Hi, Cari. My name is Tomi and I'm a recovering Internet Addict. hehe

About 10 years ago, when my marriage went sour, I spent almost all day on the computer interacting with people. It was the only "social life" I had. I didn't think I was doing anything wrong because, after all, I was an adult and had my rights. However, just recently, my youngest son, who was in high school at the time, has been expressing anger toward me for all the hours I spent on the computer. He felt abandoned and thought I didn't care about him anymore. Stories of peer abuse have been coming out latetly and I've asked him why he didn't tell me at the time. He said "I did! You were just too busy with your online friends to care!" Big OOOPS! It was a terrible time for me, but I had no right to ignore my son and his needs.

My advice to you would be to confront your mother with your concerns and feelings; yours as well as for your siblings, let alone your father's. Kids are in so much danger these days with drugs, gangs, etc. Your siblings need your mother's attention. When and if you decide to confront your mother, don't accuse. Make "I" statements. "I feel... I need... I think." Try to keep out the word "you" because you immediately put that person on the deffensive and they won't listen. Don't beat around the bush, either. Come to the point; make your communication clear, concise and direct. It's not easy, but it's necessary... one Internet Addict that knows.

Good luck!

<font color=blue>This above all: To thine own self be true. --Shakespeare</font color=blue>