You are here

A photographic moment(0)

CLove's picture

So, just a quickie.

I got an email notice that SD17 powersulk is failing ....wait for it...PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS.

I texted husband and emailed teacher to confirm. Its a missing assignment. I had a variety of thoughts passing through my head by said and did nothing.

Spoke on the phone about it, sort of chuckling. Its her week with us, and shes "not answering her phone for pickup"

Husband is - chagrined is the right word. WTF is another right word. Like WTF, it had to be PHOTOGRAPHY? Excuses - the day it was due, she had Drs appointment (shes had 5 so far in the month of January...) and its "hard to get the camera because the class shares it."

I am sort of chuckling about it because "wow Deja vu hoohoooooooo".

Because Ive had my WTF moments in this area already. Like when she was failing ART and ORCHESTRA .  And I spent over 100$ for art supplies and a painting workshop, did the emails and zooms, but was texted accusations of harrassment and "you didnt do anything to help me, my grades went up because of meeeee....."! Yeah.

So, I chuckle, and remember. Tell husband "well, she needs to graduate, but I guess you can just stop paying after May, and she goes to summer school, which gives her a reason why not to get a job..." hehe.

Comments

notsurehowtodeal's picture

Why are you getting emails from her school? I thought you completely disengaged from all the schooling stuff. While this seemed to go ok, why invite the problems that often happen when you become involved in her schooling?

CLove's picture

I needed a chuckle today. I dont really care, it was humorous. To hear the excuses I knew would happen.

Now Im tempted to tell husband Rags version of what to do: "burning platform, bare the a@@es" but I just know he will get defensive and pissy and redirect his frustration with her onto me. I feel like I avoided all that.

I administrate our shared email and get all kinds of fun things, like real estate listings...and look forward to the time I dont need to see anything high school related. It helps for scheduling because I do want to see her graduate...

ESMOD's picture

No CLOVE.. bad kittie!

Do not give your SO one iota of advice about his kid.  You have already inserted yourself far enough into this to risk some blowback.. he does not need your advice.. he won't take it.  All it will do is allow him to deflect his dissappointment and anger at you.  The one that pulled another scale from his eyes.

Your SD is no different than any other kid who gets caught procrastinating.. she has excuses.. reasons for the missing assignment.. maybe it is that she has been sick or at the doctor 5 times in the last month.. maybe it is that there are not enough cameras for the class... and that some kids are procrastinating about turning it back in so others can take their turn... in the end.. she will likely be able to go to her teacher.. get the assignment in late for at least partial credit.. and will eek out a grade that is passing.  

And.. I get that you want her to graduate.. but this is her life.. she will need to make it happen.. and your SO is not going to boot her along.. he is a lazy dude... he will let her figure it out.. and she appears to be a bit lazy.. but not totally stupid.. so she will likely get it figured out.

It's not funny.. it's just another learning lesson for her.. part of those mistakes we all make as kids.. as Rags noted... he did his fair share.. I did too.. and we all somehow manage to move forward learn and get past it.. or we flip burgers for a living.. it is what it is.. she isn't your kid.. let her parents deal.

CLove's picture

I still think its funny. Shes going to have a tough time of it in the future...and I hope that for her now, because easy doesnt really work in this case.

And now I am over and done.

AgedOut's picture

You know I love you to bits and pieces but you have to step far away from telling him thing. He uses you telling him as an excuse to be mad at you instead of holding her accountable for her own shit. Don't put yourself into that. Not worth the risk. 

CLove's picture

so not worth it.

thinkthrice's picture

Make a forwarding rule on stuff that pertains to the ingrate...auto forward to H.  Or better yet auto delete.

Repeat:  not your monkey, not your circus.

Rags's picture

As a former chronic procrastinating middle schooler, and early HS student,  I can say definatively that no one ever works as hard for an A as they do for an F.  The stress, investment in self delusion, avoidance, lies, dodging , etc, etc, etc, is exhausting and far more work than just doing the work and doing it to the best of your ability.

Let her flunk.  She is off the DH/CLove payroll either way when she turns 18.  She can go fight with FF for mommy TTs sofa.

Buh-by PS loser. (L)- on the forehead.  Oh, but wait. She rescued her grades all by herself before.... see how she manages to make that happen this time. Actually all by her lonesome.

Good riddance.

Though I know that this is heartbreaking for both you and DH.  The second time I ever saw my dad cry was when I finished HS.  I had two sophomore years.  I did graduate with honors.  The third time I saw him cry, was 11yrs affer HS graduation. When I finally completed my BS.  What I put my parents through, should have never happened. That is one of my very few regrets. They would say that I was not that bad.  I, think they have the rose colored selective memory that many parents have.

