Why it seems like so many here stay in these lousy situations. I don't say this to be mean or hurtful, or because I'm trying to be on a "high horse."

An OP named Strix said something recently that resonated with me. She said, "What I do not understand...although in my youth I might have fallen victim to it...is why good women stay with or tolerate abusive husbands. I don't mean to victim-blame. But when your CHILDREN are suffering from dysfunction...I would think a maternal instinct would override the need to be with a man."

If teen SKs "know better" than to act the way they do, do you think they also know there are better ways to deal with the hate, anger and jealousy they feel, like reaching out to friends, talking to their parents or another trusted adult, writing in their diary, etc.? Or do you think something else about it?

Alimony: I think it can be a good thing if the person receiving it is using it to better themselves by going to school/a training program for a career they're interested in so they can make a better life for themselves and their kids, and use it as a launching pad so that when the alimony stops, they'll have a decent-paying job and will be able to provide for themselves and/or their kids. And for those who already have jobs, if they are using it on the kids and/or on learning a new skill, good for them.

I know some of us (myself included) are, but was wondering exactly how many of us are.

BQ: What is different about your "step" situations with your own SPs vs. your situations with your SKs?

For me, it is that my parents cared enough to parent me and not let me treat others (SPs included) with disrespect.