SS11 came home from school about an hour and a half ago. I was on the couch reading. He was in a great mood and so was/am I. We chatted while he ate a snack, then he came and sat on couch next to me. Next thing I knew, he was curled up, taking a nap, right beside me. As close as he can get without being right on me.

Sigh... These are the moments that make it hard to fully disengage. I can't help but want to love and care about them, but then it's so easy to get sucked back in and, subsequently, end up with hurt feelings.

Step-parenting is the hardest, grayest, most confusing thing I've ever gotten myself into..