"I lost my mom at 12. A year later, my dad got married. She came with 2 kids, aged 14 a boy & a 16 year-old daughter. We lived together in the house, with me being the youngest.
I wasn't exactly maltreated, but I was being discriminated against by her children, who always got the best of everything. Growing up in that house was complicated. I did all the cooking & chores, which was a relief compared to what could have been worse - physical abuse. I ate daily meals, though not equally portioned like her kids - they got bigger pieces of meat and extra helpings. I convinced myself it was cuz I was the youngest.
However, my stepmom's behavior changed slightly when I started excelling in school. She would: Compare my grades to her daughters', Limit my study time, saying "house chores won't do themselves" Make subtle comments like "You think you're smarter than my girls?"
Despite this, I still respected her as my dad's wife and the mother of my household. Years passed, & my dad retired from his job. In a shocking move, he agreed with my stepmom to stop funding my education, citing "financial constraints. Despite that i was the most brilliant one in the house.
I was 22 & had to drop out of college to support myself & also helping stepmom in her restaurant business. That's when I met my husband - a rich, kind man who asked for my hand in marriage. My stepmom initially rejected him, saying I was "too young" & offered her older daughter instead. But he insisted on marrying me. When he approached dad, he agreed to our union. The day of my wedding, Stepmom called me into a private room & tearfully apologized for how she had treated me.
I forgave her, & we started Afresh. For over a year, we lived happily. She'd visit me often, helping with advice & support, especially when I became pregnant. Later on, after giving birth to my son, my stepmom visited, with the initial plan to stay with me for at least 6 months helping with nighttime feedings & caregiving tips. But 3 days ago something terrifying happened... While holding my 4-week-old b"by, my stepmom claimed she was "extremely sleepy" & accidentally dropped her. My son was rushed to the hospital, where doctors administered: Oxygen therapy, Phenobarbital to prevent any seizures. Thankfully, my baby is fine now...
A week before this incident, I walked into the kitchen to find my stepmom preparing my baby's bath water - it was scalding hot!. But all she could say was she "forgot" to test the temperature with her hand before putting the b"by in. Luckily, & thank God I intervened just in time, & my baby was unharmed. So now I'm really confused & consumed by doubts: If my stepmom's actions are truly accidental, or actually intentional or could it be just an act of carelessness & if i should still allow her to stay & help for the remaining 5 months, or could my bæby's safety be at risk? Please, help! kindly guide me through this.
"I lost my mom at 12. A year later, my dad got married. She came with 2 kids, aged 14 a boy & a 16 year-old daughter. We lived together in the house, with me being the youngest.
I wasn't exactly maltreated, but I was being discriminated against by her children, who always got the best of everything. Growing up in that house was complicated. I did all the cooking & chores, which was a relief compared to what could have been worse - physical abuse. I ate daily meals, though not equally portioned like her kids - they got bigger pieces of meat and extra helpings. I convinced myself it was cuz I was the youngest.
However, my stepmom's behavior changed slightly when I started excelling in school. She would: Compare my grades to her daughters', Limit my study time, saying "house chores won't do themselves" Make subtle comments like "You think you're smarter than my girls?"
Despite this, I still respected her as my dad's wife and the mother of my household. Years passed, & my dad retired from his job. In a shocking move, he agreed with my stepmom to stop funding my education, citing "financial constraints. Despite that i was the most brilliant one in the house.
I was 22 & had to drop out of college to support myself & also helping stepmom in her restaurant business. That's when I met my husband - a rich, kind man who asked for my hand in marriage. My stepmom initially rejected him, saying I was "too young" & offered her older daughter instead. But he insisted on marrying me. When he approached dad, he agreed to our union. The day of my wedding, Stepmom called me into a private room & tearfully apologized for how she had treated me.
I forgave her, & we started Afresh. For over a year, we lived happily. She'd visit me often, helping with advice & support, especially when I became pregnant. Later on, after giving birth to my son, my stepmom visited, with the initial plan to stay with me for at least 6 months helping with nighttime feedings & caregiving tips. But 3 days ago something terrifying happened... While holding my 4-week-old b"by, my stepmom claimed she was "extremely sleepy" & accidentally dropped her. My son was rushed to the hospital, where doctors administered: Oxygen therapy, Phenobarbital to prevent any seizures. Thankfully, my baby is fine now...
A week before this incident, I walked into the kitchen to find my stepmom preparing my baby's bath water - it was scalding hot!. But all she could say was she "forgot" to test the temperature with her hand before putting the b"by in. Luckily, & thank God I intervened just in time, & my baby was unharmed. So now I'm really confused & consumed by doubts: If my stepmom's actions are truly accidental, or actually intentional or could it be just an act of carelessness & if i should still allow her to stay & help for the remaining 5 months, or could my bæby's safety be at risk? Please, help! kindly guide me through this.
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