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StepMom(really stepgrandmom) to an ungrateful 10 year old boy

MakingIt's picture

My 10 yr old step-grandson has been living with us since July last yr. I hate it. Mom had him at age 16 or so, never been married, 3 baby-daddies and just gave birth to her 4th child last month and lives in Florida. Her dad, my husband discussed taking eldest son because we felt it best to get him out of that ghetto environment. I'm regretting my decision. Step GS is very smart and smart alleck. He likes to argue with granddad like an adult, he doesn't like taking baths, doesn't want to clean his room, he gets an attitude with me when I tell him to do something. We've spanked him, took away privileges, Xbox 360. He's a ghetto child. Boy's father throws up gang signs and curses on Facebook. I feel like I don't wanna take care of this child any more and that the mother should get back in church and take care of all her kids. She said we would get his child support money $80 a week but quickly changed it to $100.00 a month. Well before & after school care is $65.00. I told my husband that he can't stay here another school year. I feel guilty because I don't want him living with us. We just got married in 2010 and I feel like we are sacrificing our lives by taking care of my stepdaughter's child. I'm not happy at all. We treat him well and take care of him very well. I was basically unemployed so I was the one that had to wake this little boy up for school and almost every day was a struggle getting him up and making him washup, brush his teeth & hair. Sometimes he would squint his eyes at me because he's mad. I told 'you pierce your eyes at me again, you're gonna get a spanking'. He's very grown and I don't care too much for his attitude. I want him to go back immediately. Need some advice. I shouldn't feel guilty should I??? He's had behavior problems at school. Teacher said he's very intelligent, Harvard-material. But to me that funky attitude he has, takes away from all that. PLEASE HELP!!! LOL. I'm very unhappy and I cringe when I see him get off the school bus in the afternoon. Sad

Comments

MakingIt's picture

Yes, he respects me when my husband(his granddad) makes him respect me because he's living in my house. It's ridiculous; I'm ready to send grandson back to Florida at end of school year. I told my husband the other day that he can't stay another school yr with us. SGS has good and bad moments. He doesn't like to be told what to do and loves you when you buy him stuff.Always has an attitude about everything.

Mom2mine's picture

My SS9 is the same way-VERY intelligent but VERY lacking in the common sense and behavior departments! My advice to you would be that if he refuses to clean his room.....leave nothing in there but a bed on the floor....that way your only responsibility is to vacuum-nothing to pick up! When he refuses to take a bath-refuse to take him for a haircut and shop for a whole new wardrobe at the Salvation Army! Make sure they are Ragged looking clothes! And THEN-you tell him if he wants his nice things back-he will start doing chores and such around the house to EARN his things back....and every time he cops an attitude or back talks-he owes you!!

Tough Love is difficult and requires you to be consistent and to be able to see through your Childs BS....but if you can get your husband on board-he will either shape up or ship out-either way-there should be nothing for you to get upset about anymore....just say "You owe me a Dollar!" every time he acts up-and leave it at that....or maybe you should start eith a quarter since he's there full time! Ha!

I hope it gets better for you soon! He is heading for the teenage years and it will only be down hill from there! Sad

MakingIt's picture

Thanks for your advice. Let me clarify: SGS will take a bath but he always has an attitude or an argument as to why he shouldn't take one. Mostly everything we tell him to do, he either argues with you and explains why he should or shouldn't do it (with his little 10yr-old reasoning) or there will be a delay (like passive-aggressive) when you tell him to do it. It's like he'll do it on his own time. It's okay. I'm pushing and preparing for him to leave if I have to take him to Florida myself. I've been made to feel guilty because I don't want him here. It's okay, he has a mother and father in Florida and we only have limited guardianship.