This sounds just like what happened to my mom! She married my step-dad, and his middle son acted up and she wasn't allowed to punish him at all, and then my step-dad would hand out these rather extreme punishments to me (nothing abusive, just really strict)

Okay, as much as I hate it when couples split up, how much can someone love and respect you if they call you a liar? Also, this kid doesn't sound like a good influence on your daughters. I don't know him at all, but he might even try to do something to THEM, I know my step-brother used to try to get me drunk, and try to get me to do other things much worse that my mom would die if she knew about, so I'll never tell her. My mom rasied me right, so I was able to say "no". I still hated it all though. She finally left him about a year and a half ago. The divorce isn't final yet (I think it will be in December) but she is very happy with the choice she made, and wishes she had left sooner.

My step-father and middle step brother were very verbally abusive to me. and wether or not the dad does anything like that in your family I don't know (but calling you a liar, and countering your punishments isn't what should happen) You may have made in a mistake in thinking that you could change things. If you honestly know that you can work things out, PLEASE do as soon as possible, but, if it is how it sounds to me (like my mom's 2nd marrage) Leave as soon as you can. I hate saying that more than you'll ever know. I hate divorce so much, but people make mistakes, and this is a wrong you can make right again.

Again, if you think you can make it right again, go ahead. But I have to tell you, my mom stayed married the 2nd time for 11 years, and every year was worse than the one before. She was starting to become really depressed, and now she's really recovering! This kind of thing is never fun, and no one likes it, but I think in the long run both you, and your girls will be better off because of it! (I know my mom and I are) Sometimes strength isn't holding on, it's letting go.

Again, if you think you can work it out, by all means do, but if you know it's doomed, the sooner you leave the better. I'm so sorry you're in this situation. I wish you nothing but the best, God bless.