Dear Heifer

[Philyra]

 Please drop the act of the well-meaning step-mother.  You suck at it.  I would appreciate it if you would kindly remember that my son is MY son, and that he doesn't need your "help."  I know you think I'm disgraceful as a mother because I don't allow my child to play a lot of video games, eat loads of junk food, or watch certain things on television.   I've said nothing about what he does when he is at his dad's house, because that his is dad's business, and I know he is going to make sure his son is all right.  You, on the other hand, are just spiteful.   You made up your mind at the beginning that you hated my guts and that I was a horrible person and mother before you even knew me.  I was fully prepared to welcome you and accept you as a loving mate for my son's dad, but you've had none of that.  Now, it's not enough to hate me, but you have to make my son feel as if he doesn't measure up to yours?  So what if my son isn't into school sports?  He never has been.  He has always preferred more individualized activities, like martial arts.  And my son is very smart;  his test scores last year were off the charts for his age.  He has a brilliant head on his shoulders.  Your son can get a little ball from one end of a field to the other.  Yay.  So can a chimp.  Stop trying to make my son feel as if he has to be a jock in order to be worthy of praise.  I love sports as much as any other good ol' southern girl, but I've learned there is more to life.  I want my son to learn the same.  Life is full of competition, yes.  But competition is meant to bring out the best in us, the desire to work hard, to work as a team, not just to crush an opponent.  My greatest desire for my child is that he grow up to be a good person.  If he is a good, intelligent, hard-working man, I will be more than proud.  Having a child with a loving heart and a strong moral compass is more evident of successful parenting than having one who can always come out on top.  That's why I am writing this on here.  I need to vent, and I refuse to bad-mouth you in front of my son.  He sees the best in people and wants to love, not crush, everyone he meets.  I've tried to see the best in you, but I've come to the conclusion that there is no "best."  You are just a spiteful heifer.