My SS17 1/2 has been fairly tolerant of the whole situation we have here, but he seems to be getting more and more distant. He knew when he was 14 that his mom was cheating on his da. The poor kid heard the whole thing (I am amazed he's ok). He never told his dad what was going on, but wanted his dad to confirm what he already knew once his folks go divorced. DH gently, but not directly confirmed it.

Since the split, SS17 has been distant with me, but not rude, just kind of like "why do I have to talk to you?" I don't blame him. I know I am the intruder in his life and he sees me as the lesser of two evils. he doesn't like his mom much after what occurred and he can't stand her new hubby. He is never rude to the guy (we tell him always be respectful), but he's made it very clear to us, he hates him.

So, SS17 is at our house 5 days a week. Another problem: we had 50/50 but BM decided to move to another county with her BF at the time rather than staying with the kids. There was a lot of resentment for a while. SS17 wouldn't even visit her on weekends when she came here. He simply made up excuses or went to a friends house while mom was in town (he still kinda does). She actually said to me, "well he's gonna have to see me some time".

Lately it seems like he dislikes me more than just the usual I am a teenager and I hate my parents. I don't know what his mom says about us while he's with her or if he listens, but she has stirred the pot in the past. It backfired, but before he knew our side, SS17 got very hostile about things BM accused me of. We have proof of her talking directly and indirectly bad about us to or in front of the kids. They know the truth, but it doesn't help for them to hear any of it. We talk about her when they aren't around or go sit in the car in the driveway.

Do you guys thing this is just him being a teenage with the stress of getting ready to graduate, or is there really smething going on. Even DH says the kids all seemed really sad and wierd when they got back from BMs last night. They all usually need a day to snap out of it, but they seemed worse yesterday, particularly the oldest. Am I being paranoid? Should I try to talk to him and see if he's ok? I don't know what to do woth this quiet, introverted 17 yr old. Please help...