Family Stories Part three

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Family Stories: Part Three The Lovely Stepparent Welcome back to Family Stories, where the trauma comes free, but speaking up about it comes with vindictive punishment! Today's story is about stepparents! Ah yes, those wonderful additions to the family who are supposed to love, support, and nurture children who aren't biologically theirs! Or, you know, just tolerate their existence because they wanted your mother without all that pesky baggage! And by baggage, I mean children! "Pack your bags, honey! We're ditching these little shits and flying off to Mexico!" Well, not with us, obviously! Our family vacations consisted of driving to visit my stepfather's family! Ah yes, nothing quite like a family road trip to visit people who treat you like second-class citizens compared to their biological grandchildren! Especially my stepfather's son! The golden boy! Every family needs one! Someone has to demonstrate what unconditional love and preferential treatment look like so the rest of us know what we're missing! It's like a family rewards program! Unfortunately, my brother and I weren't eligible for membership! But today's story is about a particularly memorable childhood experience! Picture this: Your lovely stepfather is really getting into his parenting routine! You know, screaming, yelling, losing his absolute shit over some unfinished chore, I'd imagine! Just another Tuesday in paradise! Except this time, there was a slight problem! My mother came home unexpectedly. And wouldn't you know it? She could hear him yelling before she even walked through the door! So she opened the door and slammed it shut, making absolutely certain he knew she was home! And just like that... Silence! It's a miracle! The screaming stopped! She asked, "What's going on?" "Oh, nothing." "Weren't you just yelling at the kids?" "No..." HAHA! GOTCHA, BITCH! Apparently, the man had two parenting modes: raging authoritarian when nobody was watching, and innocent little angel the second his wife walked through the door! What a remarkable transformation! And wouldn't you know it? My mother was furious! So furious, in fact, that she almost left him! Almost! We even went apartment hunting! Ah yes, nothing says "I'm putting my children first" like touring a few shitty apartments before deciding the current arrangement isn't so bad after all! Now, I can't say exactly what changed her mind. But I have my suspicions! Apparently, protecting your children sounds fantastic in theory, right up until it threatens your own comfort and lifestyle! I believe there may have even been an apology somewhere in there. A real heartfelt, half-assed, "Sorry you caught me" sort of apology! But here's a funny thing about apologies. They don't mean a whole hell of a lot when the behaviour continues! And that's what makes this family dynamic so fascinating! You grow up being told to respect your elders, watch your tone, and take responsibility for your actions. But apparently, those rules only apply to children! Because when an adult screams at you, that's discipline! When you question it, that's disrespect! When they mistreat you, that's parenting! And when you finally grow up and start setting boundaries? Well, now you're the problem! How dare you hold an adult accountable for their behaviour! How dare you remember things that happened! And how dare you bring up the past when everyone else has worked so hard to pretend it never happened! But hey, at least my mother put on a lovely little performance of "I'll always do what's best for my children!" Terms and conditions apply, of course! Offer void where personal comfort, relationships, or lifestyle may be affected! And that, ladies and gentlemen, is today's lesson! Some people don't want to be good parents. They just want to be perceived as good parents. And apparently, there's a pretty big difference! Thanks for tuning in to Family Stories, where accountability is disrespectful, boundaries are abrasive, and the family motto is: "We don't talk about what happened. We just blame the person who remembers!"