I have been coming here since I became SM to my SS several years ago. He's not a bad kid, not outright rebellious or mean-spirited (so I suppose I should be grateful for that) but he just annoys me to no end. A lot of it is your typical kid stuff, like he needs to be told daily to fix his bed or put the milk back in the fridge. He can also be a butthead to DH and I've noticed I'm extra mean to him the next day when that happens. I feel like a terrible stepmom because I haven't been able to accept this kid. I am far more accepting and patient with my own kids.

I am tired of always hiding in my room or finding a reason to leave the house on weekends he's here. I don't want a bad relationship with my children's (half) brother, for their sake. But I have no idea how to repair this relationship or what to do to make living with him tolerable. I don't want to be his mom. Being affectionate to him feels so uncomfortable. I guess I just want to get to a point that I'm not annoyed by him.