My SKid did not get the slack that I did. His mom and I did not tolerate from him what I put my parents through.  Or what my DW's three  younger sibs pulled.  DW was a HS honor student. Yes, she had a child at 16, but she was a rockstar student.  BIL1, BIL2, and SIL barely graduated. In fact, they all three barely got the project work due their Freshman year turned in the day before graduation in order to actually graduate.

SS, had our collective foot up his ass to the extent that he was scared shitless that he would be dumped at the homeless camp if he failed to graduate on time. So, he graduated on time and with honors.   That was followed by 8mos of being our beck and call chore boy before he reported for USAF BMT.  His mom and I are comforted that he had incredible leaders who are professionals at engaging young people to deliver effectively as members of a team, perform with professionalism, and hold themselves accountable.  Though failing to get out of bed, report to work on time, and deliver as ordered, can get them put in jail.  Where that same thing in a civilian job just gets them fired.  I perfer the get your head out of your ass or go to jail option that the military option holds over the heads of young people.

When the end comes, you can block anything from the HS.  No doubt those emails will not be missed.

la_dulce_vida's picture

Her sulking will be a real asset in the military. LOL She'll probably be discharged due to "anxiety" over having rules and expectations.

AlmostGone834's picture

Better get her in shape if she wants to go military... depending on the branch, they have different run times and push up times they have to complete in boot camp (for example, the army is a 2 mile run in 18:54). Is she physically fit? It's not something you can really prep for over a matter of a few weeks so might want to start early. 

CLove's picture

ok so military not at all an option

AlmostGone834's picture

Sorry... so many kids these days don't qualify for military service because of a lack of physical fitness. 

1st3rd5thWEInHell's picture

Whether she fails or not is her problem tbh

Idk what the law is in your state but where I am, child support is paid until 18 or graduation of high school whichever is later. So if she turns 18 but fails to graduate, your husband might be on the hook for the rest of the year depending on your state. It sucks

 

Thankfully my steps are dumb and most have dropped out or did a quick graduation alternate program so the ones who turned 18 were officially off.

Hoping the best for you and your finances. 

She will fail at life just like in school so I wouldnt be bothered if I were you except for the small child support detail

CLove's picture

Ive told husband "she needs to graduate hs or you keep paying". I was halfway joking with my comments of "oh well summer school just stop paying and see what happens."

She will sqeak by and graduate.

notarelative's picture

 "hard to get the camera because the class shares it."

Excuses. Excuses. One camera for the whole class to use. Must be some special camera!
There's no sign up sheet so that everyone has a turn before the assignment is due?

Summer school on the horizon. Child support through summer. 
Does the school let them walk for graduation if they have to go to summer school? 
If the family does graduation parties, I'd tell her no party until she actually finishes.
 

CLove's picture

I think she will squeak through and graduate.

No party for her, party for me - no more visitation Biggrin

advice.only2's picture

Just remember in CA it’s until 18 or graduated, so if she’s going to take summer school even if she’s 18 he might be on the hook to pay until she graduates.  Maybe ask a lawyer for clarification on that. 

Dogmom1321's picture

Unsubscribe to those emails. 

If I hear about SD13s grades, its only because I've caught wind of DH and SD13 arguing. Last time I heard DH ask "why are you failing math and not turning in assignments?" SD13 response: "Because she can't teach." LOL WTF, no you're just lazy. *eyeroll*

Not my place to tell DH though. Also, not a newsflash to him that's she is lazy, so it wouldn't change anything anyway. 

MissK03's picture

Call the school and take yourself off.... she only has a few months and there will be MORE emails.. You emailed the teacher....You can't control the urges. Control what YOU can control. 

ESMOD's picture

You can want a plan.. but she is very likely to not give it to you.. and based on her past history.. following up is problematic right?

I think you need to disengage completely from this because....

No matter what you do.. she will either graduate.. or not.. on time.. and it will never be because of your help.. but any failure you will own a piece of because you caused her extra stress.. so that becomes part of the excuse of why she didn't get it done.

Your husband is a doofus of a parent.. he doesn't care.. or perhaps he is so lazy about it because you overfunctioned for him.. but when you look back.. your "help" has most often resulted in more stress for you.. and whatever happened with your SD.. when it went bad you got blamed.. went good.. no credit... and honestly, your SO doesn't seem to value education.. or think it's that important to promote.. so YOU CANNOT CARE MORE THAN THE PARENT.

