This is long, but the background is important. I grew up the youngest of three and I came much later, so I was practically raised as an only child. My sister dropped out of high school her senior year and ran off with her bf (got married, had 2 kids, divorced, married again, divorced and now lives with and mooches off of me and my parents with no education or career). My brother made my parents pay three years of private tuition for him to become a pilot and then he dropped out (never repaid them, in fact went on to rob them blind of all their savings in a failed business attempt). I went to public school, got a full ride to college and graduated .. then got 2 master’s degrees. I started supporting my parents (and my sister who lives with them) when I was 22 and still in college and I still support them today by myself with no help from my brother or sister. I got married when I was 29 (im now 32) to my preschool-sweetheart … and I know for a fact that my siblings envied that.. but everyone loved him and so did I. We’re going through an emotionally horrific divorce right now where we’re both still very much in love with each other, but I can’t forgive him. The problem is that my brother and sister are now treating me like $hlt at the most vulnerable time in my life. When she left her husband, I was there and when he went to jail I was there. When her son had cancer, I was there (even though she wasn’t) and when his fiance cheated on him, I went to bat for him even though no one else did and they all took her side. This is the first time in my life that I have needed to know that they have my back if I need them … which I haven’t … but they criticize me, ridicule me and put the blame of my failed marriage on me. Why are they acting like that? I don’t understand why they can’t be supportive … growing up, my brother was the favorite and my sister did everything in her power to get attention … I pretty much was in the shadows and I was fine with it… I’ve been a loner since I was an infant and I love it… are they upset at me that for once the attention is on me? I can’t fathom why two people who have been so nice to me over the years have now turned on me … it’s not because they’re sorry he’s leaving, it’s like they’re gloating … I just need help trying to understand this. I’m trying to be rational and mature about this whole thing and I hate that for the first time in my life I’m feeling victimized … I have NEVER felt sorry for myself until now .. I guess what I’m trying to ask is, why are they treating me like this?

Ok am seriously trying to find out this movie I watch with my daughter years back and I only know a few details. Could you tell me name of this movie?

"Two Families both single parent families plan an holiday to the same beach and same villa at the same time, oh yeah they don’t know each other (I think). Anyway The Dad has three children (I think) and The Mum has two children. I remember them traveling on a bout that carries Cars to get to the villa. In the end the children try and set the Mum and the Dad up to like each other and the Mum and Dad fall in love"

Unfortunately I can’t remember anything else sorry

I will search every film you can think off, lol

Thanks

Marcia
I don’t think this film is recent maybe 2000 1999 2001 those times
The family’s were double booked
The Villa (which is more like a beach house) is on the beach somewhere in USA and you need to take one of those Boat Car Transfer things across the river
Yes Thank you Meg and Marilyn It was called Bitter Suite formaly know as Time Share

I can finally go out and buy it now, lol

Thanks

Marcia

I divorced from my ex husband when my children were 3 and 1. He immediately got together with the woman he was cheating on me with and after a long (over 1 year) custody battle, he ended up winning custody. Not only because he told a ton of lies in court, but because he now had a two parent household and I had a single parent household.

My kids are now 10 and 12. I have every other weekend visitation and holidays. Lately they’ve been saying they don’t want to come see me, because they want to play with their friends and do all the fun things their dad and step mom tell them they missed out on when they’re with me. I try as hard as I can to make their time fun with me, but since I only have them 4 days a month, our time is obviously limited.

How do you handle it when your child tells you they don’t want to see you? I love my children with all my heart and I’m torn-do I make them stay because I love them and want to see them any time I can, or do I let them go?
I should point out- yes, there are lies told by the other side. I honestly don’t believe it’s from ym ex, but from the step mother. The kids have told me straight out that she’s said I didn’t have custody ebcause I didn’t want them, that SHE carried them in her stomach, etc. The oldest looks a lot like me and the step mom tries everything she can to change her appearance- cuts her hair, colors it blonde (her color) etc. She is also letting them get away with murder so I look like the "mean one" if I have rules. They also make a lot more money than I do, so I can’t buy boats and expensive cars and costly clothes. I don’t make pennies, but they’re spoiled over there and i can’t compete financially. Because they are with me only every other weekend, they don’t have those close friendships established with a lot of kids at my place. I’ve asked them if they wanted to invite any of their other friends over but they say no, I think they are embarrassed, most their friends don’t know I exist.
I do go out of my way every time I have them to ensure we do at least one fun activity- go to the movies, go to golfland, go bowling, play board games, baking, shopping, etc etc.

Also, they do have their own rooms with 25" tv’s, cd’s, movies, games, toys, video game systems, etc. I didn’t want it to seem like they are visitors in my home, even though it’s only every other weekend. I have repeatedly told them how my door is always and will always be open for them at any time.

I’m looking for statistics that talk about the prevalence of single parent households where teenagers (13-17) are present. Ideally, I’d love stats over the last 50 years but any stats would be great…

I find the whole adoption "thing" like a massive maze of which I haven’t managed to find much information relevent to my own personal situation. I am 39 years old, single and looking at international adoption. I would love a hand to get me headed in the right direction. I am also considering going to live in my country of choice so I can adopt from there and am considering the Philippines.

regards,

Natalie.