:sick: My stepson is 14 years old, and moved in with us last Christmas. He doesn't think he should do what "mom/stepmom" tells him to do. His mom asked him to do things but he will turn and say no and walk off. Well I am not that way.

I have tried being nice, ignoring him, and raising my voice to get my point across. We made chorse and guidelines. He tells me we are not following them at all.

My 2 year old seems to be wanting to potty train, and being this is my first time and my mom doesnt have much advise I thought I would turn to other moms I have made a sticker chart, and try putting him on the potty every twenty minutes but he still manages to wet his underwear (and doesn't really mind or tell me) He instigated potty training and decided he wanted to, he even picked his underwear out. I desperatly need ideas

We are considering pushing back our wedding date, because of money issues. It is scheduled for September 2011. Our baby is due March 2011, so 6 months before that. Right now we are pretty much living paycheck to paycheck, although I've been building up my savings for when the baby comes and should have atleast $1500 by March.

Please help! I need advise from other step parents. Here is quickest version I can give. My dh and i have been married for 12 years. I have been in my step daughters life since she was 3 she is now 15. She is starting to want to do other things and stay with her mother more. Which we understand. My children who are her 1/2 brother and sisters miss her dearly. We ask her if she is coming for the weekend after she has missed 2 already. Her mother and her tell us NO. There is no asking jsut a flat no, i am not comeing.

Well, I have been lurking and reading, and have even posted a few replies, but I am finally in need of putting my story out there!

I have 2 Bios, DD12 & DS9, who I have about 65% of the time, and 2 SKs SS17 (ADHD & Aspergers) and SS5, with 2 BMs, who we have 50% of the time, but different days.

So, since I have decided to disengage from the skids, DH doing things differently.

I told him several days ago that I can't help him with the skids b/c I don't get anything out of it. I used to make SD16 a snack after school, breakfast before she goes off the work; I used to cook for all of us; eat with them at the table; help my DH with child custody issues for SD16; and just be helpful with them.

Just curious...how many of you are currently living in the same house that your DH/SO shared with BM?
Does it bother you?
Do you think it makes it harding for the skid(s), having you there in the home they lived in when their father and BM were together?
What have you done to make the house "yours"?
Yeah, I'm totally still struggling with this one...and we're so very not in a position to buy a new home...for now, at least, it's this...or renting.

Last night, FH and I were listening to a talk radio type of show on the computer on "how to deal with a psycho ex wife". Most if not all are the things I've been advising FH to do, but he sometimes does and then doesn't for whatever reason of the hour or excuse he creates. While listening to this talk radio, (I'm somewhat paying attention at this point because it had been 2hours of listening to someone talk and it was 1am. )
FH says "pause that". I did so
and he says "that's you."
I say what?
FH: yeah, you get mad at me.

Well...as you all know-our main issue of late has been SD/SS's failing grades. I have been in contact with teachers for both skids and yesterday, sent out emails to all the teachers that each skid is failing a class in. Monday is parent/teacher conference and the teacher usually sends home a note requesting a conference. Well...knowing how the skids are, I took the lead and sent the teachers an email asking them to contact DH directly to set up the conferences.

I know we all live all over the world.. If anyone lives near the chicagoland area, would you be interested in an actuall meet and greet?? Coffee-Drinks-Whatever.. There are many interesting people on here that I would love to meet and was wondering if anyone else would be interested as well.

Let me know