You also reallize that the reality is that your SD will be in your house after 18 if she wants to do that.. your SO won't cut her off.. she may choose to stay with mom.. but only to the point where mom or sister make that too toxic then she will boomerang back to dad's... and I dare say you have about zero say in that.. your SO won't stick to your boundaries.. when push comes to shove? his kid will be in his home.

I also get that you are extremely cheesed off at your SD.  She has been unnappreciative.. She has shown that she is not mature.. and that she will procrastinate.. and she will embarass you when you go out of your way to help her with opportunities.. the fact that you stick your neck out does not make her any  more interested in truly following through. She has also shown herself to be disloyal.. which when it comes to saving her own skin.. she saves it.. and throws you under the bus.. with dad.. with mom.  

The end result is that you aren't disengaged.. you DO care.. you actually seem to enjoy the fact that she has struggles.. and relish future failure.. whether that will happen or not.  That isn't disengagement.. 

You also have to realize that a lot of the hurt you have experienced has been because you put yourself out there.. and over and over again allowed others to take advantage.. I'm not saying you had to be a jerk.. but you have given them plenty of rope to hang you multiple times.

You probably would do well to make peace with the reality you have to face.. and become uninterested in her outcomes.. that is the disengagement.. not when you find it funny when she fails.. that you don't care.. because only she can impact the outcome.. and your SO won't protect your boundaries.. so if you stay.. that is what you have to accept.. and move on without letting it bother you.

I would almost suggest getting off this site.. stop posting because I think it keeps you  focused on your problems with her.. vs just ignoring her and her issues to the extent possible.

Dogmom1321's picture

THIS x10000. Even if DH and you agree on a "plan" you can't control if he follows through or not. You can both have certain stipulations... be enrolled in community college, hold a job, pay part of rent, etc. But if he is a pushover (like my DH sometimes as well) he might not have much follow through with his actions.And you very well might end up being a landing pad. 

This used to stress me out SO much! But I realized I can't force DH to make boundaries when SD13 turns 18, but I can hold my own. For example, if/when I move from our town, I won't have an adult SD move with us. I refuse. That would be my final straw and I would be willing to go toe-to-toe on not having SD move with us.

 

ESMOD's picture

unfortunately.. in steplife.. I think a lot of us find that we move that line in the sand.. lol.. because to not do it means our relationships are over.. so the boundary is only as good as our willingness to take the fire of holding our ground.. even if the result is our partners leaving.

CLove's picture

2 things Id like to respond to:

1. You also reallize that the reality is that your SD will be in your house after 18 if she wants to do that.. your SO won't cut her off.. she may choose to stay with mom.. but only to the point where mom or sister make that too toxic then she will boomerang back to dad's... and I dare say you have about zero say in that.. your SO won't stick to your boundaries.. when push comes to shove? his kid will be in his home.

My response: When push comes to shove, he will be paying her rent to me, or I will be paying a lowered portion of the mortgage & bills, because Ive decided I do not wish to further support her after 18. That is if by some strange twist of fate she "needs" to move in with us. If that push comes to shove moment happens, things will have to change. And I will be the enforcer. Because CPS is no longer available.

2. The end result is that you aren't disengaged.. you DO care.. you actually seem to enjoy the fact that she has struggles.. and relish future failure.. whether that will happen or not.  That isn't disengagement.. 

My response: I am not feeling bad about enjoying the fact that she has stome struggles that will end up in her growth. But actually my enjoyment is watching husband squirm because princess is doing wrong and he has no one to blame but her. Im amused that it has come to this. And also amused that its PHOTOGRAPHY. Im definitely not "relishing future failure", I respectfuly disagree strongly with you.

Ive disengaged to the point I feel I need to. Because soon I will need to re-engage to the point of discussions and expectations.

MissK03's picture

"But actually my enjoyment is watching husband squirm because princess is doing wrong and he has no one to blame but her."

WRONG!! He has HIMSELF to blame. I KNOW it's "her" responsiblity to do work but NEITHER of her parents pushed her!!! You continue to put blame on her lack of care in school when her parents did a terrible job raising her AND FF. 

THEY ARE TO BLAME! 

ESMOD's comment is perfect IMO. Very well stated. 

CLove's picture

SOoo at what point does the "child almost adult" take responsibility instead of blaming the "terrible upbringing"????????????

MissK03's picture

Some light isn't going to switch in her and all of a sudden become an A student her last few months. This is why you see generations of system abusers who don't know any better because their parents are... they weren't taught to strive for better....aka good grades, job, college etc. There was no parenting for the both of them..  Your DH and TT did nothing to help get these kids ready for adult hood. FFS his 24 old STILL doesn't drive! 

Please see that your husband and TT are at fault here.