Step Parenting

[sweettiffany143]

My boyfriend and I have been together for 3 years now, and I'm am 13wks pregnant with our first child (he has a 10 yr old daughter and I have a 6 year old son). I recently read her journal that was laying on her bed (I am a firm believer in reading your children's journals/ diaries, because I think it will give you insight in their lives that you otherwise wouldn't get past a certain age), and there was an entry in her journal about her stealing a book from her schools book store. I confronted her on the situation, and she admitted to stealing the book. I consulted my boyfriend about how we should deal with the situation, and he is in complete denial about the situation, despite the written and verbal confession. He also won't let me punish her. I'm starting to feel like he is afraid of punishing his daughter and like she is the head woman of the household. Has anyone had a similar situation? Or even any advice? I'm concerned that our completely opposite parenting styles could eventually be demise of our relationship...

[kaylaloree]

How can you have a relationship with his daughter and be a real family if his daughter can't trust you? I'd have confronted your hubbie not her. I had a stepmom who always snooped around in my personal life and didnt trust me, it ended up in many fights and now my dad has a bad relationship with her. She shouldn't have stole but she's obviously guilty, that's the worst punishment sometimes.

[Suzy93]

Journals are meant for letting out feelings in private that you wouldn't normally express. Her being 10 years old and writing in her journal is a healthy way for her to vent. I feel that by you reading and confronting her about it made her feel like her privacy was violated. Im not saying that stealing a book is good but maybe you should have tried talking to her and understand the reason as to why she would do that. Not tell her dad and find a way to punish her

[shantyamore]

you also aren't married,that's your step child she's 10 I don't think you should've been in her diary ......and if dad doesn't want to punish her then u shouldn't be upset it sounds like that's not the real issue more jealousy than not long as she dosen t disrespect u there shouldn't be a problem

[Tay9662]

Would you let him punish your child that wasn't his ?? I don't think a step parent has any right over disciplining the child, the parent needs to be the one to do that. I don't believe in reading everything a child writes in her diary , expecially if she's not your daughter you should consult him b4 hand.. all I can say is talk to him and tell him how you feel, I only feel this way because I had terrible experiences with my dads 2 wives growing up(both were very abusive and he never said anything ) not saying your like that but I think discipline is a parents job unless you've known the child a long time