A couple things that may help: Yep, they know how to push buttons to get what they want. Like a two-year-old trying to get some candy, they will stop at nothing. In many ways, they are just like a selfish two-year-old. But we aren't their parent, so some things are very different.
You'll see at the top of the forum some information under Smurf's posting that has a lot of links. You can also search for Cadet and find his list of links (updated to be more current I imagine).
Some useful information to look at. In the link I put above, there's a link to a book that Snodderly (changed to job) talked about. I think you may want to have a look there as well.
Finally, don't misunderstand what I was saying about my own situation. I truly only told you so you'd know it may not go away. Many people who knew about my situation told me it would go away shortly after she left. Then it was shortly after she married. Or after she finished school. Or... But you should also understand I am not in the least sorry it happened. I feel for my kids, but I am just fine. If not better because of the experience. Not that I'd like to have admitted that before, but it is what it is.
Don't be so hard on yourself
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."
