hi Laura,
you're welcome.

it's really difficult to speculate on how people are feeling or why they do certain things without having the benefit of knowing them. And even then, it's not easy. in my life, people aren't always tuned into how i'm feeling unless i tell them. one of my mom's favorite phrases is, "penny for your thoughts." i was an enigmatic child, and i still am quite a mystery as an adult (so i've been told on more than one occasion). i attribute it to my keeping to myself. all my feelings, thoughts, ideas...i'm a very inward person.

i guess what i'm trying to say is that, in my opinion, the only way one person can know what another person feels or thinks is to have sincere, open dialogue. it's one of the ways we grow in our relationships. it sounds like it might be important for your son to say what his feelings are toward his relationship with your husband (feeling disloyal to his father?) and for your husband to say how he feels. it's easy for us to tell him that he shouldn't compare himself to your son's father, that he should just be himself and have that kind of relationship with his stepson. you mentioned jealousy. how so?

...and, you can ramble all you want. that's what this place is for.

take care,

splash