Today is the day before my SS10 flys far away to his mother for the next 8 weeks.

He pretty much can do whatever he wants these summer days. I occasionally ask him to check in or stop in for lunch. A lot to ask right?

Well, today I needed to run a few errands. So I asked SS where he'd be. He said at his friends or the woods. I said I needed to know specifically, because I had things I needed to do. He said the woods. I told him to come back at 10:30 (an hour) to check-in so we can decide where he'd be when I went to the store. Usually, I don't drag him with me bc I know he'd rather be with friends. I figured I'd ask his friends Mom to keep an eye out. So he agreed and went on his way.

10:30 rolls around. And passes. Then 11:00. He's been late many times before, so I'm not worried, but a little pissed. Then by 11:30 I call the Mom of the friend he was at the woods with. She says they're in her basement. I told her he was to check in with me. She said he's usually good about. Maybe at her house (but what good does that do us, his parents when he's checking in with his friend's parent, who lives across the street by the way). I told her the situation and she said, "At least he told you where they were going. I didn't know they were at the woods!" I told her it was information volunteered to me, I had to pry it out of him. Apparently these kids roam around like they are adults. Anyway, I told her to send him over.

He gets home and looks guilty. He said "I thought you meant be in the neighborhood at 10:30". I NEVER said that or uttered the word neighborhood. So wishful listening, kiddo. I just can't deal with a kid that refuses to take responsibility for EVERYTHING. I don't ask much, but my whole schedule can't revolve around a kid that plays dumb all the time. Logically it doesn't even make sense that I would want him back in the neighborhood at a specific time. How is that supposed to help me talk to him about his plans while I go to the store?

So my husband calls back, I explain to him I can't do this anymore. I want him to talk to his son and they need to find another form of supervision. My husband mumbles something about something happening on the last day. What is this, the last f*ing supper? Is my SS Jesus. He's leaving, why does this have to happen? GET A CLUE HUSBAND. He pulls this sh*t almost everyday. It seems like it always happens when he's about to leave because it happens ALL THE TIME.

Anyway, I tell my husband I don't want to deal with SS anymore today. He needs to talk to him. I was nice enough to call his friends Mom and confirm she'd watch him for the day. I would be in and out of the house and since SS can't follow rules and communicate, I do not want him in the house while I'm here, or gone. So my husband talks to him, SS leaves. Well I'm fixing my son lunch and in walks SS asking me if he can go do something with his friend. My reply "Didn't your Dad talk to you?". His reply "Yes". My reply "You're under Mrs. Friend's Mom's supervision today until your Dad gets home. You can leave now."

I call up husband and ask if he explained everything to him clearly. My husband said yes. So why did he come back to the house and start suddenly asking permission to play? I think my husband's embarassed. Obviously this child has a listening problem. Or he's really stupid. But I know he's not stupid. So the fact that he's so careles with instructions proves he doesn't take anyone seriously.

I told husband when SS gets back he might need to put him in an after school program. I've done my husband's and his ex-wife's job for long enough. SS is too young and immature to be allowed here when no adult is home. And when I am home without husband, I think I might require after-school care for SS. I can't keep putting up with having to track him down bc he refuses to obey simple instructions. Because as long as I'm his babysitter, I'm liable. And if I want to take my son to the park, but don't know where SS is, that interupts our life. It's too bad SS hasn't learned and will now have to give up time with friends after school bc he thinks he's above the rules. Its also too bad my husband took me for granted and didn't face his son's problems earlier.

Now if I can only have the balls to follow through with that and not be a pushover to husband!