To my in-laws superwife: (this is my so called 'follow up' to an actual letter i sent)
I imagine you read my first letter. I didn't expect a reply. Some of it was rather harsh, but I cannot excuse the way I felt (and still do feel) about the situation, and what has happened between your son and me. And the parts about how I missed you guys and the rest of the family were sincere, and I think you know that. As much as I did not miss your son during the holidays, I did miss his family, or what I thought was my family. But I guess we all have to move on.
So now, each time I think things are getting better, I take a giant step back. I did something that, according to your son, was inexcuseable. So now, your son feels the need to threaten me, saying he will petition for sole custody of ******. Despite what he has done to me, I have never once thought of trying to take his child away from him. Many thought I was crazy for 'letting him' see his child so much. I didn't. I couldn't do that to her, or to him. He loves **** and she loves him. He is not a bad father. He could use some help when it comes to maintaining a better home/environment, and taking her schooling a little more seriously. But i am choosing my battles wisely. He, on the other hand, is not. He feels the need to criticize everything I do. And I made one "mistake" and he's ready to take her away from me. Apparently there is no room for mistakes (although he's made plenty) As parents, I hope you find something wrong with this. I don't know if he has any idea what the process of petitioning for sole custody involves. Is he ready to make ****** choose who she wants to live with? She would need to endure a psych evaluation, and communication with judges and lawyers.
Anyway, I know you seem to be of the 'we don't get involved' school of thought. I hope I don't feel that way when ***** grows up and, perhaps, has a difficult marriage and needs some guidance. I'm sure your son has never asked for your input, he never does care what others think. But I'm asking you, for the sake of your granddaughter, to consider talking to him. Do you really think I am such a bad mother? I didn't think I was. But he makes me feel like one. And I wish he would look beyond his own anger and guilt and do the right thing for his child, and lay off me.
