Well, I'm new to this site and not sure I truly belong here. I have a situation unlike most probably & I'm sure many would kill to have my experience, but at times it seems so overwhelming!!

First, background on me ~ my parents divorced when I was about 3 years old and both remarried. I had a horrible stepmother ~ she was awful and my "dad" was oblivious to how she treated my older sister and me (she always treated me worse than my sister!) My mom remarried a man who to this day is more of a dad to me than my biodad ever could be! My "step"dad died about 7 years ago, but he will always remain the man who raised me and was my dad!

Skip to current situation ~ I married a woman who had a son from a previous relationship. When my wife and I were dating, things were fine. I got along well with her son and everything. He never knew his biodad and never met him. His biodad signed over rights to him when he was a baby and has never seen him. I ended up adopting my "step"son and I am the only father he has ever known even though I didn't come in to his life until he was about 9 years old.

My son was the typical stereotyped child of a single mother ~ spoiled rotten and threw temper tantrums at 9 still! He used to hit and kick his mother no matter how hard she tried to stop it. We went through hell and back! In the past 5 years we've been married we have seen a lot of improvements in his behavior and attitude. We have also added 2 sons to our family. However, my oldest still exhibits anger issues and insecurity with me and my family. He never sees anything he says or does as wrong. It's the world against him and I don't know how to get this out of him!

I know for the most part, I've done all I can to help shape a different life for him and I've helped in some ways; however, I fear what is in store for him down the road!! We've had him in counseling and it works for the time, but he still doesn't see fault in his actions so it's a waste of time as he feels he's being attacked.

For the most part, life is okay. What bugs me the most is that he NEVER calls me dad to talk to me! It's been 6 years I've been a part of his life and he refers to me as dad to everyone in our lives, but he won't address me as dad. I don't get that!! I've talked to him about it and we've "practiced" it and all the tricks we can think of, but he just won't do it. I think he refers to me as dad in order to fit in with others and have a dad, but he doesn't feel it. I'm okay with that as it does take time; however, if you don't feel it, don't refer to me as dad to everyone else! It just really sucks because I don't want my younger boys growing up not feeling like they can call me daddy/dad!!

I know these are the frustrations of parenting, and I know I'll get through them; however, it's nice to know there's a site where others know where you are coming from!!