And then he said, "You've sold your soul to the devil."

[Bryan]

I've been having a disagreement with my stepdad, and we haven't spoken in a while. Long story short: he and my mom have had downturns in their health that have prevented them from working. He owned a condominium that qualified as an asset on paper, and he decided to give it to my brother and I in order to get it off his books so that they could qualify for the Medicaid means test.

My brother and I did so, and shared the place for about a year, but my brother moved in with his girlfriend a few months ago and the place is more house than I can afford by myself, and the place is small enough-and the rental market depressed enough-that getting a roommate didn't strike me as especially practical in the short term. My father is currently working for a mortgage broker, and he helped me get a disadvantageous refinance that brought my payments low enough for me to handle, but as a result, I now can't call over to my stepdad's house without getting an earful of abuse (of which the subject is an example).

I'm currently not returning their calls, but that sort of impasse can't last forever; prior to this, we were quite close, with me visiting them on a regular basis, but I can't put up with his belittlement of me. I think I need to find a way to tell him to go piss up a rope, but I'm still self-conscious about seeming ungrateful. Any suggestions as to what I ought to do would be a great help. Thanks.

[Shine]

1. Take a deep breath and speak from your heart.

let your step-dad know how you feel when he talks to you that way.

Be honest and authentic about your emotions.

Don't get on his case for criticizing you, that will only make him defensive and unwilling to hear you....

instead let him know how his actions and words effect you by speaking the truth from your heart.

I send you all my best wishes for Peace and Resolution. :hug: