Dear Lady. Ann:
My husband and I have been married for a year and he has full custody of his 5-year old daughter. Since we got married, I have found it difficult to help our family blend as one. I knew what I was getting into, but I thought I would be able to handle it all. But now I am so overwhelmed, I don’t know what to do about it. I have an 8-Year-Old daughter myself and I thought that would help us all blend better.
I treat my step daughter exactly how I treat my own daughter. The same rules apply to the both of them, but my step daughter never obeys anything I say. She leaves her dishes lying on the table and would fuss when I ask her to clean up after eating. She is so rude and nasty to me. She acts so emotional once her dad comes in, making me look like a bad mother. She walks into our room without knocking and would fuss when I ask her to leave. She is always starting a fight with my daughter, and my daughter has become so quiet and reserved. I try to explain to my daughter that they are sisters and she must see my step daughter as her little sister, but I can’t take it anymore.
I have spoken to my husband several times about this and each time he talks to her, she cries so much, he ends up apologizing to her. She uses those tears to manipulate her dad, because when he is not home, she is bossy, nasty, naughty, manipulative and rude. People might think I am being selfish, but I have really tried my best. I buy her gifts occasionally and even allow her do things I will not allow my daughter to do, but it is never enough. What’s left to do?
-Tired Stepmother
#DLATribe, how can she bring her step daughter closer to her?