This is my first blog entry... this site is supposed to be about venting, right? Well here I go!!
The oldest step-son just turned 15 and basically flunked his entire freshman year of high school, is disrespectful to everyone and wouldn't dream of lifting a finger to help anyone. There are no rules at his mother's house and he does whatever he wants. There are no consequences for bad behavior such as breaking his bedroom door in the middle of an argument with his mother or the flunking school issue. So, what do you think the appropriate next step would be to get a kid like this in line? My idea would certainly NOT be to go buy him a car but that's exactly what she did on Saturday. She thinks it will motivate him to pass all of the summer school classes he has to take to catch up and to do better next school year. I almost laughed in her face last night when I picked up the younger son and she was surprised that the older son hadn't spend the day doing homework and helping around the house. This kid has never been required to meet a single responsibility yet and has gotten everything he wants, why oh why on earth did she think he would step up now??? And on top of it she expected his dad to participate despite the fact we've made it ENTIRELY clear we think this is a really, really bad idea. So his dad had to decide between being part of a bad idea or staying out if it, missing his son's first car purchase and putting more strain on an already strained relationship... see, we have rules and expectations and the kid obviously doesn't like that much so things are a little tense at our house when he's there. UUGGHH!!! He decided to go along to look at the car with him which the ex then purchased. I'm not at all happy we gave even implied approval but we did made it clear there would be no driving lessons at our house (not sure what laws are in other states but here you have only a learners permit at 15, no license until 16) until the grades come up and the attitude improves.

Our names are Mindy Markham, Jessica Troilo, Marilyn Coleman, and Lawrence Ganong and we are graduate students and faculty members at the University of Missouri - Columbia. We are interested in hearing what the members of this group think about different types of families. We are inviting you to participate in a research study about how mothers and fathers with different marital statuses are viewed. Participation is voluntary and completely confidential.

About 9pm on Friday night, my neighbor across the street's son19 had a party in front of the house on the sidewalk and street. This party involved alcohol. They were obnoxious and loud and urinating all over the place (mind you, we live in a NICE area.. not the slums, and not the inner city!) As I have respect for my neighbors (not the 19 yr old), I let it go. I didnt call the cops. I did my best to ignore all this. We eventually went to bed.

When I got home, I blew a gasket. He just stood there and took my ranting like a trooper. Then, when I went to my room, brought me something to drink, and my cell when it rang. I still refused to look at him or speak to him.

since late friday afternoon SD has been with BB, SD has called a few times about me dropping off stuff she forgot- no biggie, and I do have to do most of the grown up stuff like making it to SD apps, and making sure to get more meds over there cause as for par- BB does not have a clue how to budget at all- I swear the female could get a billion dollars and have nothing to show for it within a year!!!

Some may remember that I had a blog that was at the center of some drama w/ the bm and inlaws. I password protected content to stop their b!tching. Today I started a new blog.

you can find it here

My BF emailed BM the information about the mediator over 3 weeks ago and we have heard nothing from her since. We see the little man every Sunday for 4 hours. We found out last weekend that BM is not even staying at her house (that she got in the divorced and agreed to sell and said she was putting on the market this month). BM has been staying with her BF. The only things we know about the BF is that he smokes like a chimney and he's young - she's 37. Apparently, BM comes to the house 10 to 15 minutes before we arrive, otherwise, she is not there and her dog has not been seen in like 3 weeks according to the next door neighbors.

OK, been married 10 years...have been pretty much been the mom to 19 year old SD during that time. Took her on girl trips, coached her teams..went way above and beyond. She's entitled and spoiled -- everyone has said that.

was wondering if anyone is going thru all this in Fl., I read some of the blogs about adoption and kinda got curious mainly cause BM doesn't have anything to do with SD except her phone calls that was court order so I know the only reason she calls is because she feels she has to but with her sister having every other weekend visits would that count as the same if she was getting her it is confusing as to why sister gets visitation but the judge said because SD has the right to know that side of family and since BM doesn't give a S**T we need to,well it is summer now and the Aunt is suppose to get her for a month but she wants it on her terms and we told her NO every other week or forget it well she said if she doesn't get her 30 days straight back to court we go O"WELL see ya there,Keep in mind I have been here thru it all from every scrape to fall and through out her 16 months being with me I have taught her so much she was a scared little 3 yr.

So for those of you who didn't read the old stuff last summer BM took SD for the first week- we sent the food of course, then the next visit lasted one day (instead of two weeks) the next less than a day, so SD left tonight for the first visit----- anyone feeling my anxiety?