So, SD13 hasn't been to our house in 10 months. During that time, she has only initiated contact with DH a handful of times, usually on some occasion where gifts would be involved. He has gone to a number of her extracurricular events. She ignores him. He texts her regularly. She ignores him.

This is the direct result of BM actively trying to turn her against DH ever since he and I started dating. Well, that's not entirely true. It really started when DH was still married to the beast but it was amped to the max once I came into the picture.

None of BM's PAS attempts have worked on SS12. Even withholding visitation didn't work because DH finally listened to me and started picking SS up during his CO time even when BM "forbade it".

There was a huge blow up over Christmas where BM started doing everything she could to take SS away. She even sunk so low as to threaten to use DH's depression (that he is managing with medication, btw) as a reason she thought SS was in danger at our house.

Despite all this bullshit, SS still loves his dad and wants more time with him, not less.

Here's where I may have to eat my hat about underestimating BM's intellect. I think she may be smarter than I ever gave her credit for. After seeing all of her alienation attempts fail miserably and actually cause the opposite reaction in SS, she finally found the ultimate way to play dirty and win: use SD. She is taking advantage of the close relationship these kids have developed with each other since their parents divorced. All she has to do now is work on SD who is already on her side. SS is finally showing some signs of pulling away from DH and it all centers around SD. Apparently she is having trouble coping with the disruption in schedule when she can't spend time with her brother (on the bus, after school, etc). Eyeroll.

Additionally, SD has gone from completely ignoring DH to sending him downright rude, hateful texts and emails telling him why "mom is right about you, my brother shouldn't be around you." I'm wondering at this point if she is just jealous of the close relationship her brother has with DH. Every communication is about how inured she feels about not having a father anymore. Yes, DH reminds her that SHE was the one who cut off contact, not him. The whole thing got way out of hand when he told her how out of line she is in this matter. It has now devolved into a rambling of emotional hysteria from SD that very closely resembles the way BM communicates with DH.

On the one hand I feel so damn bad for SS. He is being manipulated in a way I never could have imagined. This is so sick and so cruel. What kind of person WANTS their kids to develop emotional problems like this?!? On the other hand, I can see how much easier our lives would be if DH's one remaining tie to BM drama were to be severed. This could be the end of skids in my house. I hate that my mind goes there. The alienation is not healthy for the skids or my husband. The only thing I care about is my husband's emotional well-being. Getting rid of skids this way is no victory.