First of all I have only been married for 4 months. I have known my husband for over 25 years. He is not a bad person I just think he has horrible parenting skills. In May of this year my then 18 year old step son had to move in with us. He either quit or got kicked out of college we are unsure which. I didn't want him to move in as we were getting married that same month and I knew it would cause issues. His father said he had no place else to go so we had no choice (wrong). Anyway, he has been here for 4 months (and is now 19).

Having grown up a child from divorce with two households of moms and dads and step dads and step mums and all of the family and chaos in between, I have a really unique view on raising children in the “step” situation… and I tend to step back and try to see things from everybody’s perspective, not saying that my own selfish personal emotions don’t cloud the water, but at least I try.

that SD15 and DH keep me in the loop on stuff? Apparently, SD15 is going to the mall after school today with a friend. The only reason I know anything about it is because I just looked at her FB page and there is a post on there about it. I don't have a clue if DH even knows anything about this, but she isn't supposed to do that kind of stuff without asking us first. I would have been extremely irritated when she didn't come home after school and I didn't know where she was.

This has nothing to do with me or my personal life but it does have to deal with a family member.

FSD turned 8 years old this weekend...holy cow. Although the birthday party was a success of course FMIL attempted to put a damper on things by complaining about the food. Complaining that "we" did not find HER a pillowpet to give to HER grand-daughter...apparently she couldn't go out and scour every store herself to find out that they were sold out EVERYWHERE - lazya$$...complained that I made "her" grandchild's cake the Wrong color? Which by the way - my fsd LOVED her bday cake!

I raised her since she was 5, and her distance hurts me...Princess 18 has been gone to college for one month now.

I still don't miss her yet. She was being such a brat, I'm actually enjoying the peace of our home. But I am bothered by the fact she can't bother to answer my phone calls or send me a text.

Yea...I'm really not enjoying all this DRAMA. I just want to be normal..have a normal life. I guess that's not possible. Is it really possible to disengage when you live FT with the skid? I feel as though I need to hold on to any shred of a normal life..I can't deal with the constant drama. What to do? I have other children to think about. SS does not want to do right. I'm drained.

As a steparent.....do you.....

1. Regret making the decision to marry DH, or
ir you are not yet married, are you re0-thinking the possibility?

2. Ever look forward to visitation with Skids, or if you have full custody, ever wish visitation with BM was much longer and more frequent?

3. Find things to do outside the house when skids come around?

4. Give gifts of equal value to skids as well as bios (birthday, Christmas, etc.)?

5. Bite your tongue when it comes to skid-related issues that affect your household just to avoid arguing?

So, we had a whodunnit last night. After a completely fun-filled family weekend which included a HUGE cookout yesterday afternoon, we returned home for some much needed rest before the work/school week.

At about 5 p.m. DH and I retire to our bedroom to watch a DVD and nap. We were both completely exhausted from a very over scheduled weekend of activities. DH and I tell the kids, since we all just had such a ginormous wonderful meal, fend for yourselves and make a sandwich for dinner if you get hungry.

BM really chaps my ass sometimes.

Today SS3 had his tonsils and adenoids removed. BF met BM and SS early this morning at the surgery center. BM left by 8:00 am, before SS even had them removed, so she could go to class, so BF was the one who stayed with SS the whole time.

I know the surgery's not serious, but if that were my kid I think I would skip my class that day to be there with him, I think the teacher would understand.