One month down, zero casualties

[Raine]

Oh man T I'm thinking if FIL opens his mouth with even a hint of "what is wrong with you" all hell will break loose. This is how I see that going:

Me: H, really listen to what you dad is saying, and when he is done, repeat back what you heard him say.
FIL: You've are lucky to be where you are and I can't believe you abandoned your family like my father did to me. Get your act together. You have a great life and have no idea what real depression is.
H: F*** you! What about you, Dad?!
(Insert John Bender's scene in Breakfast Club.)
Me:FIL, is what H repeated back what you meant to say? Do you have anything to add to it, or correct?

Okay not that bad, but the imagery came to mind and made me laugh. I had to paint it for you.

I think I could jump in like that and keep things calm and make sure each is being heard, but actually having one of them start the convo, I don't know if that will happen. I might be able to get FIL to if I tell him some things like H having a hard time with x,y,z and it would help him if he could resolve those things and be heard about them. How can it happen without me instigating anything? Maybe if when H brings up something relevant I can say to him he really needs to resolve things with his dad. Three months is a lot of time to plant some seeds. I think I like that route better. Rather H is not mad at me for pulling strings with his dad or anyone.

FIL is a big drinker. I think he uses it to numb. H doesn't drink at all, cause he knows that's why he would. In the end of this, the addiction to the bottle might be harder to drop than the addiction to the boob. (See what I did there? With the whole baby vs mlc addiction play on words?)

If having them here gets too big for my britches and shovels, I'll just tell them to head to Vegas, and don't worry, I'll stay back and watch the kids. "No, no it's okay. I really want to go, but I want you guys to have a good time..."

I think he is getting there too, slowly. But I guess it wouldn't be a crisis if it was fast and easy. Fast and easy is what is keeping him in crisis. Yes, that was yet another other woman joke (yaowj). Ba doom ching!

Thanks for the props. I think so highly of you, T. It means a lot!