Re: for those of you with bratty children!

TY TY TY TY TY for posting this. I've heard this many times and tried explaining it to my dss last week. We're going through a 'early-teen' stage at 10 years old going on 16. 'Come home and wash my laundry', 'Don't tell me what to do!!', 'I don't have to do that, you can't make me'. Enough to drive a woman batty I swear. I'm printing this out for him to read. Thanks again!

Jenn

oh pleeeeeeeeeease I need the original since i never found it........... im sad to say since my step son forged his fathers signature --- was talked to --- then did it 3 days later for four weeks of music homework..... Now the child has taken off to his sisters so he doesnt have to face the teacher about what he has done - the father had tried to bring him home but his sister pulls the other way. He wont come home because he knows he has done the wrong thing and is being very damn difficuly at the moment. I am going to the school to get him today at lunchtime with the principals help but this will be an effort. For two years I have looked after this boy like my own and took more interest in him than his parents ever did. BUT I will not stand for liers thieves or cheats so he does the crime he does the time as far as im concerned --- though this one runs from the time. PS a tiny little prayer would be greatly appreciatted at this time since it has the possibility of driving my family apart. Thanks for letting me vent a little of whats happening Shaz

Shaz,

My prayers are with you. My stepson situation isn't quite that bad, but it is very difficult. My husband has three children. The 15 year old lives with us because his mother could not deal with him. He resents me somewhat because I'm NOT his mom, even though I've always treated him nicely and she threw him out...go figure. He's very moody and gets very angry when he does not get his way right now and backtalks us. He's said some really ugly things to his dad that I think no child should be allowed to get away with. I get aggravated because I didn't raise my own son that way and I can't stand that the stepson gets away with it because dad wants to sympathize with him rather than make him face up to his responsibilities. I love my husband, but I can't stand living in turmoil. You know what I mean? Anyway...that's my venting...know that you are not alone.

Selena Louisiana

Thankyou Selena ----- I fully understand where the hubby has different methods for the SS and sympathises with him and yet the other children have to toe the line. This happens in this house very frequently and I think that is why it started in the first place - where the child had done wrong and needed to face the time however the father was no back up the first time it happened. If he had backed me up the child would not of thought about doing it again or at least thought twice beforehand. The turmoil and heartbreak the different standards causes is hard to live with. Thinking of you and ty Shaz

oh patty how long does it take ?? Shaz

Thanks Tab - we are not completely out of the weeds yet but workli9ng towards it Shaz

Shaz, it has taken about 7 years for us - SS was 8 when I met him. He knows I am the strict one and that Dad will back me up. But now I make Dad do the discipline and talking, etc. He knows we are a team but ultimately Dad gives the final say although we may come to that decision together.

--

I just want to give a little encouragement to all of you Moms with difficult teens. It will pass...they will become human again and they really don't ever apologize for the havoc they caused....but if you are lucky..they ,too will have children and children do become teens! I think it is a difficult time, ( adolescence) and having expanded families give them a lot of places to act out. All parents know that consistancy is the most important tool that parents have and when there are so many others involved, it is easy for kids to play one against the other. I am sending you all so much good support and thankful that I now have four adults with children of their own. lol Love ya,

Sabrina :-)

Thank you Patty. I keep hoping that he will grow out of it one day and understand that we are the ones that have been parents to him...not his mother (and I use that term loosely). I just keep praying. I know he will get it one day!

Selena Louisiana

I know Shaz. It makes a really difficult situation, that's for sure. I don't have a problem with disciplining his other children, but then they are younger and are not with us but every couple of weeks or so (they live in a different city). The other problem is that my husband works 3-11 PM, so by the time he gets home, the damage is done and SS has gone to bed. Meanwhile, I'm the one with the raised blood pressure!

I feel like things are starting to get better, though. He has moved to a small private school where I teach and started playing football. He seems happier and more relaxed lately, so maybe he's starting to turn around after all. I just keep praying and I will pray for your situation also.

Selena Louisiana

My DD#2 had (stilldoes occasionally) a bad habit starting a sentence to me with "You're going to have to........" So one day I stopped her mid-sentence & said,. "The only think "I have to do" is feed you & refrain from beating you to a pulp, everything else is optional"

That shocked her silent for a while:>), not long though(LOL)