I have a situation with my step-daughter and I'm not sure how to handle it.
My husband and I faded away over 10 years ago. In those years, we never bad-mouthed JWs and usually tried to avoid the subject if it was raised. We've never raised the issue with my husband's children. His son is married and his daughter 17 and just graduated.
Two years ago, while I was attending my grandmother's funeral, my brother began berating me and demanded to know why I didn't go to the meetings anymore. I tried to avoid the subject but he was so hateful that I just snapped and gave him an earful. He responded by telling everyone that I was an apostate.
A few months ago, my step-daughter and step-son wrote letters to my husband informing him that they heard that we were apostates. They wanted to know why we left and only wanted to hear from their father. They said that they were going to have to shun us if this was true. I was really hurt by this.
My husband chose to ignore the letter and still talks to them every week on the phone. They haven't visited in over two years. I decided not to try and talk to them because I don't want to cause problems or make them feel like they can't talk to their Dad. I pass along best wishes and greeting through their Dad but that's it. When they mail things they only address it to there Dad, there is never any mention of me. I figure I am being shunned and that's fine, I just don't them to shun their Dad.
So here's the problem. My step-daughter recently went on a graduation trip overseas. My husband and I decided to send her some money for her trip. I suggested he send her a higher amount of money then what he was planning to send and she ended up receiving several hundred dollars. We both signed the card. I was happy to do this but I feel that I deserved to be thanked for it. She called to thank him but there was no mention of thanking me. She just sent a postcard and it is only addressed to him and there is no mention of me.
I'm trying not to let it get to me but this has really hurt my feelings. Should she be called out for being rude or should I have known better than to send her any money? I don't want to stir up another drama but I'm sick and tired of being treated like a doormat.