 05-19-2013, 5:51 PMGold
There is a blended family board that might be a good place to post. 

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01-12-2013 at 2:57 PM
ByGrace22
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ByGrace22 is not online. Last active: 05-19-2013, 3:33 PMNewbie
Just a quick suggestion on sleeping - have you tried putting her on a seperate bed but still in your room? It could be a great temporary solution as you transition her back to her own room.And three year olds are hard for everyone. Like pps have said get your DH on board with a plan but this just might need time for all of you to adjust.

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01-15-2013 at 8:26 AM
letranger
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Joined on 04-30-2010
Philadelphia
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letranger is not online. Last active: 05-19-2013, 6:33 PMSilver
She's three going through a lot of changes. You are an adult going through a lot of changes. In the end as a parent i feel her feelings are more important. Remember she doesn't understand what the feelings are doing to you because she is three she in nO way thinks she is hurting you, right now she understands her daddy needs to be shared and that's scary.

Talk to your husband about ways to make her feel more comfortable. Look into sibling prep courses. Get her involved with baby things maybe take a day and go out for ice cream and then see if she can pick out a present for the new baby to give them.


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02-05-2013 at 12:56 AM
kahlabug23
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kahlabug23 is not online. Last active: 04-15-2013, 2:23 PMNewbie
Thank you all for such great feed back. I guess I hadn't really allowed myself to step away from the situation and look at it from both sides. Even though our relationship still isn't where I want it to be, it has improved termendously! We are still waiting for our little one to make his debut, but I feel more confident that we'll be able to mold together as one family... not just a mixed family.
 
02-05-2013 at 3:00 PM
sometimesd...
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sometimesdee is not online. Last active: 05-13-2013, 12:13 AMNewbie

I'd check and see if your hospital has any sibling classes. Having a new mommy and getting a new sibling are two big adjustments for such a little girl. That being said, you and especially your DH, need to set boundaries. You deserve to be able to sit on the couch. And what will happen to your sleeping arrangements once LO is born? Will all four of you sleep in the same room? SD may cry herself to sleep the first few nights, but she should eventually get over it. 

 

Another thing to think of is maybe scheduling special father-daughter time. She has to understand that she is still special and will still be loved.


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