when I got married me and my son moved into my husbands home. It seemed like none of them wanted any changes business as usual. My son felt very out of place. The focus was more on SD and SS as always. My son is quiet and respectful. SS moved in with girlfriend and had a child leaving SD and my son. I thought ok now it's a little more balanced. SD created so much havoc for us my son would spend most of his time in his room this concerned me so i took him to a therapist that specialized in young people. Soon he was adjusting well. He always helped with yard work, washed cars and if there was a project he was always willing to help step dad. He likes him. My sons father my x is a horrible person. we were married 28 years. I was an abused wife. He was addicted to drugs off and on. Like Dr. Jecyl and Mr. Hyde. Always promising to change and battered wife syndrom is a hard thing to deal with. There are 16 years between my son and his older brother. I became ill in 2000 and had 2 surgeries for thyroid cancer. I call my youngest my blessing. he was 9 and I looked at him and thought life is so precious I cannot allow this child to witness the abuse anymore and divorced him. He was my motivation. Now he recently graduated basic training in the air force. He was so dissapointed when his step dad did not come with me. He thought they had a good relationship. Now his step dad will call and talk with him over the phone but i really feel he did not go because in some sick way he felt his kids would be jealous. My son is doing extrememly well and we were so fortunate that when he got his orders he will be stationed 45 minutes from here. So he and I will still be able to visit often.