I like my skid overall and do speak with him, but it's hard to really have a conversation with him. He lies so much you never know what's the truth and what isn't. He also only talks about computer games and stupid things he and his friends do in study hall. Not a lot of substance there.

Now, when Faux (exSS9) was with us, I refused to speak to him other than general pleasantries. The kid was telling BM that we abused him and he was "uncomfortable" in our home. There was a rule in our house where no one was to be alone in a room with Faux due to the threat of false allegations. I hate to say it, but we're all relieved that he's gone.

I never really hated my skid at all. He was just a very spoilt messed up kid. I certainly talked to him, but not like I would my own kids.

I was more of the friendly aunt type person. No parenting at all unless it was an extreme circumstance.

I talk to her, but most of the time I let her come to me first.

Although a bit spoiled, she's a pretty good girl and not too annoying most of the time.

I have stopped talking to them. I don't even look at them at the dinner table any more. My entire focus is on DH and occasionally my pets if they walk by.

For an entire year I tried to make small talk with them. They are unlike any other children I'm exposed to (friends' kids, siblings' kids). These two look at their feet and mumble one word responses during any attempt at making conversation. It's not just with me. They do it with their grandparents and DH too but not as bad as they do with me or my family and friends.

The last straw for me was when I had my nieces over to spend the night. All the kids are around the same age so I just assumed DH's kids could act normal and friendly since my nieces are very outgoing and fun to be around. Not a chance. Those 2 brats stayed in "their" rooms the entire time. Mind you, this is MY house and DH's kids only stay there EOWE so I graciously helped DH personalize those rooms for them so they would feel more comfortable when they were with us. They never once tried to interact with my nieces and MY nieces were the ones who slept in the living room on the pull out sofa. GRRRRR. I didn't want to make a big deal about it at the time but if we are ever in that kind of situation again my nieces get the bedrooms, skids are out in the living room. EFFF that.

When I see the skids I just have cordial or causal conversations.

I probably speak more to MSD when she is around because I ask questions about the baby.

YSD I rarely hold a conversation with. She is 15 and is snotty and lazy and rude. I have nothing to talk to her about.

MSD lives out of state. Dont see her very often. if I do see her, its just forced Hi, how are you. She has a baby too, so maybe a few questions about the baby.

SS- when I see him, we will talk. I will ask how he is doing, etc. He will actually engage in a conversation with me.

Thankfully I dont have to see the skids very often.

DH and I don't have any dark secrets or questionable living habits but I'm still extremely uneasy when his kids come over.

They tell BM everything. It's never anything that severely comprises my privacy, just stupid things. What foods we eat, what tv shows we watch, places we go together, our hobbies, things about our pets. BM got the girl a phone and it's gotten worse since then. DH refuses to restrict her access to the phone at our house.

One time BM showed up at the exact place DH and skids were meeting up with me after they were done with one of their school functions. I don't think that was a coincidence.

I hide mail and other documents. I don't even feel comfortable taking to DH sometimes for fear that they are lurking around the corner taking notes....or worse, recording us.

I speak very little to SD5. Not because I don't want to, but because she's impossible to have any kind of conversation with. As one post suggested, she's very one demensional. Ask her what she did at school all week and her response would be something like "my uncle has a donkey" WTF.... She's gets it honestly. BM has the IQ of a slug.

My DD6 is light years ahead of SD5; mentally, emotionally, and physically. I have a hard time with that. 2 year old in a 5 year old body. DF takes notice, and it bothers him. I can't help that. I can't fake anything lol! My expectations of my own children are high. That's the parent I am. Getting on that level is difficult.

I've just started emotionally disengaging with SD5 and yes my DH gets angry with me because now "I only talk to her when I'm asking her to clean up her mess" and "you say maybe 3 words in response and it seems like it's forced" hahaha but I can't help it. It makes me more comfortable to just not even bother. I don't want to, but for her sake and DH's to stay off my back, when she says things to me every now and then I'll just respond with a "ha" or "oh yeah".