Family and Divorce
Hi, I'm brand-new to this website. I was in therapy for 8 years, but it didn't end very well and I just need some help.
I'm a teenager living with my father and his girlfriend (plus her two sons and my sister). My dad's divorce was finalized at the beginning of April, but it had been going on since May of last year.
This has been really confusing for me. I feel like I'm getting mixed emotions from everyone around me— especially my dad. I've already lost my mom due to her being a narcissist and alcoholic who refuses to get help (she literally drinks while on her antipsychotics and antidepressants... she knows what she is doing) and I don't want to lose my dad either, but it feels like the little connection I had with him, even before the divorce and within the two months I had with him before he moved and then I had to flee, is just fading.
I'm not sure how he feels about me anymore. We fight so much. Sometimes he just gives me the silent treatment.
Like today (Easter Sunday), he was out Ubering the whole day so his gf's kids were the ones to hide the eggs for my sister and I had to keep her away from them to "keep the magic". We were already in my room, playing Roblox, and my dad called me to tell me to take her outside to distract her— but, again, we were already doing something (which I told him), and I knew she wouldn't want to be outside really and neither did I, so I told him I was keeping her away from them and that her going out ONCE was an accident and I immediately called her back as soon as I realized. And he got mad. He didn't like that I was "talking back", but I was doing what I was told minus the going outside.
He got mad at me later again over text because I told him to stop treating me like a 5 year old who can't think. For context, last week I had tripped before taking a shower because BOTH of my feet had fallen asleep and I only thought one had, resulting in me spraining my toes and feet and being unable to walk for two days (which I thought would get me some pity (yes, I am one of those people who think getting hurt will finally make people like me somehow), newsflash, it didn't). So for the last week, both him and his gf have been telling me to wait before I get up... WHICH IS ANNOYING AS ***! I am 16, and they constantly flip between "you're only 16" and "you're almost 17" (am I an adult or kid at this point?). So after the text, he got mad and told me to not be rude to him and then shut off my phone because I wasn't coming out of the bathroom (I have IBS, I had a stomachache all day, and I had *** at least 3 times within the hour I was in there).
I have more stories and experiences like this. I am just so confused as to what he really wants from me. Please help. Sorry for dumping all of this.
@yellowWatermelon7907
HI. Welcome to 7 cups. And congratulations on your first post!
There's a lot you are having to deal with right now, it's not at all surprising you are finding it difficult. That transition from childhood to adulthood involves a lot of change, which is hard for everyone. I remember the mess it was for me. However it all sorted out in the end. So I encourage you to hang on in there. It's rough and unfair but you can learn useful skills here, such as de-escalation.
And don't underestimate the impact of alcohol. Alcoholism is a disease that affects the whole family, not just the alcoholic. And the effects can take decades to resolve. Maybe a support group such as ala-teen might be helpful for you.