[Cerek the Barbaric]

sauceman - First of all, I just want to say that you are extremely mature for your age. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] It sounds like your stepdad has several "issues" involved with his being a STEP-dad...and it sounds like he needs to get over some of them. The fact that you can look past HIS immature behavior is admirable.

Now for the daily dose of sagely, barbaric advise [img]smile.gif[/img]

I sincerely hope your stepdad didn't actually throw your games away this time. I know myself I've told MY kids that I had gotten rid of certain toys when I had actually just hidden them away for awhile. Of course, my boys are much younger than you (oldest is only 6), but I HAVE thrown some of their toys away before - when the toys were thrown in a fit of anger, especially if they were thrown at me. I've told them before "If you get mad enough to throw your toy across the room...make sure it lands in the trash can. If you don't, I will." I've only had to do that a few times to prove I wasn't bluffing and that ended the "flying toys" problem.

Your stepdad may (or may not) be right in taking your games away...but he was NOT right in doing it in such a sneaky, underhanded way. And he is NOT right in tossing them since the note said you don't need them until after graduation (which fosters the hope that he may be bluffing you this time). Still, if he did, there is nothing that can be done about it now...and eBay is a GREAT source for replacing games at a good price.

As for your grades, your stepdad (and most everybody else on this thread) is right. A "D" will definitely go against you when you start applying to colleges. Colleges and universities look very closely at your high school transcript when deciding whether or not to "accept" you. Now I can also completely sympathize with your struggle in Economics. Chemistry and Physics were my weaknesses in high school. I was an above-average student who never made below a "B" in any academic class - until I got to high school chemistry and physics. As you said, I simply could NOT get a handle on those subjects no matter how hard I tried. I struggled valiantly through chemistry (and managed to BARELY pull a B in the class), but I ended up dropping Physics entirely my senior year. I could barely make a D in the class and I didn't want to ruin my G.P.A. Since I had enough credits to graduate, I just dropped the class before it got too bad.

As for you step-sister's problems...those will only get worse until her dad starts putting the responsibility on HER instead of your mom. And he can place the blame anywhere he wants, but it is HIS daughter, so he ought to be taking a serious interest in the matter rather than trying to blame your mom for her behavior. But that's not really your problem. While you still live in the house, try to follow the path of least resistance with your stepdad. Do whatever you have to to avoid his ire.

When you're done with college and are living on your own, he won't have any control over you anymore. Then (if your mom hasn't already kicked him out), you can always go back and BEAT THE EVERLOVIN' SNOT OUT OF HIM!!!! [img]graemlins/whackya.gif[/img]

Just Kidding . This time next year, this incident {hopefully} won't seem nearly as important as it does now. And maybe your stepdad will "ease up" a bit once he sees you bringing home good grades from college.

Best of luck to you sauceman - Don't let him get you down. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]