Teen Slaps Dad’s Fiancée With A Reality Check After She Tries To Play Second Mom

Some kids grow up learning to navigate bedtime routines and school schedules, and others grow up learning how to tiptoe around the wreckage of their parents’ failed marriage, which could be incredibly painful.

Today’s Original Poster (OP) asked if she was in the wrong for telling her dad’s fiancée, who also happened to be the reason her parents divorced, that she would always pick her mom over her.

More info: Reddit

While the intention might be good, there’s something exhausting about someone who constantly pushes for closeness when the vibe just isn’t mutual

A woman and man having a serious conversation on a rustic outdoor bench, surrounded by greenery and dried plants.

Image credits: RDNE Stock project / Pexels (not the actual photo)

The author’s father had an affair with another woman and ended up getting engaged to her

Text from a story where a daughter expresses loyalty to her mom over her dad's fiancée.

Text recounting a person's discovery about their dad and Ronnie, leading to strong feelings and awareness of family changes.

Text recounting a woman's attempt to parent her fiancé's daughter.

Text describing a child's mixed feelings towards dad's fiancée, highlighting relationship struggles.

Image credit: Alone-Huckleberry560

A woman and man smiling at a smartphone in a cozy kitchen setting, discussing family dynamics and relationships.

Image credits: Gary Barnes / Pexels (not the actual photo)

This left her with a strong dislike for the woman who has made it a goal to be equal with her mother

Text about a woman's effort with her fiancé's daughter, reflecting relationship dynamics.

Text discussing a woman's relationship struggle in becoming a second mom to her fiancé's daughter.

Text about a woman's attempt to be a second mom and the resulting relationship challenges.

Text about a woman attempting to be a second mom to her fiancé’s daughter, expressing coldness and distance.

Image credit: Alone-Huckleberry560

Woman talks to her fiancé’s daughter on a sofa, creating a bonding moment in a colorful room.

Image credits: cottonbro studio / Pexels (not the actual photo)

While the relationship with her father has gotten better over time, he also convinced her to forget the infidelity and accept the new woman

Text discusses family tensions as woman tries to connect with fiancé's daughter, facing challenges and emotional strain.

Text message expressing reluctance to be a second mom, highlighting family challenges.

Text about a woman facing a reality check as she tries to bond with her fiancé’s daughter.

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Image credit: Alone-Huckleberry560

Woman and her fiancé's daughter at breakfast table, sharing a moment.

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However, the author refused, so when the new woman dragged her to go dress shopping, she wasn’t too excited

Text about a woman trying to bond with her fiancé’s daughter during wedding planning efforts.

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Text conversation about a woman trying to bond with fiancé’s daughter turns tense when phone boundaries are crossed.

Text discussing a woman's struggle to be a second mom, feeling sidelined by her fiancé's daughter.

Image credit: Alone-Huckleberry560

Woman helping bride adjust dress in fitting room, showcasing second mom role.

Image credits: Los Muertos Crew / Pexels (not the actual photo)

She was on her phone most of the time, and when her father’s fiancée realized she was texting her mom, she got really upset

Text reading, "I rolled my eyes and she kept rambling on. So then I looked her in the eye and told her my mom would ALWAYS come first.

Text expressing a daughter's loyalty to her mom over her father's fiancée, highlighting a family dynamic challenge.

Text expressing conflict where a dad is upset because Ronnie stopped her consultation, leading to hours of crying.

Image credit: Alone-Huckleberry560

The author eventually told the fiancée that her mother would always come first and that she didn’t want to be close to her

When the OP was just six, her parents split because her dad had an affair with another woman. Although the relationship between her dad and the woman didn’t stick the first time around, or the second, or even the third time, they were back for round four—and this time, they got engaged.

Through all the breakups and reconciliations, the OP’s opinion never changed: the new woman was not welcome in her life, especially not as some kind of bonus mom. And while her relationship with her dad saw some improvement over the years, things remained awkward with the new woman.

The woman, for her part, was determined to win over the OP and maybe a little too determined. She wanted to be seen as equal to—or even more important than—her mom, which was never going to happen. The OP was polite but emotionally distant, and it drove the woman up the wall. Fast forward to the present when the new woman is now dress shopping and dragging the OP along for the ride.

Instead of sharing some heartfelt bonding moment, the OP was busy texting her mom, and that’s when the woman lost it. She grabbed the OP’s phone, leading to a confrontation that ended with her in tears after the OP told her that her mother would always come first and that she didn’t want to be close to her either. When her father heard about this, he was furious.

Woman in polka dot dress wiping tears, sitting on chair, emotional moment related to her fiancé’s daughter.

Image credits: Andrea Piacquadio / Pexels (not the actual photo)

According to Talk Space, infidelity can leave deep emotional scars on children, with lasting effects that go far beyond the initial betrayal. They add that kids of unfaithful parents are twice as likely to be unfaithful themselves later in life. They also reveal that based on certain studies, 75% of children feel betrayed by the cheating parent, 80% say it impacts their view on love, and 70% report general trust issues.

MedicineNet also affirms that step-parents often make critical mistakes when trying to bond with their partner’s children, especially after a complicated past like infidelity. Common mistakes include trying too hard to please or imposing one’s own rules without agreement.

They also highlight that setting unrealistic expectations, overstepping boundaries as a step-parent, and taking things personally, are mistakes that are often made by step-parents, and so, instead of forming a bond, resentment deepens on the side of the step-child, making it harder for everyone involved.

In this situation, the OP is clearly expected to validate her dad’s relationship, soothe the stepmother’s feelings, and let go of her own hurt for the sake of peace, which is what WebMD refers to as a form of parentification. This is described as a dynamic where a child is pushed to “grow up too fast” by taking on adult responsibilities.

Netizens showed strong support for the OP, affirming that she’s not a jerk. Many pointed out that the new woman overstepped by trying to act like a second mother and expected affection she hadn’t earned. They also criticized the father for prioritizing his relationship over his daughter’s feelings and history.

What do you think about this situation? Was the OP too harsh, or was she just setting a healthy boundary? We would love to hear your thoughts!

This left the fiancée in tears and the author, wondering if she was wrong for speaking out, but netizens all agreed that she did nothing wrong

Comment about a woman acting as stepmom, discussing family dynamics and conflict over replacing a mother.

Comment discussing a woman trying to be a stepmom and facing backlash.

Comment discussing woman being a 'second mom' and family dynamics.

Reddit comment discussing relationship dynamics and respect for a fiancé's daughter.

Reddit comment saying "Your dad's an idiot" by user Cute-Profession9983.

Text comment discussing family trust issues and broken relationships.

Text conversation expressing a daughter's refusal to accept her dad's fiancé as a second mom.

Comment discussing a woman acting as a second mom to her fiancé’s daughter, receiving a cold reception.

Comment discussing dynamics between a woman, fiancé, and his daughter, highlighting loyalty and relationship tension.

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