I’ve started “Bonus Family” on Netflix. I get it, I enjoy it but yet I still think they are sugar coating a lot of steplife. The bio-dad in both situations is still looked upon in a negative way. We have William’s dad, Patrik, who’s just knocked up his new girlfriend and failing miserably in connecting with her kids. Then there’s Eddie’s dad,Martin, who lives with his mom, plays Disney Dad for his demon son. And yet they all act familiar with one another. In real life, we don’t show up to casually chitchat at each other’s work or call the supposedly bothersome ex (Williams mom, Katja?) asking to sing happy birthday together even though we hate each other. The only thing I find relatable is William. He is mild tempered and smart like my stepson and his relationship with Lisa is similar to how my relationship is with my SS (except my SS has known me longer than 3months.)

Shockingly BM emailed me today. She told me she wasn’t going to make it to the Parent-Teacher conference this week and if I’ll just let her know how it goes...I just...don’t know why she’s emailing ME instead of DH. I also don’t understand how BM can leave work at least once a week to have lunch with SS for those MOTY social media posts, but oddly enough can’t make it to Teacher Conference day. She didn’t even ask for the times before she just assumed she couldn’t make it. She didn’t even TRY! She assumed I’d be there even though I have work though. This is the epitome of our “relationship” (I used that term loosely) BM acts like I’m the big bad overtaking wolf in front of an audience but in the shadows is depending on me to get her through her motherly responsibilities without having to actually do anything. Doing it doesn’t bother me—idiots believing her even with reality in their face is what kills me. She looks foolish to be able to come for lunch but not to meet with the teacher. My response was simply that WE weren’t going to a conference tomorrow because DH already met with SS’s teacher weeks ago! Her response was positively brimming. I’m guessing she took it as “well since there’s no conference to miss then I’m technically not being a slacker mom after all” Barf.

Other Stepmom- SS’s brother’s stepmom has become a friend of mine. I keep her at arms length but I can’t help but help her do better than I ever did when it comes to dealing with BM. I warned her about BMs obsession with competition, was proved right then again advised her to just create a new account and block BM completely. She’s started the process but I also think she’s getting swept up in the drama of it all. Stepmom is doing a particular diet and runs a support group for it and everything. She posts about her weightloss journey as well as her meals and workouts. Now that’s what BM is doing except she’s doing “2-a-days” or pushing double the weight than whatever Stepmom posts. I sit back and watch and think to myself 1. This is childish and 2. Also glad it’s no longer me she’s fixated on beating. But as I say that I glance at our newest family addition.DH won SS a fish at the fair, and not to ever be outdone, BM got SS TWO fish at the fair the next night. Ha!

I’m sure there’s more but these are the highlights I can think of for now.