Alright. Venting is helpful.
I registered SS11 for 6th grade today. Everything was fine until I went to the ID Card area. He needs his ID to ride the bus.
I explained that SS11 is not with me and is "away" for the summer (I hate explaining the custody agreement to admin. I just give up the POA and let them figure out the rest.)
The nice ID Card lady asked if I could bring him in before school starts next week because it will be hectic next week.
I text BM (this has been the first time I text her in a VERY long time) as DH is away for work.

OMG, SO really set me off tonight.

SS11 just came home from BM house yesterday. She called on Sun and told us she was having issues with him and he "freaked out" and threw a bottle at a wall at BGP house. (DH and I have never seen this kind of behavior but...OK...we understand things can happen and we need to work with him on it)....so... back to yesterday.. BM jumps out of her car and comes barreling towards our door... I open and she says to me "I am not going to talk to you now..b/c if i do I am gonna freak the hell out on you" turns on heel and storms away... i come out and was like "Hey...

Sorry folks, I would never use this adjective to describe a child but this kid.......

I am cleaning up after dinner and the little princess is still eating and says "Is there more mac and cheese ?"
DH and I kinda answer in unison "Yes, it's on the counter. "

Princess gets up and says .."You two are the laziest people !"

Excuse me ?
DH says to her "Now princess that's unacceptable "

I had to walk away because I was TEMPTED to tell her:

Long story short, we had ss full time for five years before taking her to court. We took her to court for legal custody, to have his name changed and my dh's name added to the birth certificate (another man's name was on it). The court order says that she should pay 150 EOW in support. She paid that the first week and in over five years has given us somewhere around 1,000 total. That being said she is behind thousands and thousands.

So before I begin I will let you know that I'm aware that this issue sounds petty but it is more an issue of respect and simple principle for me. Every week when I go grocery shopping I keep in mind the likes of the Skids, DH and myself. I try to buy things everyone likes. I do also useally buy one item as a treat for my self during the week ( example: box of ice cream cones ) I. Always put my 'treat' item in the fridge that is in the garage, not in the main kitchen fridge. My SS13 always goes out to the garage fridge and will ask if he can have some of whatever item I got for myself.

I have a question. My husband lets his daughter (my stepdaughter who is 5) stay up really late when she is visitn every other weekend. I have talked to him about setting a schedule because she needs rest and we need quiet time. He agrees but never follows through. I think it is her manipulation. Is this typical behavior for a divorced father?

It was an endurance test. We rented a cabin on a lake for a week. Although I get along okay with my ssons this week really tested me. This is meant to be tongue and cheek.

Here’s what I learned:

1. When packing for the whole family it’s easy to forget your own stuff like a swimsuit and a hairbrush.

2. Let DH pick a fight with you every morning. He’ll feel better after and wonder why I’m so crabby the rest of the day.

BM refused to pay for her week of FSD7's summer camp, so that FDH and I could work on our days that FSD will be with us, and so that BM can work on her "classes." Now that she has disrupted the schedule FDH and BM decided to meet at the police station to exchange FSD. FDH wants me to be there, at least in the car, as her text messages have gotten nasty and the last time they were face to face she spit in his face and told him to hit her. So I feel I need to support FDH and be another adult there.

Like so many of you on here, I deal with an impossible, irrational, mentally unstable BM. This has made our blended family life quite a challenge for the last seven-plus years to say the least. Thankfully, DH has FINALLY opened his eyes, and TOGETHER, we have worked as a team to solve these challenges head on.

Life isn't always perfect with regard to her, but at least we are now on the same page when it comes to her craziness and THIS, I feel, is more than half the battle! And because of it, our marriage is stronger.