His attitude may be in relation to your change in attitude, right? Relax. He's 17 and pretty much fighting for independence. Almost an adult in age.
As for her - what did you expect exactly? Step back and think of it this way - she wants/needs to think of you as the bad guy. Not that you did anything, but if you let her she'll push enough that you will be. Self-fulfilling prophesy so similar.
She can't see anything nice about you. If she did, she might have to admit she was crazy or wrong or worse, that you're a good guy which would mean she was crazy or wrong or ....
See the logic bomb? She wants/needs you to be the bad guy so much she is even willing to create stories/reasons/etc. to support that.
Does that seem odd to you at this point?
This is her trip. You're just getting in the way, man. She will try to drag you into it too. Actively. You can either go along or you can step off the train. Either way, you'll have to work at it.
Is what it is, Tad. Like it, love it, or hate it, it has to be done.
As for your son, I don't think she is really going to be able to get him to do anything he doesn't want to do. He knows better regardless of what he hears from his mother.
Bottom line: let her complaints wash over. Let 'em go. She wants to complain about paying you child support?!? Let her. She wants to complain to your son about it?!!? You can't stop that. She accuses you of things she does (transference anyone?)?!?? The very thought!
You can love your son as best you can. Nothing more than that, Tad. She can try to take him, but let's face it he is pretty much an adult and can make up his own mind. He'll do what he needs to do and you need to let him and let him know you love him. You can't stop him. You can't control him. I don't think you would want to either...
Be good to yourself and step back a little further Tad. Be patient with yourself and be good to you. You aren't superhuman
AJ
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter" MLK Put the glass down... "Yesterday I was clever so I wanted to change the world Today I am wise, so I am changing myself."
