I have a very complicated dilemma. My husband "Brad" wants to spend more time with his biological daughter "Colleen", who is also my niece. He was once married to my sister. They got divorced when Colleen was very young and when my sister remarried, Brad decided to step aside and my sister's husband took over as Colleen's dad. Now that my sister and her husband are having problems with their marriage, Colleen is living with Brad and me. I am afraid that Colleen is now bonding with Brad. She is clinging to him and using him as a replacement father now that my sister's marriage is on the rocks. I think this is very harmful to Colleen but my sister doesn't think so. What should I do?
Sincerely,
Ashley Abbott,
in Genoa City.
Can't you see that Brad loves you? You don't really care about your niece Colleen, all you care about is that Brad has enough time for you and your baby, Abby. You are scared because Abby is not Brad's biological daughter but Colleen is. You think that Brad loves Colleen more because she is his biological daughter. You don't want Colleen to like Brad too much and want him as her father instead of your sister's husband. You need to take a self-esteem course because you should not be feeling inferior to a thirteen year old girl. All Brad wants to do is spend time with his daughter. He is a good husband and he will still spend time with you and Abby. FYI, Brad can love more than two people. As for Colleen, she is trying to use Brad as a replacement for her other father but with time she will understand that she is lucky to have two loving fathers. You have voiced your opinion to your sister about Colleen clinging to Brad but it is in your sister's hands. She feels that Brad is a positive influence in her daughter's life. You are not Colleen's mother so get over it. My advice: Let Brad spend as much time with Colleen as he wants. Brad will be happier and love you for being so understanding. He will make more time for you and Abby. See how easy it is? Stop acting like an insecure thirteen year old and everything will work out. BTW, don't ask Olivia for relationship help. Look how screwed up her life turned out.
Lots of attitude,
Baby Know-it-all.