I can't tell you what a comfort the StepTalk community has been to me. I am going through a really difficult time now. I had separated from my husband 4 years ago completely amicably but we put off the divorce because he was in a very bad place financially. We were married for 17 years - more good than bad - but finally called it quits because I needed to have children in my life and he refused to consider adoption. I tried to had natural children but was unable to carry to term and (not to be dramatic) nearly died the third and last time I tried. Last rites and the whole shebang.

Things are really reaching a head and I have to get out - if only for this weekend. FH is overloaded with BM and skid crap and is walking around like a bear with a sore head. He has let situations build and build and done nothing to head them off and the chickens are coming home to roost with a vengeance but he doesn't see it. All he sees is the crisis and wants "understanding." I am fresh out of understanding!

I am really at the end of my rope. Nothing I do or say meets with the approval of FH or the skids - it has not for a long time but things have gotten so much worse. Everytime it even appears that I might put one toe over the line FH is there scolding me and saying "you want a good relationship with the skids don't you - I am just trying to help!" And then all of his frustration with what BM does and what the skids do spills over on to me. If he is not actually bitching at me then he is morosely sulking around the house and refusing to talk to me.

People are upset because a skid wore a damp sweatshirt to school in cold weather and a disengaged SM allowed it - either because she could care less or because there was damned little she could do other than tackle the brat and rip it off him if he were determined to wear it. Only she knows why.

Maybe it is the cold medicine talking but a damp sweatshirt is NOTHING. I am now actively trying to figure out a way to get a LIVE BADGER into SS16's clothing. A hungry one!!!!