I wanted to say that I really appreciate everyone's warm welcome to my post yesterday. It's always a 'hold your breath' situation when you kind of lay yourself out there, but all I received was compassion and understanding, which was a big relief.

To be honest, even if people firmly disagree with my back story I would still be open to their feedback. Not on what they might think of me, but with what I deal with within this new family that I love.

Anyway, I feel that my situation is a little unique; as everyone does I'm sure.

I am with a man who feels exactly the same as me in regards to raising a child. I think that was a huge relief to him as BM turned out to be a complete polar opposite of his parenting belief. So, he and I support each other 100%. He is not Disneyland Dad, my input is important, and I am allowed to 'discipline' my SD (although she has never given us reason..read on).

Okay, so SD is almost 6. I have never, NEVER seen a more well-behaved, calm, intelligent little girl in my life. She is smart, inquisitive, does as she's told, cleans up after herself, if we say no there are no complaints etc, etc. The only time I have heard this child raise her voice, let alone scream, is if we're playing tickles or outside, or dancing etc. She is a sponge and dying to learn everything!

I was into all sorts of things when I was a kid. I was a little ADD in my interests. From learning how to make balloon animals, to horseback riding, to gymnastics, to synchronized swimming, to origami, to crafts, to soccer etc...I've done it all.

BM is not a bad person. Just a naive, no common-sense, no instinct (as a Mother or in life), no love for life kind of person. She isn't active and has no motherly instinct. She's a selfish person and while she does cater to her daughters every whim, still isn't child centric.

So, you can imagine when I joined the picture it caused a lot of drama and jealousy. I was teaching her kid how to fly a kite, ride a bike, make sock puppets etc. Now SD was going home and demanding same from her Mother. BM is...I don't want to say lazy, but she doesn't ever want to do anything. She prefers to watch TV or go on the computer and expects the same from her kid. She has funny ideas that children need lots and lots of rest and relaxation. That too much energy expenditure will harm them...then she wonders why her 5 yr child will not go to bed until after 10pm...on school nights.

The insanity will become more clear as I blog more...it's all too hard to really write about everything and present it in a clear way when there is so much to write about.

Anyway, blog wrap up...thanks for reading. I chose to sign up now, b/c some ridiculous demands/bans just came over from the BM, but felt I should provide a little back story before I totally start venting about this woman.