So, I've never really seen eye to eye with my mum. I was always a daddy's girl but he skipped out on us when I was three, then again when I was 5 and 9. Now I'm more of a grandmas girl.

My mum remarried about two years ago. I like my step dad. He's seems more likely to be my father than my own flesh and blood. We're both closed in, quiet and personal people. We get along fine.

Unfortunately, my mum told me that she and my step dad are getting a divorce. It's not pretty at home. Mum and David are always fighting, David is always picking on me and my brothers now and I'm not allowed to talk to my step brother.

My mum doesn't think things through. She's more of an act on impulse kind of person. One minute she's saying "I'll ignore him, theres no way im being run out of my own house." Then the next she throwing things into suitcases and taking us to stay with her friends.

I'm seventeen and old enough to take care of myself. I cant leave, her friends live no where near my work or campus. But this has been going on for weeks now. My mums back and forth between home and friends and my aunts house. My little brother hates it. My big brother wont come home. I have to buy my own groceries, with the money I have saved for a car because my mum isnt home when i am and wont leave money for food in case my step brother or dad take it.

My mum has never been self reliant. My grandma has always done everything for her and us kids. Mum doesnt drive, she doesnt buy our clothes, take us to the doctors, I even have to make my brother dinner, lunches, get him ready and take him to school. If I had a choice, to live with my step dad or my mum I'd choose my step dad. But that wont ever happen now because I'm related to my mother and he hates her and everything to do with her now.

I'm not really sure what i should do. I cant go to my grandmas coz she's on holidays for another 2 months. If my step dads home and I am he said he doesnt want to see me out of my room. My mum starts fights with me all the time because i wont support her and leave the house. My grades are falling. I'm having a hard time sleeping and I'm just really tired and over everything.

Another thing, my mum has three kids,heaps of pets an addiction to smoking a packet of cigarettes a day, drinking wine at night and she has no job. She also has spur of the moment desires to hit up her credit card over its limit. If she divorces my step dad, we'll have no money, we'll have to sell our home, we wont be able to pay for my courses and my little brothers dad will most likely get custody of him. Things are just too much for me to handle atm.

Chickie you poor thing.... That is absolutely horrible for a young girl to be going through.... Maybe the next time your mum isn't in the house at the same time as your step dad try and talk to him and let him know how you feel.... It might seem hard cos of his reaction towards you at the moment but he might be thinking as you are her daughter that you would automatically do and say what she wants.... If he knew how you felt about him he might think a little differently towards you... Just a thought....

Also maybe try and work something out with a friend and see if you can crash there when it's really tough or when your mum decides to split each time so you are still close to work and school.... If you need to talk you can PM me anytime

Omg! Its horrible how youe mom is ignoring you guys.You should find someone you trust close to where you are , and tell tha person your situation. Maybe even talk to your step dad hemight be able to help you. She is supposed to be reasponsible for you guys and shes not doing her job . Your not old enough to deal with all that yet you not prepared.out Please tell a reasponsible person an adult about this im sure someone will help you.

I defnatly agree with every1!That is terrible what ur mom is do n!She is not b n the parent at all!U do need 2 let ur stepdad kno how u feel.Remind him of how u got along with him b4 evrythng fell apart.Let him kno u don't agree with ur mom.Somethng has 2 change,u need some peace of mind.U must stay n school!Talk 2 a couselor about the financial part,they might b able 2 help u.U need ur education!Evrythng will work out eventually,don't loose hope!!Bless U!

thanks everyone it helps knowing someone actually cares.

I called my tafe counselor about an hour ago and it looks like I can get a different paying plan but i'm going to have to use the money i saved. Though its not enough but they said they would help with that when we get to it. My job is all volunteer but i cant drop it because i need it to pass my course. So i dont have time to adopt a paying job as well.

My step dad hasnt been very sympathetic. We had a talk that turned into an argument and all he pretty much said was, im not eighteen til july next year so legally I still have to do what my mum says. if i left home to live with him, mum could charge him for kidnapping. I wouldn't put it past her either. And he doesn't want to risk it.

I have told my best friends mum about four days ago, she yelled at me for not coming sooner lol. She's helped me out in the past. I was slacking on two assignments last friday that had to be sent that day so she helped me with them, then took me grocery shopping.My mum knows though, that Kathy helps me out, and she's told Kathy to but out a lot.

Not many people believe me when I tell them about my mum. She's on antidepressants most the time and around everyone else she seems normal. Plus she used to be a foster carer and was known to be a good mum and she was, to the foster children and my younger brother. she doesnt hit us or anything she just has a temper and a tendency to run out at random. She wont admit it but my grandma has said the same, my mum has always treated me different because my bio dad actually tried to get custody of me once but he didnt want me brother or obviously my mum.