For the most part, I have it easy compared to many on here. My FDH is a good parent, and minimizes the negative impact his previous life has on our current life. Rarely, he'll call me out for not giving his offspring more...let's call it "direction."

So Saturday I ran out of patience with thing 2, who is 14. For the umpteenth time, after being asked to perform a task (feed the puppy) that takes about 5 minutes to do, said task was not completed by the deadline (1.5 hours later). I waited until the task was not completed (as opposed to nagging or yelling) and asked thing 2 if they were okay being seen as a liar and someone who can't keep to their word. Thing 2's reponse (the same one I've hear a bazillioin times over the years)..."I lost track of time.". This is when I inquired if Thing 2 was okay with being the liar in the family, as no one could trust them to keep their word. The answer? A shrug.

FDH says I was " too final" in my response and made things worse. I say Thing 2 needs to decide if being a person of their word is worth anything, or if being see a s a liar and a cheat is okay. I'm just irritated that after pushing me to be more involved, the first time I step up to instill any of my values I'm told I did it the wrong way.

Shit.