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Old Oct 21, 2015, 04:55 PM
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scorpiosis37 scorpiosis37 is offline
Magnate
 
Member Since: Apr 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 2,302
Quote:
Originally Posted by rcat View Post
yes a positive letter is in the works.

How do I in the meantime forget about the fact I can't compete with her step-dad? This is a different issue than my original question I know but so very much tied to it. I am reminded of this over and over again. To block my child on FB seems so confrontational but it is also the ONLY way I have of knowing the ocassional thing that happens in her life. I wish there was a magic wand I could wave and she would suddenly see the light. It boggles my mind that she can't have seen these things on her own, that it's inappropriate for him to be hanging out with her girlfriends and behaving badly let alone what he did while with me.
I can understand why this upsets you, but it really isn't her responsibility to recognize all of the things her stepdad did to you or to cut him out of her life because he was a bad husband to you. If you're lucky-- which it sounds like you are!-- she will still be able to have a positive relationship with him as a "dad" aside from any issues between you and him. If she is benefitting from his love and support, how great for her! Sometimes, people make lousy spouses but good parents. At only 22 years old, it's totally understandable that she wouldn't be assessing the appropriateness of his dating behavior with other women or his acting like a 20-something himself. That really isn't her business. There also isn't one right way to view him-- it isn't about "seeing the light" because there are as many different ways to interpret his behavior as there are people on the planet. I understand that he was not a good husband to you, but that really should not affect his relationship with her. If she values him as a father, then let her have that. Just try to have a separate, positive relationship with her where you can love and value her also. She really needs both of you. And she's the kid in this situation, even if she is now in her 20s. She needs to know that you can be a supportive person in her life without bringing in baggage from the divorce or criticizing her. If you show her what you can add to her life, she will probably want more of a relationship with you.
Thanks for this!
unaluna