Okay so per per DH's court order, he is to receive half the Xmas holiday break. It breaks down as beginning at 6 pm the day after school lets out until half the days are met usually 6. About a month ago BM emailed DH stating that skids school lets out 12/23 so our visitation is 12/24 at 6 pm until 12/30 at 7 pm. All agreed. She called MY cell phone on 12/22 frantic saying her Mom was very sick and in the hospital and DH needed to come and get the kids. DH picks up skids. I informed her that if she wanted them back to call me. She never did.

I've been with my boyfriend for 2 yrs and we live together. He has a 4 yr old daughter that I love. She loves me but always has to have her dad's attention. If he is sitting with me on the couch, she jumps on his lap. If he is leaving, he'll kiss her goodbye, when he kisses me goodbye she yells EWWW (normal for a kid). If we are talking, she says "daddy, daddy, look" he'll say "what" and she will have nothing for him to look at so she'll make something up really quick. She's so jealous of our relationship and he doesn't see it at all. He thinks that I'm the one whose jealous.

I have been with my fiance for about 2 1/2 yrs now and friends with him for about 6. He has a 3 yr old daughter that I love very much but I am getting to where I can not stand her. This makes me feel horrible because I know that I love her so much and the reasons why I cant stand her are not her fault, but the fault of her Bio Mom, my fiance, and his mom.

As part of a child support modification that my husband just had done, the judge ordered that the skids are allowed to bring their stupid cell phone with them to our house. We can still take it away as soon as they enter the house, since all they do is use it at inappropriate times and call their BM when they get in trouble, but we have to babysit it for her all weekend.

I don't understand that. If we're not going to let them use it, why do we have to even mess with it? Stupid!

I just read csong40's post and realized this has hit me at the heart of my delimna, when I disengage, as I am doing even as we speak, I'm concerned that they will not get the discipline that they need or guidance. I never know what I'm going to walk back into when I get home, which will be late tonight.

Do you feel that by disengaging from skids, you're sending them the message that they won?

Do you feel that you're sending BM the message that she's winning?

I had to go the disengagement route at one point because I had exhausted all other avenues available and I needed to save my sanity. I know a lot of you have done/are doing it but I know that there are some of you who don't think it's the right thing to do.

SD13 has come home with attitude this morning. I hate Mondays and the switch. I really hate that we have attitude on the week on and week off schedule. I just grounded her from Facebook. She came in the house without telling anyone she was home. She was told that three times and she would be off facebook for 24 hours. She flipped out on me. I called my husband twice to have him handle, he didn't call back, so I did. I never give punishment, but I have had it. This coming and going and not telling anyone you are home or leaving is nuts.

Hi, to all the cool people in the world who choice to become a step parent. It's been awhile since my last blog. Well I'm back with nothing really new just the same S(#T different day. Here the deal. After four years of courts battles and A TON OF MONEY!!! Child support has been set. You would think I would be happy, not so much. I should be happier that this is done, Right? And I'm not!!! Could someone please let me know why I'm not hapy.

No matter how much BM is trying to make SD hate my guts.... it is not working. SD came in the house for her visit this year (26 Dec - 3 Jan) and gave me a big ole hug...... told me "Merry Xmas Ima" it just felt great.....

Then last night before bed time - after sitting under the blanket with me watching the Wizard of Oz - she leaned over and gave me a hug. I was surprised. But it felt good to know that even though her mom is lying on me every chance she gets...... SD is not believing her.

Well BM came back to the state about a week ago. She has the 2 boys (5, 6) for the second half of the holidays. Because of her inability to get along with and control the 6 yr old, all of her visits this year have been shortened for him. Typically on a weekend visit he will go to her house midday on a Saturday and return 24 hours later. She is able to tolerate the younger one because he thinks she's the greatest and poops 24k gold! Well, the divorce is FINALLY done - hip hip hooray! Our plan was to drop off the SS5 today on the way to FH's work and then Wednesday for SS6.