I am so stressed right now. Being the only one bringing in any substantial money; and being the primary wage earner is NOT how I envisioned my 50s. But here we are.

I have a 15 year old SS who packs away food like two or three grown men. My DH, while working hard on his novels, games, fantasy universe, etc...isn't making any sales, because we can't afford to send him to the conventions or to market properly. I can't keep funneling money to his business when I can barely pay our bills. Which depresses him. Which depresses me.

One of my biggest pet peeves with my SS15 is his oppositional nature and backtalk. It doesn't matter what I say to him or ask him to do; he has an argument or sometime smart to say back. It has gotten to be problematic.

Yesterday, we as a family went to the movie. Finally got to see Guardians of the Galaxy 2 (Chris Pratt...yummy!) He was backtalking and being a little turd prior to leaving. I told him...I was tired of hearing it. He would face consequences if it continued. It did. I didn't say anything; I just looked at his dad and made a motion that let him know I was DONE.

I've been reading some blogs and forum posts. And my head is about to explode.

So many of us here in StepTalk have the same story. "He treats me like a babysitter." "The SKids are disrespectful." "I do everything; but he won't support my authority." yadda yadda yadda.

As you read deeper into the situation you can see definate signs of emotional, if not physical abuse. Yet, she stays. "But I have babies." "But I love him." "But he's a good man." "But, I can't afford to live on my own." But But But.

So yesterday...Yes, YESTERDAY, MAY 5th, my SS15 received a package from his BM. I was kind of confused when it came. I looked at DH and said, "What's this about?"

SS15 says, "Oh, I bet it's for Easter. You know she always sends things really late."

But that's not what broke my heart. That just make me chuckle inwardly because he is figuring her out.