If you had a relative that you’d put on notice three different times to respect a solid boundary to stay away from you and they refused, what would you do?
For the most part, there’s no harm that’s being done other than emotional stress and when the person comes into my home, they talk smack about me and ends up making me feel so bad and depressed.
I finally got the nerve to ask the person to stay away – but they refuse.
This person has come to my front door – before leaving, slammed the door shut.
This person has come to my …read more

I’ve been struggling with a heavy dose of teen-attude the last few weeks – more so than previously.
After my kids begged me to allow them to return to public school, so they could participate in the sports they love and return to the social scene they realized they loved, I agreed to let them return – but with strict rules in place.
They’ve adapted quite well to the re-entry and it seems their friends are excited to see them back. However, the return has caused a great deal of competition between two of the boys.
I didn’t realize the one boy …read more

While caught up in my endless addictive reading mode on one of my favorite message boards, I stumbled on a discussion about a blended family who is struggling over family and financial issues.
A few facts:

The son lives with the father and stepmom.
Stepmom has child who is 18 and lives with father.
Husband manages household finances in one account.
Wife is told they are too broke and can’t give her son money for car repairs
Husband spends a great deal on his child’s sports activities
The couple have a small toddler together

Given that set of circumstances above, what do you think would be …read more

It’s been almost one week since my father-in-law passed away. As with most trying times, I am forcing myself to reflect on the week of events and learn whatever lessons life might have been trying to teach me.
Those who know me, know how I feel about blended families and how much unique respect blended families require. Being married five years has me resigning to the fact that I can’t force others to respect my unique family, but what I can do is not permit those who lack respect to enter our lives anymore than they absolutely have to.
I’m not …read more

Betcha can’t figure out just how I might have stumbled on this little goldmine of advice?!?!
I know there are times when many mom’s feel extremely alone or as if they are living in an isolated case of clash of the in-laws, but this family and marital issue is as old as marriage itself.
As best I can tell, and I could be wrong, this is most common with the mother’s of the husbands – where the problems do actually exist.
I have to admit, I have a wonderful relationship with my EX in-laws and know just how lucky I am when it …read more

As the holidays grow ever so near – our plans for the holidays begin to unfold. While my blended family is hinging on the “broken side” I still have an interest in what happens within these four walls and to whom they happen to.
My stepson has been planning and looking forward to going to his mother’s for the four day holiday weekend. He does participate in school sports and this has created a problem.
He explained to the coach that ‘by law’ he has to go to his mother’s in another state for the holiday. There is a wrestling meet that …read more

It’s been five years since I became the step-mother character in my own blended family reality series having been familiar with and playing only the mother role in life. During that time I have endured some of the most complicated, frustrating challenges I’ve ever known.
Having been raised in a split family that was often referred to as overly functional – I have a difficult time grasping any concept that doesn’t offer a unique respect to the blended family itself. And find it very difficult to offer respect to any one person who doesn’t attempt to offer that unique respect …read more

It’s no big secret that I have a leading role in a blended family life. It’s by far, the toughest role I’ve ever played – even to the point of being more difficult then mothering premature twins.
Ever since my kids were tiny, I’ve seen what split families and blended families should be like based on my own relatives who live in overly functional dysfunctional families.
I’ve attended birthday parties where the mother, stepfather, father, stepmother, both sets of grandparents and step-grandparents were in attendance and everyone got along!
Just before Halloween, I went to the mailbox and pulled out three envelopes from …read more

Yesterday was much more than ‘just another Monday.’ In fact, it was a Monday that is best described as manic Monday. We had several appointments and errands that consumed the majority of daylight. Don’t you love when that happens?
Naturally, carting two boys around, they’re bound to get hungry – as if there’s any getting hungry to it. With my three, I don’t think the hunger ever really goes away, they just seem to forget food and replace it with something like a hot girl or video game.
We decided to hit up a pizza joint so I could have the salad …read more

A misbehaving child can be terribly frustrating for any parent, but it’s even worse when it’s someone elses kid that you’ve committed to caring for.
Supernanny offers up tips to save your peace of mind and keep that child in line.
Of course I think it’s a bit ‘fluff’ and run a much tighter ship, but if you wish to remain on the proper side of the law and keep your friendship, Supernanny’s way might be the way to go.
Come to think of it, I don’t get asked to babysit too often
I do have friends that tell me I keep …read more