Step Families

GobbledyGook

Thinking about it some more if anyone should be annoyed then, imo, it should be you.

You shouldn't have had to tell the SW - your OH should. Your step-daughter needs the adults in her life to be looking out for and protecting her and the first in that line should be her father!

Buddingblonde

He wont pay by direct debit or cheque as the family member wants it in cash - this situation has been going on for years when maintenence did affect benefits.

jackieglasgow

I don't think you were out of order at all. Poor girl, she hasn't had much of a chance, has she? If I were you I would be more pee'd off with the OH who appears to think that part time access equals part time responsibilty for his own child.

Buddingblonde

She is a very intelligent child and god knows what she could achieve with a good education - she is one of the smartest people I know - too smart for her own good.

jackieglasgow

Well its about time her father got his finger out and helped the poor child out before she loses all her chances in life.

Buddingblonde

I cannot make excuses for him - he had a poor upbringing within a household of numerous alcoholics coming and going. He is also an only child so suffered this for years. IMO this should make him want to do more not less!

jackieglasgow

Absolutely, and remembering your thread last year about the situation, he has let this go on for yet another year with thing going from what seems to be bad, to worse. What happened at the Children's Panel last year?

Buddingblonde

That was a joke!!! The SW told OH the wrong place to go and so OH didnt make it and the hearing went on without him - the SW didnt even try for a continuance knowing that OH wanted to go!
This is the old SW who was next to useless - the new one said that that should never have happened and that we should have complained! I tried to get Oh to complain but as usual he did nothing. The panel decided that as DD was attending school again (she stopped shortly afterwards) that the problem had been resolved.

Buddingblonde

The only reason that there is a new SW is that they thought that the case was sorted - in fact DD was going in for registration every morning so they didnt pick up on her bunking off. It is only when the new SW dug deeper that she found out she wasnt going and that in fact we existed. Her case was due to be closed.

jackieglasgow

That all just sounds awful, poor child. It sounds like you are the only adult in her life trying to do the right thing by her. Your OH needs a kick up the backside. Don't know what to suggest, you sound like you've tried with him, is he like this about other aspects of his life?