One day, I refused to pay for her trip and told her to ask her “real dad” for money. No doubt, I did right! It was a valuable lesson she had learned.
“You’re not my real dad. You’ve never been! So stop acting like that!” Lara screamed at me when she asked why she had returned so late.
“I was just worried about you, honey,” I explained. “Why do you hate me so much? I’m your dad, after all!”
“Dad?! Are you serious?” Lara looked at me. “Don’t forget, you’re just someone my mom happened to meet after her divorce. That doesn’t make you my dad! So it’ll be better if you stayed within your limits!” Lara yelled at them.
After refusing to pay for her trip, my stepdaughter learned a valuable lesson. Lara ran upstairs before I could say anything and closed the door.
“But Lara…” Before I could say anything, Lara dashed upstairs and slammed the door.
I was tired. I was tired of the constant disrespect I received. I understand it’s not easy for teenagers to accept a stepparent, but this was the third time today that Lara had been so disrespectful.
I met Lara’s mother and my wife Claire 7 years ago. We didn’t fall in love at first sight, but you might compare it to two emotionally devastated people having a heart-to-heart talk and falling in love with each other. My wife had died in a vehicular accident, and Lara’s husband had left her for another man.
I didn’t have any children, but Claire had Lara, who was 15 when I met her. From the beginning of our relationship, Lara and I never got along, but it wasn’t for my lack of trying. It was because Lara just didn’t want to accept me as a dad. She was afraid I would cause havoc in the family.
Claire is a homemaker.
Claire is a homemaker. She’s never been a working woman, and she’s not interested either, so I am the breadwinner of the family. I pay for Lara’s school, clothes, trips, and anything and everything she asks for.
Whenever I fulfilled her wishes, I hoped Lara would acknowledge my efforts and give up her rude behavior. But sadly, the only thing that time changed was Lara’s attitude, from being disrespectful to me to hating me.
One day she approached me to ask for money to pay for a trip. She was planning to take her friends to Texas to attend a film festival. After that, they would tour the whole state. “I need the money by tonight so I can book the tickets,” Lara said that she was asking for money. “It will be a one-week trip.”
“Well, honey, don’t you think you should at least consult your mom about the trip before asking me for the money?” I asked.
Lara gave me a serious look.
Lara gave me a serious look. “She’s not going to say no! It’s always you who causes problems. Don’t mess things up this time, and just send the money to me!”
Lara told me that I felt awful, but I kept my cool. “Fine, I’ll transfer the money. But I need to know who’s going with you. The boys, in particular. I’m hoping Kevin isn’t among them.” Lara had attempted to sneak Kevin in last week. Trust me, he was not the right guy.
When Lara heard Kevin’s name in that context, though, she lost her calm. “Why are you always after Kevin? Oh wait, I get it. You don’t want me to get close to the people I like. First, you tried separating mom and me, and now your new target is Kevin!”
I was taken aback. “There’s nothing like that, Lara. He’s not a nice guy, so I don’t want you hanging out with him. That’s all!”
Lara was furious.
“You think Kevin’s not nice?!” Lara was furious. “And what about the people who pretend to act like they can control other people’s lives? For example, you, my so-called FATHER!”
I was devastated. “How can you talk to me like that, Lara? I’ve always cared for you and loved you. I’ve been patient with you, despite your rude behavior, and this is how you treat me after being so polite to you?”
Lara rolled her eyes. “Look, I don’t care what you think. Stop creating a scene and just transfer the money, okay?”
“No, I won’t,” I retorted. “I think this time you should ask your ‘real dad’ for the money!”
Lara thought that, as every time before, she would get away from her rude behavior. But I was done. I was done being kind. I didn’t want to encourage her obstinacy by always complying with her wishes, so I said no.
Lara’s trip was not my responsibility. Photo by Pexels Lara’s tears welled up in her eyes.
Lara’s eyes welled up with tears. She dashed up to Claire and told her everything that happened. But Claire took my side. Lara was furious and ran to her room. She declared that she felt like an orphan even though she had a family.
I was left alone to think for a while after the heated exchange. Claire suggested that if I allowed Lara to have space, things would improve. However, I knew it was not a good idea. Claire and I had been married for about a year and Lara and our relationship had not changed much in that time.
However, I didn’t lose hope. I tried again to resolve the situation, but this time with more patience. I went to Lara’s room that night. She’d refused to eat dinner and hadn’t left her room since the tense conversation.
“I understand you’re upset, but it’s not the food’s fault,” Lara was silent as I set the food down on her side table. “Come quickly and eat something.”
Lara didn’t want dinner so I brought food. Photo by Pexels Lara answered quietly.
“I’m not hungry,” Lara replied quietly. “Please leave!”
I went to sit beside her. “I’m sorry for being rude to you, honey. But believe me, I don’t want you to end up in trouble. That’s why I asked about Kevin. I love you, and I care for you. I hope you know that.”
To my surprise, Lara’s eyes welled up with tears. “Why did it have to be me? Just why? I thought dad loved me, but he didn’t. Last week he refused to see me and today when I asked him for money, he said he doesn’t want to take responsibility for me anymore. He also told me not to call him again!”
“It’s not your fault, honey,” I said, wiping away my tears. “He doesn’t understand how lucky he is to have a daughter like you. Please stop crying. You deserve the best!”
Lara was unable to stop crying after realizing how much she loved me | Photo: Pexels
You won’t believe me, but Lara hugged me and started crying even more. All she said while sobbing was that she’d been a terrible person all this while, and she’d prove to be the best daughter. “I’m sorry, dad! I’m so sorry! I never respected you and always hurt your feelings.”
I was overwhelmed with emotion. It was the first time Lara called me father. “It’s fine, honey. Mom and I love you!” I hugged her and said, “I love you, dad.” “I’m glad you realized your mistake.”
Lara fulfilled her promise. She has not been disrespectful towards me since that day. Last week, after winning a competition, Claire gave a speech about Claire to me, and she called me the greatest dad in the entire world. I was so happy.
This story has many lessons.
- Sometimes love and patience can be all that is needed to make things work. Lara’s father handled the whole thing brilliantly.
- Relationships are built on love and care, not necessarily blood. The way Lara’s stepdad loved her proves this.