Over the years I have tried so hard to get along with DH's crazy ex wife. No matter how hard I try to make her happy, I can never please her. She has a completely distorted view on reality. To her, the situation is so different from how things actually are. I just do not get it?!? The most recent example, is this past holiday weekend. Last weekend (our weekend for my two ss's), we were going to go camping. She heard our plans and called me to negotiate a deal so that our two boys could go to their last soccer game of the season. She did not trade us weekends, because she had to travel outside the state and would not even be able to take them to their game herself. Anyway, she told us that we could have the boys Memorial Day weekend if we promise to take them to their game instead of camping. She also made it clear that we had to have them back Sunday night because they had plans for Monday (Memorial Day). In the past, she has said that what ever time we drop the boys off, is what time we are "allowed" to pick them up the next weekend. Well, She had us pick the boys up this past Thursday an hour later than our usual time. So one would think that the drop off time would be an hour later as well? Since we took them home at the same time we picked them up, she flipped out...she said they had "plans" and that we were taking an extra hour of "her" time and that she always works with us and does things to benefit us! Hello??? The whole reason we worked out this deal was to benefit you being able to go out of town, and YOU wanting them to go to their game...oh and a talent show! She also probably had no one to watch them on Friday since both her and her husband work. We would have much rather skipped the talent show and the soccer game, and gone camping than have had to deal with her bitching! My birthday was on the exchange day and I feel like she ruined it! Everything she does is out of spite! She dictates everything and only follows the CO when it benefits her, or if it lands on a holiday that works out best for her plans. She is always trying to raise child support and succeeds! She always gets her way, but acts like she never does! It is the strangest thing! Ever since I married my husband, we have struggled financially. There was a time when my husband was not working and we were barely surviving and all she could do was complain about child support! Even though we have consistently paid CS for the past two years, she still will not let go of the past. If she only knew the financial responsibility we have caring for five boys, and especially one of my DS's who has type 1 diabetes! The eat and grow like crazy! I have two DS's from my first marriage and still to this day do not receive CS! I have a DS with my husband and two SS's...for a total of five boys! Ugh, I wish so much she could trade me lives for just a day...maybe she could understand and be more compassionate? She even contacted my ex husband and my ex mother-in-law to attempt to get information from them on me! The best part about it, is that they are compulsive liars and my ex MIL is a convicted felon! LOL! She is addicted to Oxi's and her felony is for cooking meth! These are some REAL reliable sources! HAHA! Back then, my ex was addicted to drugs as well, and this woman has NO idea what I went through in my very abusive marriage! This person whom she tried to befriend was not stable or even a good person. He has been sober now for a year, and our two ds's have been in his life again since I no longer fear for their lives. We are mature about things, and have no CO. We just make plans that fit both our schedules and benefit our boys. My ex husband's new wife and I are very close because she now knows exactly what I went through and went through everything I did. We understand each other and have a lot in common. I am thankful to have her as my children's SM, and will always allow her in their life even if her and my ex husband divorce. I know this is a really long rant, but I get so frustrated! I know how easy things COULD be, and how getting along benefits the children most of all! I wish so much that everything could be easier and happier, and that we could all work together and get along! I am one of those who forgives pretty easily, and moves on. I am an extremely happy person, and try my hardest to make others happy as well....even the BM! However, my efforts just turn to disasters. I should stop trying, but for some reason I still have hope that everything will one day work out. Another thing that is bothering me, is that she always expects us to call her and inform her of things, or respond immediately! I took the time to highlight and organize a calendar for this summer, so we know exactly who has the boys and at what times so as to avoid her getting pissed off due to miss communication. I sent it over a week ago and still have not heard back! She hates me for some reason? She cheated on and left my husband before I even met him, so it isn't like I was the "other woman" and she has no reason to be jealous of me! I am friends with some of her old friends since they were mutual friends of her and my husbands. They, and my husband (who can not for the love of everything holy get along with her) all say that she was a great mom, and nice, and have nothing but good things to say about her pre their divorce! From what I have seen of her (and even after six years of going through this) she just seems like a bitch and kind of rude...maybe she is just that way to me though. I wish that she would understand that the reason my DH is so angry and mean to her, is because she hurt him, and everything he has ever said to her in their "yelling matches" was out of anger for her breaking his heart! I know he doesn't love her...in fact it is quite the opposite, but I still do not think that he is over what she did. This also makes communication and this whole "let's all get along" thing very difficult. My husband is not perfect by any means, and made some mistakes in the past, but he works extremely hard not only at his job, but at being a better person and strives to make better choices and do the right thing. I feel like my life is full and I have amazing friends and family. I am generally happy and love everyone, but she is the black cloud that just does not clear up...If it weren't for her, my life would be next to perfect! At the very least...drama free! LOL!