Everybody lies. Yes, EVERYBODY!

I understand your concern. I don't agree with the "just shrug it off" attitude. Why? When these boys hit age 18, where are they going to be in life? They won't be able to do ANYTHING for themselves. It is a job as a parent to help prepare them for the real world, and this means doing things like enforcing chores and not waiting on them hand and foot. And, this is likely going to set them up for relationship issues in the future. I mean they will have to find women who are OK with doing all the cooking, cleaning, and waiting on them hand and foot. Uhm, stop me if I'm wrong, but there aren't a lot of women who truly enjoy doing that for a man. The chances of them suddenly switching from being having everything handed to them to doing things for themselves when they turn 18 is pretty darn slim. So yes, your husband is doing his children a huge disservice.

But, as a step-mother, what can you do? Probably not a whole lot. Its sad, but for the most part, you may just have to watch this train wreck happen. Well, hope it won't be a train wreck, but know that these kids will have a rocky transition to adulthood----that is, if your husband actually decides to cut the proverbial apron strings at age 18, which I am doubtful of as well. (He'll probably continue to do much of the things they should be doing for themselves.)

Yes, he is in la-la land about the lying issue. I was a great kid, but I had a lot of secrets from my parents and yeah, I did lie to them. What kid doesn't!?!? Its all a part of growing up. Denial isn't just a river in Egypt.....