I'm in a good mood today. I wanted people to know there is light in the tunnel, and Steptalk gives it to you.

I have now been a member for 2 years. I have grown so much in that time, simply from the advice I have received here. Simply because it gave me a place to vent- rather than blowing up at Loghead, my DH, or to the skids. It's not all roses and parades, but we move along, lately with only minor rocks to the boat.

Now, most of the annoyances brought on by the skids are annoyances simply because they are teenagers, not because they are skids. Loghead now sees that they are not angels, and they're old enough for him to dish it out to them when needed. Princess, SD, leaveing for college, was a huge help. We still struggle with her, but again a lot of it is a "kid' thing, not a "skid" thing. Sadly, she does have Loca Grande's genetics, and she faces many of the struggles her BM has had.

Therapy helped. Venting here and getting advice helped. I disengaged for awhile. I seriously, seriously thought about leaving, and even started to make a plan... But I love Loghead and these skids too much. They are mine. I raised them. So, I learned to stand up for myself. Things are better now than they have been in a long while. I've learned to pick my battles, and instead of fighting all of them with my family, I bring them here, and I've learned not everything is an issue, and sometimes it's okay to let go, and put me first.

Thanks Steptalk, and caregiver and Foxie and dorothyparkerwannabe, and many others...