"I think the first thing you both need to do, though, is to adjust your attitudes in the situation. I know this sounds a bit accusatory, but hear me out. You describe Emma, who is a child, as a "spoiled brat." You don't just see her behavior as bratty, but her personality as bratty and somewhat irredeemable. Children can pick up on when they aren't liked, and-like it or not-when you married Diana, you also made a commitment to Emma that includes being there."
"Emma is, to put it mildly, a spoiled brat. She refuses to share, will whine and throw tantrums when she can't have her way, and does all in her power to make Shania's life miserable when it's Diana's turn for custody. My wife recently suggested having my daughter stay with my ex whenever she has Emma "to keep the peace." My ex and I share 50/50 custody, and I greatly value the time I get to spend with my daughter."
A blended family faces conflict when a stepchild acts entitled and mistreats a stepsibling. Labeling a child as irredeemable damages relationships because children sense dislike. A stepparent's commitment includes supporting the stepchild and preserving shared custody time for the biological child. Removing the biological child to avoid conflict undermines fairness and parental responsibility. Parents should present a united front, set consistent boundaries and consequences, and teach empathy and appropriate behavior. Addressing underlying control issues, modeling calm responses, and pursuing family therapy or mediation can help integrate the family and protect both children's well-being.
Read at Slate Magazine
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