A little background.. we have had full legal and residential custody of my stepson who is 9 since December 2017. Bm lives across the country and is ordered by courts to pay for all visitation expenses. Bm is lazy and doesn't work so hes only been out to see her once and her parents paid for that visit. Bm is a total piece of shit. She did not raise stepson. Her parents did. She was neglectful and abusive. We finally got custody and are so happy we did. Stepson is growing up in a much better home now. And believe it or not bm has no mental health issues or drug addiction... shes just a lazy piece of shit.

anyway, stepsons grandfather on his mother's side is dying. This is the man that raised him so it's like his dad dying. We finally told stepson tonight about his grandfather dying. We felt it was best to be honest with him so the death doesn't come as a shock.

Stepson is VERY sensitive and suffers from depression and anxiety due to his mother's abuse and neglect. He is the SWEETEST child you will ever come across and he loves me to pieces, just like I love him. It is heartbreaking to hear him cry. He wanted to sleep in our room tonight because he said he is very sad and depressed. We made him a comfy bed on our floor. I was laying next to him and just listening to him. I didn't have much to say to him to make him feel better but I felt it was best that he had a listening ear at least.

I dont know how to cope with this. We are going to send stepson out to Arizona for the funeral and we want to take him out there to say goodbye but we really cant afford both trips and cant take that much time off work. We may only be able to send him for the funeral

I dont know what bm is going to do. BMs mother is intellectually disabled and bm has no idea how to pay Bill's or keep a roof over their heads. They're going to end up homeless. Not that it's my problem but I do feel bad and have been trying to be there for her. I like to keep things civilized for stepsons sake.

I'm heartbroken for my stepson. I love him so much and I dont want him to be in pain. Often times he comes to me when he is suffering because I am a better listener than his dad so this is a lot of weight for me to carry.