step children, picky eater

[inlovesalem 17]

Read the book Stepmonster by Wednesday Martin. Most realistic book about being a stepmother to girls...and I have personally read them ALL!!! *wink*

that has been added to my reading list, thanks!

[NikLR 13,227]

To be honest, don't alienate your stepdaughters' mother. You and your husband should not put her down when the girls are around. You can say that the rules may be different because people are different, or whatever makes it easier but do not say it's because you're better parents or that her mom doesn't care or doesn't have a clue. That's a sure way to get a child to rebel, even if their mother is all those things. Until we're adults, we tend to always give your parents another chance because we love them. Heck we tend to do it as adults too.

That is one piece of advice I can give you as a person who has a step-mother they dislike enough to never want to talk to them. And I've tried to like her because she seems to make my dad happy. He seems to think it's all my fault we have never gotten along but I tried to do everything she asked of me like calling her mommy because she told me once to pretend she was my mom and that my mom was just my friend. She also treated my sister and step-brother with more affection than me (my sister because it was easier to alienate me, than her because my dad cared more about her because she is handicapped) In the end she was meaner to my sister after I was kicked at age 7. Anyhow... I digress.

Just be a warm, loving person that they can talk to. Have rules and stick to them. Be a united front with your husband so that the rules don't change from person to person. Even if you disagree with each other, do it in private, figure it out and fix it. As for the food, keep trying, and be understanding. Having her help make the food is a good start. And honestly if you, and your husband feel the girls would be better with you, don't be afraid to fight for custody.

[Kajikit 65]

It sounds like this has gone way beyond being a 'picky eater' to having a full-blown eating disorder. You could fight with her until kingdom come but it's not about you, or anyone thinking you're a 'bad mother'... she's the same everywhere and her health is suffering. Has anyone taken the time to send her to a child psychologist for an evaluation?