Gabriel,
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I work about 70 hrs/wk

Dude, you are my hero! I work about half that much, with the kids' schedules and the commute from, well, you know, that hot place.
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W furthered this view, but asking how dare I try to 'indoctrinate' S5 in Catholicism (I'm Catholic), accusing me of attacking her beliefs. I said quite frankly, "W, I don't even know what you believe. All I know is that you've attended at least 3 different faiths, and I know that I will be teaching S5 what it means to be Catholic. I will do that. Just as you are teaching him what you like."

I used to thank W because as I saw it, she was doing more than she had promised. She had promised not to interfere with me teaching the kids about Catholicism. She accompanied us to Mass for several years, though she always visibly "tuned out" during the readings and the homily. But Mrs. Angel Neighbor told me last month she once mistook W for Catholic when they moved next to us five years ago, and W told her, "I only go so I can find out what the Catholic Church is teaching my kids and then undo it."

W has never been a member of any congregation of any faith in all the time I've known her. We were married at the Presbyterean church in SC where MIL was a member.

Sticking up for S5 that way is definitely taking the high road. When your W has some idea how she wants to worship, S5 needs to know about that, too. In the meantime, he's better off learning from someone who has a faith to share.
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MIL abused W and my 2 BILs, and FIL knew and let it happen over 2 decades. So I trust them about as far as I can throw them, and am glad S5 is insisting that W make the final call if I'm not there. This is very delicate boundary-setting, but s/t that I believe has to be done.

I'm not joking in the least. You are a hero.
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Yet, she called me just now 'by accident'

The woman knows that her R with you is the best R of her life. Who else cares for her the way you do? Who else could ever love her son the way you do? She's confused and in pain, but she's not stupid.

You're doing great.

Thanks,

K

My sitch
More importantly, Light A Million Candles