We all know the story of Cinderella and her wicked step mother well as families who have a mum or dad, brother or sister who live with mental illness and PTSD our lives can feel isolated. Why me we often ask anf deel that life can be unfair. Sometimes it is and sometimes it isnt.
People have no idea what our lives are actually like, some children are abused physically, others emotionally. Some children are spoilt beyond belief but shown no real love while others are shown unconditional love and have very few material things.
Well I have seen a story about Cinderella and her wicked step mother but this one has a twist. Daddy is not a merchant he is a Vietnam Veteran who suffers from PTSD and the loss of a limb.
The wicked step mother is precisely that, Cinders is Cinders but sadly there is no prince charming.
We all know how the story goes but here are the adjustments. THere were different rules for each child, one parent thought that child A was spoilt, the other parent believed that Child B was spoilt.
If Child A was mentioned the wicked step mother was causing a fight, out for trouble after all she hated the child with a passion. She was the story's bully and bad guy after all.
Child B tried hard to please knowing that if anything was said even when it was upset a row would start and end up being told to leave.
Child B believed that child A should pay its own way, be treated equally and not allowed to speak to the step parent like muck on its shoe. When child B was rude both parents made sure it was known there was trouble. But if child A was rude nothing could be said. The list goes on
Child A
Thinks it is the font of all knowledge, cannot accept it is ever wrong
Believes that it can say what it feels regardless of who or what it destroys
Lies and steals knowing there are no repercussions
Had one vehicle purchased for it and a large lump given towards second, expecting third to magically appear
Believes that hacking into things for own gain is normal
Feels that it is acceptable to totally disrespect the step parent – after all they are nothing
Expects to be driven around free of charge never offers to pay for fuel or even a coffee and will not contribute to fuel even when asks always has excuse
Does not visit when either parent is in hospital
Earns twice as much as other child but cannot save with excuses for everything
Does not feel the need to answer the step parents calls or messages and knows the natural parent will defend it
Has to have a birthday present
Expects to be treated with love and respect at Christmas regardless of how they treat others
Choses to ignore the step parent’s birthday and other celebrations with feeble excuses year upon year then does the same for child B unless forced to do something
Tells natural parent that step parent is a bully or picking on them knowing it will cause trouble
Has threatened and verbally abused step parent with no repercussions
Moved out of house, planned months in advance and told each parent it was because of other parent
Expects the step parent to sort out their problems yet treats them like s…
Tells either parent what it feels it can to benefit itself
Child B
Fluffs up frequently but laugh at its own mistakes
Hates conflict will run away from a battle unless pushed to extreme then heaven help the world
Terrified of stealing a penny sweat and brutally honest to the point tact does not exist
Purchased first three vehicles without a hand out
Would willingly pay for an upgrade on the equipment or purchase its own
Treats the step parent with the same love and respect as it has for its natural parent
Pays for all journeys by filling the tank and ends up paying for child a journeys as well
Would camp at the hospital for either parent
Will save but will also ensure that both parents have food, fuel and are taken out for a meal
Will speak to natural parent daily and will message step parent or phone regardless of time
Not had a birthday present since it was 14 and does not say a word
Will miss out at Christmas to allow child a to have everything they desire to prevent arguments at Christmas
Loves to find something unusual for all family members including child A regardless of occasion “who needs a birthday to show how much you care”
Tells natural parent to chill and not let the upset get to them to avoid arguments
Has verbally abused step parent and faced the consequences for several months
Got told to “f… off” and kicked out by step parent. Did get apology several weeks later but the damage was done child B now feels they are not truly wanted
Tries to sort out the problems of all the family regardless of cost or time spent doing so.
Unable to speak its mind for fear of trouble for self and natural parent
Child A continued to cause upset by playing the parents off against each other after all the only thing it cared about was itself. The parents loved each other once, but this soon disappeared after row upon row temper tantrum after trantrum. After all no parent should have to chose between blood or water
The wicked step mother saved and saved. One day when enough money had been saved to live comfortably she left. So you are thinking what a witch the step mother is taking the father for every cent then dumping him when she got what she wanted Maybe you are right..........
But here is the twist
The wicked step mother left the savings in the fathers account, never touched a penny. Years of being told she could leave and trying to ignore the upset had beaten her. Years of crying herself to sleep walking around Walmart counting the change and juggling the shopping to buy beer for the father going without to ensure that others got. Years of coping with the fathers health needs, never wanting to stand up for herself knowing it would cause arguements meant she bottled things up till she finally cracked . The evil woman walked away with the clothes on her back nothing more and disappeared never to be heard of again
Child B spoke to the wicked step mother each day, after all she was its parent and some bonds cannot be broken
The father, well I would like to think that Child A stepped up to the mark and looked after him in his old age, but knowing how selfish Child A actually is I doubt it.
I guess what I am trying to say is speak up for what you believe in, dont worry if you dont think you fit in and more importantly always try to do your best, treat everyone equally and dont ever feel you cannot tell someone they are hurting you because one day you will crack up and even if they are sorry the damage will be done and the hurt too painful to mend
Huggles