Imagine being a part of a blended family and discovering your spouse has a hearing-impaired child from a previous relationship. Now, picture your spouse suggesting that the whole family learn sign language to communicate with this newfound child. Would you be up for the challenge? One stepmom found herself in this exact situation, and her decision not to learn sign language has stirred up quite the debate.
Surprise Daughter

The Big Reveal

Visitation Time

Communication Barrier

Learning ASL as a Family?

Time Constraints ⏰

Language Learning Struggles

Kids Don’t Want to Learn ♀️

Alternative Solutions? ♀️

Stepmom’s Dilemma: To Sign or Not to Sign? ♀️
This stepmom is caught in a whirlwind of emotions and decisions after discovering her husband’s hearing-impaired daughter from a previous relationship. With limited time and energy, she’s reluctant to learn sign language, even though her husband and stepdaughter think it’s essential. Her decision has sparked a heated debate, leaving many wondering if she’s in the wrong. Let’s dive into the internet’s top responses to this tricky situation…
Learning sign language is necessary for communication, YTA

Commenter calls out OP for being a terrible role model and wicked stepmother for refusing to learn basic ASL to accommodate her stepdaughter’s disability. A deaf person shares their personal experience and urges OP to make an effort. YTA.

Learning basic ASL can show kindness and make stepdaughter feel welcome. YTA.

Learn a few signs, it means a lot to Markita

YTA for refusing to learn ASL for your stepdaughter

Fear of step-parents resonates with commenters

Learning basic signs is a minimal courtesy. Cut the s**t.

Stepmom called out for refusing to learn sign language

Tutor’s heartwarming experience teaching sign language to a deaf child ❤️

Stepmom neglects stepdaughter’s needs, called out for narcissism.

Stepmom faces backlash for refusing to learn sign language

Debate over stepmom’s responsibility to learn sign language for stepdaughter.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/b7fc680c-b906-4c74-aa69-a00a19469dd0.png)
Commenter calls out stepmom for not learning sign language

Encourage kids to learn ASL and teach you, NTA

Stepmom criticized for not learning sign language for stepdaughter

Parent defends stepmom’s decision not to learn sign language

Stepmom not obligated to learn ASL for stepdaughter, NTA ♀️

Refusing to learn sign language makes YTA, show some effort

Stepmom struggling to adjust to unexpected new stepdaughter’s communication needs
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/fbd8d9c4-7b9e-40fe-8dba-f755988f007d.png)
Lazy stepmom refuses to learn sign language for stepdaughter

Encourage kids to learn sign language, try to learn some too

Stepmom criticized for refusing to learn basic sign language

Commenter suggests learning sign language for stepdaughter in future.

Learning full ASL fluency is unreasonable for stepmom. NTA/NAH

ESH. Stepmom should learn sign language for stepdaughter’s sake. Commenter adds valuable insight and corrects misinformation about lip reading. ♀️

Learning sign language is challenging, not callous. NTA

Stepmom faces criticism for not learning sign language for stepdaughter

Make an effort to learn basic signs for stepdaughter

Learning sign language is a small effort for a big impact

Learning ASL would make op a hero but not a villain ♀️

Teaching sign language may be a pain, but it’s worth it

NTA commenter defends stepmom’s decision not to learn sign language

Learn a few signs to support your stepdaughter and family

Commenter calls out OP for lack of acceptance
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/13d88237-9890-408c-a0b6-030dacec0581.png)
Stepmom’s refusal to learn sign language for stepdaughter is problematic

Commenter calls out stepmom for refusing to learn sign language

Multilingual stepmom defended for not learning sign language

Stepmom hesitant to learn sign language for stepdaughter, but may cause issues
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/d24760d7-388c-4d6a-be34-3c7f6d35e61d.png)
Support for not learning sign language for stepdaughter

Encouraging sign language learning is good parenting

Learning sign language is hard, but Markita deserves better

Learning sign language as a family can ease the husband’s guilt

Stepmom’s refusal to learn sign language makes her the a**hole

Learning sign language takes time and effort. NTA for prioritizing.

NTA for not learning sign language fluently for stepdaughter

Stepmom refuses to learn sign language for stepdaughter, called out YTA
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/e0d7ba1d-047d-4b20-b09a-8e48ea99ddc4.png)
Balancing work, kids, and household is tough. NTA here
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/308ebf57-47e2-46ee-b07a-34289b23274e.png)
Learning basic sign language is important for long-term family communication

Learning sign language can be a life-saving skill

Being a role model is important, show willingness to learn

Stepmom faces backlash for not learning sign language for stepdaughter

Learning basic sign language is the least you could do

Last Updated on June 15, 2023 by Diply Social Team