Christine-

Teenage years are tough. My ex and I separated when our daughter was 13 and our son was 10. One of the things I said to my ex was “it is not really a good time in our childrens' lives to be divorcing, teenage years are tough enough”. His response “they will be fine”. Ya know, he was right. However, it had nothing to do with him and it took a lot of hard work by my husband and me to make them “fine”.

My daughter went through a wild stage right after we divorced. She basically took advantage of me being so messed up by the things my ex did to me. (She lied, posted a sexual video of herself on the internet, drank and smoked pot-these are the things we found out about there is probably a lot more). My current husband is the one who made me wake up and focus on my children. I was WAY too trusting with my kids. I was a good kid, never caused trouble. I was a virgin until I was 25 (not that I wanted it that way, it is just the way it happened). I hoped my kids would be like me. Unfortunately they are not. My daughter is all about her wants and needs, and screw everybody else. It is sad.

My son, on the other hand, seems to be more compassionate. We have also had some tough times with him (unfortunately involving the law). However, over the past year he has come around. He finally sees his father for the loser he is. He no longer idolizes him. My husband has been a big factor in turning him around. He makes him accountable for his actions. He is always telling me because I was a good kid, I do not have the experiences to draw on. He does. He says there is nothing the kids can do that he hasn’t done in his life. This doesn’t mean he is right all of the time, just more skeptical of their actions.

I can only imagine where my kids would be if I had not met my husband. I know I am a good mother. I ALWAYS put their needs ahead of my own. I am just a little naļve to the ways of the world.