After a weeks delay due to blah blah blah from BM the skids will be back Saturday. However. According to BM SS12 wants to live with her. Now SS12 is especially defiant and causes lots of issues. He flunks school a lot, causes problems between DH and BM and DH and me and generally makes life hard.

fairly sure BM doesn't want him but she wants DH to be the bad guy to say no. Supposedly she is having surgery in a few weeks(she has LOTS of pretend medical issues) so she told SS12 he needed to come here and then they can see where she is at after surgery and such. SS12 would very much cramp her life. She lives with her BF and has SS18 living there FT. SS18 has emotional issues and is really, really hard to deal with. And of course BM plays this up a lot. Woe is her. And...well, she doesn't like SS12. SS18 is her BABY and SS10 really is the baby and SS12...well he is just hard to like.

So DH has very nicely asked that we(bios, me, and him) all go out of our way to welcome skids home. We moved while they were gone so we're in a new house and he wants them to feel especially welcome to be back. Which makes me think BM gave a rant about SS12 either not liking me or me not liking him. DH says SS12 just wants his mom and brother. I think zero rules, running wild, and a ton of junk food also help.

DH has requested a welcome home banner and family dinner on Saturday(I usually do not cook on Saturday nights). I really don't have an issue with the banner or dinner or whatnot. The thing is I don't feel welcoming or happy to have them back. Even if I run out and say hello and give half hugs my heart will not be there and I seriously doubt they will miss that.

I do not know how to fake this. If SS12 leaves SS10 will most likely want to go too. Which would break DH's heart. Also, I really worry about BM's mothering. I understand she is THE mother and has every right to mother her own way but she doesn't make them do anything they don't want to. Go to school, get dressed, bathe, eat anything that isn't frozen, church, scouts, anything. I have spent 3 years working with skids to make friends! To be at least somewhat likable! To sit at a table and pass food, use utensils, and eat like a human. Personal hygiene still needs a ton of work but hey.

So how do I fake it? Or do I just let the chips fall where they may and I love DH but WTH?! He had children with her and now those children are making choices. I don't know. I have to go make a grocery list for Saturday's dinner.