Growing feelings for step-daughter
So I'm 37 and have been remarried for 5 years. My stepdaughter is 12 and is well into puberty- she could easily pass for 16 or older and acts much more maturely (for the most part) than her peers.
I'm finding myself having feelings for her that I know I shouldn't have. She's fun and flirty - but I'm sure it's just her being a young girl and has nothing to do with me. As my feelings for her have developed she has become very clingy and cuddly- always asking for hugs or kisses- this makes me uncomfortable, but I don't deny her because I don't deny kisses and hugs to our other male children and denying her might raise questions. How do you tell a girl that you can't hug or kiss her because it arouses you?
I know that these feelings aren't normal, and I know not to act on them- but I also don't know how to deal with them or eliminate them. Who can someone talk to about these things? How do you tell your wife that you think of her daughter that way? How do you talk to a minister or mental health professional without getting labeled?
I've never had feelings for other children, nor do I now. It's just her. We share many interests and spend a lot of time together... How do I limit contact with her and still be a father? How to I get of rid of these feelings? Looking for normalcy in an abnormal situation....