If i marched into the living room and turned off the music that my stepkids were listening to without explanation after DH called them to the table for breakfast, am I being mean? Our living room and dining room are combined, so they could've kept listening while we ate if i didn't turn it off. we don't typically listen to music while we eat. the music was upbeat, i think it was lady gaga. it was around 9AM.

in our family, they call me by my first name. guess that is what we set up way back when i was introduced to them, and we never really thought much of it...but i've noticed that a lot of skids call their stepparents by pet names, or even "mom" or "dad" (which would absolutely freak our BM out).

anyway, just curious about how this works in other homes.

On Sunday afternoon following another tough weekend with SS7 acting out and getting yelled at nonstop by DH, we finally got the family to sit down and quietly watch "The Sound of Music." SS7 wasn't very interested, but SD5 and I were enjoying it, cuddling on the sofa and singing together.

But, suddenly -- SS7 comes alive during the scene where the captain breaks his engagement -- when the rejected woman is sadly walking away, SS7 looks at me and says, loudly, "That's you in the future."

we are having a party to celebrate our wedding this weekend (after getting married a while back). stepkids know we are married, and know that this party is just an after the fact celebration. SD5 and i are very close, she is wearing a pretty flower girl outfit and SO excited about the party, she talks about it nonstop.

anyway, SD5 has been having major separation issues at school in the last few months. it seems to have increased recently. DH is traveling a lot more often for work...and we have this wedding party looming this weekend.