Being new here, I'm not sure about your relationship w/ the kids. I assume you are the stepmother and have full custody w/ your husband.

Well, I hear a little fear in your post and a little glimpse of some freedom. Enjoy the latter and try not to let your mind wander into "what ifs."

I used to raise my 3 nephews (now 15, 17, 19) though unofficially. Their mom, my brother's ex-wife, was basically w/ them at night when they slept. I remember the first time she was taking them away for a week. I cried a river, worried about them, etc. She wasn't a druggie or alcoholic, just didn't think or have a maternal bone in her body. Anyway, as the week went on, I remember thinking, "This is the first time I've taken a leisurely bath in ages..." and so on. So, it was a very trying time for me and she'd never be courteous and let them call me, but I also tried to take some time for myself. I hope you can do the same.

Good luck,
Dana

So how are the three days going cawfecup?

I'm enjoying it vicariously!

Hubby called them last night too see how things were going. They were happy on the phone. They will be home at 3 ish today. My vacation is over.

I took naps. did some gardening. hung out with the older kids.

Oh turns out she worked 2 of the 3 days left them with a grandparent, cousin, and an aunt while she worked. Heard for 3 weeks how she was "sacrificing" her days off to spend them with the kids on their vacation week. Turns out she only had one day off.

BM was supposed to keep the kids till 3 on friday at 2:10 called asked if anyone was going to be home because she was dropping them off now. I could hear the oldest one in the background on the phone... Why are you always dropping us off early and picking us up late? don't you like being with us? thats why cawfe feels like a babysitter because you are always trying to get rid of us.

When the kids start ordering me around I tell them I am not the maid or the babysitter. BM encourages them to order me around. tell cawfe.... I said ... have her tell me!!!

eeks I have a lot to say today!!

It almost sounds as if these kids will turn against her before it is over with. That is not your fault. Just keep being the person you are and it will benefit you. Now you know why the kids sounded happey...they weren't with her those two days!!

She filled the "one day off" she had with drs appts. OH how do I know? The bills came in yesterday with the prescriptions enclosed. So now we have 3 dr visit co-pays and 4 prescriptions to fill. (allergy pills because she had to have a dog.)

Here we go with the 50% flaw... she refuses to pay her half... "I pay CS I don't have to pay co-pays" She's just a peach. She has found another way to strap us more financially with drs appts and therapy appts(if she wasn't such a "peach" would they need therapy). Co-pays and prescriptions are than her CS payment.

::running to staples for invoices::