<r><COLOR color="black"><s></s>My fiancée’s Ex is a complete pushover. Almost to the point of apathy when it comes to discipline and the twins (two eleven year old boys). They stay up late, they eat ice cream and pizza, and lament when they have to return home Sunday evening to a (sorta) structured and disciplined environment. I'm wondering if his lack of cooperation is making our otherwise very relaxed demands on our children seem absolutely absurd considering their chosen activity is playing video games constantly. Because Mippie (nickname for Mickie) is pregnant and gestationally diabetic, we are trying to encourage the family to go walk around the apartment complex on a nightly basis. We have one of them take out the garbage, and another doing the vacuuming most nights. We have an allowance for them in an attempt to teach them a work ethic, but this doesn’t seem to be working. I do blame myself; I am not a very consistent example. Being 23 when I entered into the relationship with Mickie and the boys thrust me into a very sudden parenthood. I was warned by Mickie that it wouldn’t be simple or easy, and it had been due to my absences for work (they lasted a week at a time) and now the situation allows more face time and I find myself unable to talk to them much. I pick them up and do the ‘wrasslin’ with them from time to time but they don’t seem to like me much. I’m concerned about them liking me. But I’m more concerned with being a good example and role model, if that journey takes me inward then I welcome the advice and criticism. <e></e></FONT><e>[/COLOR]</e></COLOR></r>