Hi everyone

I’m new here. I’ve really been struggling with the blended-family dynamic and was hoping to hear from others who might relate. My partner and I each have a daughter around the same age, and lately it’s started to feel like I’m constantly walking on eggshells. Sometimes it feels like his daughter has negative feelings toward me, and it’s creating a lot of tension in the home. I care about both girls deeply, but I’m at a point where I’m not sure how to keep the peace or where to go from here. Any advice or experiences would mean a lot.

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How old are your girls ? X

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My baby is 2yo and I can tell u she loves me very much but she’s also my very own bully lol so just keep that in mind that young kids could be mean sometimes

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Sharing her age would be helpful. Also, does she have a relationship with her mother? Under what circumstances and when did her parents separate?
My teen son acted out when I started dating 2.5 years after his dad and I split. His father played a role in it as his father also had a very hard time with me dating and expressed it to the kids. Also, all my sons were grieving the family they were born into. It was a challenging transition, but things are better now. Although, my oldest still doesn't talk a lot to my partner. But he came to a point that he is happy that I have a partner that loves and respects me. He also is starting to see his own father's toxic behavior, so he can understand why I ended that relationship.

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If she is a teen or young adult, I would recommend trying to find a common ground. Find something that she likes and meet her there for a conversation. For example, if she likes watching horror movies, invite her to watch one with you and your daughter. If she likes ice cream, take her out for some. When you feel like she is in a good mood and at peace, ask her directly how she feels about you and your daughter joining her family. Some relationships take time to build. She may also be grieving her old life, without a bonus mom and sister. These changes can be hard for some kids.

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I see she is pretty young still. A 7 year old hasn't quite fully developed a conscience yet. Or it's just finishing developing around this age. There is a chance she has picked up a few things from one or more of her grown ups.
One, her opinion of you may have been influenced by her mother. Maybe consider the possibility that her mom actually said something negative about you. If that's the case, you can't do much other than continue being yourself with her until she starts to formulate her own opinion.
She could have developed a feeling of guilt for liking a woman that is not her mother.
Like you mentioned, maybe she doesn't like sharing her dad.
There are so many reasons, but at that young age, just give her time. Model healthy emotional regulation and communication in front of her as much as you can. Continue being consistent with her. Dad should check her on any extreme disrespect, but she should eventually come around when she sees you are there to stay and a good woman.

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Is this normal?

Is it just my husband that does this? He is able to work from home via his computer and in the mornings and evenings he is on there doing his job. When he is done for the day he tends to stay in the room and either play video games or watch something. He will occasionally come out and play with the girls for a few minutes and that’s it but when I really need him he says he is busy. My daughters are both 1 year old now and I am just wondering how much involvement should he have with them now?
Idk if this is the norm or not…..

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1

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Saying NO to buying toys etc

5 year old is getting really envious of others. He is obsessed with items that other kids have at school. I am pestered daily to buy these things in a different style when we already have 3 others. I have seen parents just buying stuff their kid likes which I don't necessarily agree with even when i can afford it. How do you deal with it?

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Thoughts?

your soon to be brother in law (upon inquiry) told you that only a few kids from the family were attending his wedding because they are over the age cut off..

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9

Daycare?

Thoughts on daycare?? Truly, I am SCARED to be leaving my kid for daycare. I literally do not trust anyone, not even family (they haven’t given me a reason it’s just trust issues on my end, you never know). He’s turning 3 and I’ve been a sahm the whole time but tbh my man doesn’t make enough for us to move out somewhere more calm . We live in a ‘not so safe’ area in LA and I’m just not used to living here so I just want us to give my son a better life and in order to speed up the process I would have to work.. I do lashes at home and I’d be open to take new clients so I wouldn’t have to look for work but I’m just scared to lose my license 😭

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Tablet for kids

Alright don’t need any negative Nancy’s telling me not to get my 2yo a tablet so if that’s what your gunna do please don’t participate in my poll.

We’re about to move cross country 3+ day trip and my 2yo and 9m hate the car I’m talking scream their heads off till they are out of their seats. We’ve already changed car seats and it didn’t help so I’d like to at least have one entertained and sit next to baby and try and distract her or put her to sleep. Our new car has tvs but since they are rear faced my 2yo can’t see it.

Debating getting her a tablet or dvd player right now on long car rides I end up giving her my phone because I get so overwhelmed sitting in between both of them screaming and crying.

And yes I do bring different toys I bring snacks I play songs try to distract her other ways but for the sake of not losing my mind on this move I think this is best.

-A very overwhelmed and anxious to move mama 😓

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Separation Anxiety

My baby is nearly 6 months old and has just entered the separation anxiety stage… this evening I was trying to cook dinner whilst my husband was with the baby and he was just crying every time he couldn’t see me, with full blown hysterical sobbing, and as soon as he saw me again he started giggling and smiling. Any tips on how to stop this? And how long might this phase last?
My husband felt pretty disheartened and upset 😢

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