Of course! For a 10 year old, adults are just noise.

Yup! If it's really important, touch their shoulder to get their attention, then speak. Or, whisper -- it's often much more effective then raising your voice. If there's "attitude" when the kid finally responds, that's another situation altogether.

Well "mom" is my gf, I'm just observing when I'm over...which is often. I guess because I grew up when we asked to watch t.v., i dont consider this behaviour appropriate. The child in question acts "entitled". Last night I left the room when she wouldn't go brush her teeth, when she did she came back to living room to do so with an electric tooth brush. The show we were all watching she silenced by using headphones....she said she needed them, couldn't hear show while brushing. I have 2 kids of my own, I wouldn't allow this, but I am not these kids parents, so I don't interfere at all.

With all the evidence combined, sounds like Mom/Dad have spoiled the girl and not enforced boundaries. It'll get worse from here as she enters her teen years. Maybe they'll get a grip as she continues her slide down Outrageous Behavior Hill.

On the other hand, my oldest son had a friend who I would have been beat to death as a teenager had he been my son. I had to walk out of the room several times to prevent myself from asking his parents if they were blind as well as deaf when it came to their son's behavior? Strangely enough, that boy grew into a totally delightful, accomplished, considerate young man.

I guess the best you can do is continue to leave when the child violates your good sense. Maybe the parents will eventually get a clue watching how you parent your kids.

Well I happen to agree with the spoiled diagnosis. There is no Dad, per se, gf is a single mom - for over 8 years. I don't parent her kids, not my place. Real dad is in the area and they visit him , but they don't Iike him, they have no relationship with him. One of gf 's kids said I was different than dad. Nicer, friendlier.

Okay -- I see what the deal is. I thought you are female and talking about your female friend's kid. Now that I know you are the SO of the Mom, I'd have to say that her method of parenting (or lack thereof) should be a big, red, relationship flag snapping in the wind for you. Unchecked, the girl's behavior will continue to make you uncomfortable and increasingly angry over time -- with the girl, but mostly with the Mom for being so wimpy and ineffective at parenting. Just check out the stepfamilies forum and see how many people finally had to break up (or divorce) over their SO's inability to properly parent their kids. Years of misery and havoc preceded the decision.

There are lots of single women whose parenting philosophies more closely align with yours. Perhaps consider finding one of those women to date and avoid the train wreck coming your way?

Interesting. I never considered daughter to be a reflection of mom in this way. Be that as it may, suggestions dealing with daughter? She is very self centered. Case and point...sits in front of TV directly in the way of my view. I just pretend not to notice, as she's usually off to bed shortly anyways. The other daughter isn't nearly as bad, but whines a lot. ..

I'll be checking out Step parents shortly......

Well last night 10y.o. sat in front of screen again. I bobbed my hear around a couple times & mom asked 10y.o. to move outta the way. Without batting an eye she scoot he'd up on couch beside me so I could see.... :-)

And, as for her behavior... mom does not find it acceptable either. Although in most cases the response isn't quite what I would do, she does take action. As he did two nights ago when she took the child's tablet away. Continued refusal and mom was threatening to throw tablet....and literally let chips fall where they may.

I'm all in favour of tech and electronics for kids...my EX was was against it completely, and that was a source of friction in our relationship. But I digress.

With this young lady, her face is buried in a screen of some sort constantly. This is where she gets lost ( I believe she thinks she's pulling one over on us by pretending not to hear us...or more correctly her mom.) The very technology I support is part of the problem. I have noticed with my own children since Christmas they spend a lot of time on their own tablets. But, given that I've been trying to make ends meet since my split, and only could afford this for them now, I don't mind because they enjoy it. However, as much as they get lost in their tablets they don't ignore me as the other young lady does.

Threats of destroying another's things? Not good parenting at all. So sorry - Mom needs parenting help badly.