Dilemma: my boyfriend's daughter is being very rude to me

Dilemma: partner's rude daughter

I am a divorcée and have been seeing a man four years older than me who is a widower. 

We each have a daughter, and his daughter has been very friendly to me, though we have only met a few times. A month ago I introduced him to my daughter, they go along well and I saw myself enjoying a real family again; but recently his daughter has completely changed, saying disparaging things about me to him and turning down invitations. 

I wonder whether I should tackle her about her change in behaviour, or whether it may be something in her own life I don't know about.

Katharine Whitehorn's advice

There may be something in her life, I've no means of knowing; but if she's being unfriendly towards you I doubt if there'd be much point in you "tackling" her. 

It's more likely that it was meeting your daughter – a potential rival for her father's affections – which changed her attitude to you, and I'd say it was up to her father to reassure her lovingly that nothing will ever replace her in his heart. 

Men can often be reluctant to open discussions about feelings, but in a situation like this I think you have to persuade him it's really vital for all your sakes that he wins his daughter round.

Read our ten tips for new step parents.