I have an extremely close relationship with my 8 year old step daughter I have been in her life for 7 of those years, She is very open with me more so than any other family members. The last few times she has been with us she has informed me of some things happen at home with her mum and step dad. it's generally related to the way her step father is treating her, also name calling he has called her fat (she is far from it) blaming her for things going missing things around the house breaking the difference in treatment of her compared to his biological child her younger sibling. She can spend up to 30 mins getting all this information off her chest and having a cry while I hold her. This last weekend she advised me that the step father grabbed her by her throat when they were in the pool, she also said sometimes she sits at school and has a funny feeling in her body and wishes he was dead. I have asked her if she could discuss how she feels with her mum and all she could say is my mum won't believe me. She has begged me not to tell anyone. My hearts breaks for my little girl I just don't know what to do, I have course told her dad in private so he is aware we just have no idea what to do we have given her the option to move in with us but she appears to be scared that she will get in trouble for that and maybe thinks she won't see her mum again as her mum blocks us from seeing her regularly and they live a few hours away. I can't even see a way of discussing this with her mum without it getting taken out on my step daughter that's why she has asked i don't say anything but I couldn't forgive myself if I let this go on. What do I do who should I contact.
1 Replies
Oh no, this sounds very complicated. My main concern would be that she has confided in you and ultimately you are going to break her trust (intermittently). Once she realises it was for the better she will forgive you.