in step situations? This isn't meant as an attack question. So many of the situations I read about here, though, really make me wonder why some of us stay in these situations.

I stayed, because dh started paying attention to his kids and parenting them.

They recently got into a vocal discussion about fathers and mothers: https://www.yahoo.com/tv/news/view-guest-host-terry-crews-vociferously-d...

It was an interesting discussion. I side with Terry and Sherri. Both mom and dad each have unique things they bring to the table. And dads are very much needed in their kids lives. Studies show that kids with dads involved in their lives are less likely to become criminals, and have really severe issues in their lives.

Cheating has been discussed a lot here. It's gotten a lot of thoughts rolling in my mind.

1. I wholeheartedly believe in choosing to forgive...in and on my own time. I think the people who cheated and their cheatin' buddies have a lot of nerve to say, "get over it," "move on," "get a life," etc. Someone should tell them to "get over it" in dealing with the backlash they get from the community.

Did you hear about this?

http://news.yahoo.com/dad-pummeled-11-old-kid-bullying-9-old-140217575.html

I think it's unfortunate that it had to come to that. Maybe if the boy's aunt, the school ad/or his parents stepped up this wouldn't have happened. Maybe the dad went overboard but I think most of us would in defending our kids.

I hope this bully will think twice in the future before he bullies again.