When we picked up the skids yesterday for the annual hand off, SS11 didn't cry as he usually does after each summer. I honestly think he is coming to terms with it, very slowly.
HOWEVER, BM saw both kids weren't crying and then started crying and said "won't you miss me?" and then SS11 ran back and hugged her and choked up.

I wasn't mad about this because this is the sort of thing that I know her to be capable of because THIS is the true BM I know. Just when I thought she had changed ... she is still the same manipulative, selfish and vindictive person that DH left over 7 years ago.

I am blogging about it now because today, when I asked SS11 if there was something on his mind (he was extremely quiet all day), he sighed and said "well, remember how you said the older I get, the easier this split will be? Well, it IS easier and I feel bad about it cuz Mom thinks I don't love her."

She hasn't physically said this to him but he isn't stupid and that is exactly the guilt trip she was trying to put on them.

And as much as it hurt me to stick up for this wretched woman, I can't stand to see SS11's pain. He gets on my nerves and can be such a moody little pill but I love that kid. I really do. So much so it hurts ME.

So I replied with "she knows you love her but even though we are adults, sometimes we get confused by our feelings or can't understand other people's feelings. She probably couldn't tell the difference between your happiness and acceptance of the situation, that's all, and unless you tell her what you are thinking, she has to guess. In this case, she wasn't quite on the money. So why don't you try letting her know exactly how you feel if it is bothering you this much?"

He called her after that.

I think I just made it worse because when he came out of his room, his eyes were red. But then he was back to cracking jokes and not so quiet anymore.