First post, long time lurker.  I'm paranoid about getting "found out" that I'm on here posting my grievances of step life so at this point in time, I'd prefer not to share particular details (ie number of step kids, ages, boys/girls, etc) but rather share my feelings and experiences in hopes of getting reassurance from strangers on the internet that I'm not in fact alone in my feelings. It's so hard when I don't have any close friends who are in blended family situations so it's easy to feel very isolated.

Happy Friday, STalkers! It's a breezy 53° here and I have the windows open to enjoy the fresh air. Aaaahhh... Short work day for me since I had to work late last night (oh happy joy...). Who is ready to start the weekend? *yahoo*

Eff off to:

It’s the look the skids (SD much more than SS) always had whenever I mentioned anyone in my family, when any of my friends or family (who were always extremely kind to them, by the way) were around, when I said anything about my job or other activities, when I pointed out where I worked as we drove by. Glazed-over eyes and no comments.

New member but have been supported by this site for over 2 years. Like so many others I've spent countless hours searching online to check if I'm not going crazy, that I'm not the evil wicked SM I'm made out to be. Thank you all for helping me to realise I have a SO problem. One day I'll be adding my story too (it'll take a few days just to write it all down lol), it has been therapeutic to know I'm not alone. Sending strength to you all. *bye*

So DH has been paying Crazy $650/month for Demon and SS18, 50/50 custody. When this was decided 2 years ago, Crazy allegedly made $36K/year, although they accepted that amount without her submitting her taxes or anything. SS graduated high school in June, which is when DH is done with CS in our state. He filed to take him off in July. The CS agency said nope- even with taking SS off, CS wouldn't be reduced by "$50 or 10%", so they wouldn't reduce the payment of $650/month. DH filed to have a judge review. 

Have y'all ever dealt with Disneyland Dads who stayed willfully obtuse?

At what point did they come out of denial? And finally see the truth that they were being used as walking ATMS/Beck n Call B*tches/Emotional support lap dogs?

Hi all, SS13 lives with us full time and his mum sees him one weekend every 2 months (her choice) SS has been having violent outbursts at school and has always had issues. He recently started a new school 2 months ago and he's already been suspended twice for hitting people. Today we had a report that he punched another boy at the back of the head and he had put his hands on a girls waist even though he had been told not to, his reasoning was that he found it funny.

I am very new here, but have scoured all of your stories and have found such peace just knowing that I am not alone. My story is similar to many here. I have two wonderful sons of my own that I have co-parented with the greatest father I could have ever asked for for my children. We might not have made it as a romantic partnership (married 19 years) but we maintained love and respect for each other after the divorce and have always put our boys first. So they are extremely well adjusted young men (15 and 20.) My ex has always been tough, as I am; but always loving and fair.

I have severe claustrophobia - so bad that I cannot tolerate being in a crowded venue, unable to move around without touching people (nightmare for a Finn!). It's due to something my oldest brother did to me when I was 5yo. My entire family knows, but most are now of the opinion that I need to "just get over it". 

Today I watched my SO in the restaurant give in to his teen and tween kids again and let them have ice cream shake before the meal arrives, then proceed to get through a pile of fries, complain they're too full to even touch the burger, but not too full to request more ice cream for dessert. My SO obliged to all of this, despite me discretely pointing all this out in early stages when it could all still be addressed.