Me, I agree - S6 needs to be able to express himself, but in an appropriate way. I've already experienced it at times, so I know he'll take his turn venting at me. We just need to teach him basic respect. I think you're right about the WAS pulling for general concern/caring behavior.
K, thanks for the comments about providing stability. I'm working hard at self-care to make that more of a longterm possibility from me to him.
Things continue along a more peaceful/friendly tone: XW and I sat together at his swim lesson yesterday. She seemed anxious at first, but I climbed up the stadium seating to sit next to her, noticed that her hair reflected her natural curliness and said, "I love your hair!" She laughed and said, "Nothing like letting it air-dry!" XW has done a 180 in terms of cosmetics/looks, going frequently to get hair/nails/etc.. done. It was interesting to me that I spontaneously loved her "look" that was natural and not "done" by someone else. But I digress...
~ 1 hr of friendly chatter about S6, with an interesting amount of questions about 'the' (my) house, what I'm doing with it, with her peppering in comments "oh, that's good!" "thats a nice idea" that will work out well." She was more closed off with her responses about her place, but did comment in general to my fewer 'safe' return inquiries.
I walked them to the car afterwards, and we seemed way more comfortable with one another than we have in the past when I've done so.
I have S6 overnight tonight. Maybe we'll do pizza... Should be fun.
My cold is letting up. I'm sooo looking forward to exercising tomorrow.
