I often invite friends or my siblings over EOW when SS comes to visit. I find he likes to have these "parties" (they aren't really parties... just dinner) and it helps me to keep my sanity. I also find that he's slightly better behaved when friends come over.

PLUS - it helps him see that his dad and stepmom have a life that doesn't revolve around him. We have friends! Gasp!

We don't have to entertain him all evening when we have friends over... and he often asks if someone is coming over.

His mom doesn't EVER have friends over... or have friends in general. In the 16 years she and my DH were married, they never had a guest who wasn't one of their parents in their home. She doesn't clean, so she is embarrassed to have anyone see the house. This also means that skids aren't allowed to have friends come over.

SS is 10 - and he likes to help get the house ready for company. He helps me set the table for dinner, or light candles, or vacuum the carpets. Honestly... before I started doing this, I thought I'd go crazy EOW. He drove me nuts. Now we have all day Saturday to hang out with him, and all day Sunday... but Saturday evenings we have "parties". He sits at the table and learns how to engage in adult conversation and behave himself. I think its healthy.

The funny part is that his sisters (13 & 16) won't ever come over. When SS10 told them that we have friends, they tried to tell him that "adults don't have friends". Then, BM sent DH a text message blowing up on him that we are "partying instead of taking care of HER son". Hah. Yeah - its a real CRAZY party, lady. Complete with appetizers and homemade dessert.

Whatever. I just thought I'd pass on the tip for those of you struggling EOW. It has helped me. I think its helped DH too.