Redditor Stunned By Stepfather's Bold Request To Contribute To Stepsister's Home Purchase After Years Of Making Her Feel Like A Second-Class Citizen

"So my mum never had anything for us, and my step father was spending big on his kids."

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• June 22, 2023

Raising children in a blended family, where a stepfather is present, can be a real rollercoaster of emotions. It's not uncommon for one major issue to rear its ugly head: the unequal treatment of children within the household.

When a stepfather plays favorites and shows clear preference towards his biological children while disregarding or mistreating his stepchildren, it can create a whirlwind of tension, resentment, and a nagging sense of injustice.

Take OP, for example, a 29-year-old woman who knows firsthand the hardships of growing up in such an environment. Her childhood was marked by financial disparities and being treated as second-class citizen compared to their stepsiblings.

The stepfather seemed to open the floodgates of generosity for his kids, while OP and her brother were left with meager resources. As if that wasn't enough, they were also excluded from family outings and subjected to relentless teasing from their stepsiblings. It was an emotional minefield.

But OP and her brother were determined to rise above their circumstances. They poured their energy into building successful careers and achieving financial stability, enabling them to break free from the clutches of their unequal blended family.

While they kept their distance from their stepsiblings, their relationship remained civil, if not exactly friendly. It was a delicate balance they had struck. Recently, OP's stepfather made an audacious request: he asked her to chip in financially for their stepsister's house deposit.

Without skipping a beat, OP firmly declined, pointing out the unfair treatment they endured as children. Her stepfather, to his credit, expressed regret and admitted his mistakes from the past. But OP stood her ground, not willing to let history repeat itself.

Later, her mother chimed in, suggesting that OP could have refused without reopening old wounds. It left OP pondering her response, wondering if there was a more tactful way to handle the situation. Was she wrong to stand up for herself and her past grievances?

OP grew up poor, and stepfather only made things worse

Op and her brother made a good life for themselves

Stepfather didn't take the response well

OP stood her ground and declined her stepfather's request for financial assistance without initially mentioning their unequal treatment in childhood

Stepfather's behavior is unfair

The stepfather must realize the extent of his mistakes

It's astonishing that OP's mother remained married to someone who treated her children unfairly

Stepfather's remorseful excuses fail to justify his unfair treatment.

OP shouldn't give in to his demands

It's valid to remind OP's stepfather that OP and her brother were treated as second-class citizens

OP should disregard her mother advice

The stepfather's behavior is unacceptable

The situation that OP has faced within her blended family is undeniably challenging and filled with unfair treatment. The stepfather's favoritism towards his biological children and lack of support for OP and her brother is evident.

When the stepfather requested a significant financial contribution from OP, it served as a painful reminder of the past injustices they endured. OP's decision to firmly decline the request is a testament to her strength and resilience.

She rightfully recognizes that she is not obligated to provide financial assistance, especially considering the lack of support she received when she needed it most. The stepfather's expectation that OP should be generous in light of his previous actions is unreasonable and highlights the inherent unfairness of the situation.

The fact that OP's mother defends the stepfather's actions raises questions about her own judgment and choices in relationships. It is disheartening to see a parent not fully acknowledge the impact of unequal treatment on their child.

OP's stance serves as a reminder that she has the autonomy to decide how her hard-earned money should be used, and she is not obligated to support those who have shown her disregard in the past.

Damjan