Is it too late 2 1/2 weeks later to talk to a 10 1/2 year old about her disrespectful behavior

Question

My stepdaughter behaved very disrespectfully when visiting my partner's dying nanna in hospital and upset some of the family who were also there. No one, including her parents, said anything to her at the time. We wont be seeing her again for a couple of weeks because she has gone on holiday. I feel something needs to be said to her about her disgraceful conduct. Is it too late? Who should talk to her about it? Should I do it if her parents wont?

See my other question for more information http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqXouHg4aXjcDxXGih2H_6jty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20080808050430AABgoZV

Answer 1

Yes it is too late.  The child's behavior obviously isn't her fault.  Neither you nor her other parent spoke up to correct her at the time of the incident, which tells me this child has no rules or boundaries to live by.  You can't now two weeks later expect to correct something that is already past.  The child is not to blame for the way she has been raised. That blame sits squarely on the shoulders of the adults around her.

Answer 2

Talk to her parents. ask if they think she behaved badly. don't overreact wit it though, this kind of thing can be very difficult and her parents might take offence to it too.

Answer 3

You can still talk to her but watch what you say because you aren't the actual "parent" but you can talk to her but it won't be as affective as it would have been if something was done right away.  

Answer 4

You shouldn't have to correct her if both of her parents were there. One of them should have said something to her. It's probably too late to say anything to her but talk to your partner and make sure he corrects her next time she steps out of line like this. It's hard when the kid is only with you a minority of the time because the parent she is with most of the time will have a bigger influence on her behaviour

Answer 5

talk to her.  she still needs to apologize.

Answer 6

Why don't you talk to your partner about this incident first? Let him know what's going on and so... Let your partner decides since you are not the bio-parents of your stepdaughter. She might probably listen to your partner better.



It's never too late to teach someone to be good. It's better than never. I'm sure your partner will appreciate it. :)

Don't worry too much. Your stepdaughter will have to take some time to learn to be good too. :) All the best!