After our last issue, DH himself actually went to talk to a counselor. This marriage is in bad shape. DH and his son's needs come first and I am not valued.

We were going to follow up with the counselor and then I ended up in the hospital with major surgery. And now DH is away for the next two months due to work.

I am stuck in the house, unable to drive anywhere, with a lazy 18 year old step son who stays in his pajamas all day and plays video games.

I am feeling both relieved and yet still hurt and upset and very angry.

DH has finally stopped making excuses and turning a blind eye to his son's behavior. After much debating with me and now finally getting tired of SS18's behavior, DH tells me he doesn't think I should do anything for his son anymore. He acknowledges that I have done a lot for his son and he doesn't blame me for not wanting to have any kind of relationship or do anything with/for him anymore.

In the three years since I first started coming to this message board, a lot of good things have happened.

Last year DH got custody of SS, who just recently turned 18. We did a lot for him this past year and his life has really turned around. He went from having nothing, due to BM using all the child support for herself, to having nice things which include a car that DH bought him. He was mistreated by his mother. He has been treated very well in our house.

When does the drama ever end with skids and BM? This is probably a ridiculous question but I think I sometimes fool myself into believing that it will.

We have had full custody of SS17 for 4 months now. It seemed like things were getting better than ever. He was picking up after himself and his attitude was generally pretty good. He had finally started to treat me with more respect and it seemed like the tension that always existed between him and me was gone. Life at our house was actually really pleasant with the three of us.