Posted: Sep 7, 08 8:05am

Dear Cr-Abby from Pulling my Hair out in Huntsville

DEAR ABBY: I'm a stay-at-home mother with a 4-year-old son. Every summer, my stepson -- who is now 8 -- comes to stay with us. In past years it has been all right, but since the boys have become more rambunctious, it has gotten harder.

Abby, I don't deal well with stress. Having two active boys running around the house has made me extremely nervous. There's a reason I chose to have only one biological child -- I knew I couldn't handle more. I thought a few short summers with a stepchild would be OK. I was wrong.

I have spoken to my husband about my problem; he doesn't seem to understand the amount of strain I am under. I am starting my own business later this year, and my husband doesn't see why I can't bring both boys to my appointments next summer. The younger child would play quietly alone, but not with his half-brother there. What should I do. Pulling my Hair Out in Huntsville

Dear Bama Bald Bazzard,

Let's deal with this cl oath and dagger hidden agenda you are tossing out here...

You want to body check your step-son out of the picture so that YOUR LIFE can return to it's grass-growing normalcy.

You married with the intent of having one child and the fore-knowledge of the first existence. If you only wanted one and knew you couldn't handle two,..you could have/should have cozied up to your step son and played a more endearing role.

However we are where we are so here's the deal. Boy will be boys and you simply need to find a nice room to hibernate in and let the boys be boys til Daddy gets home. You will learn the difference between a scream that means nothing and a scream that of the more blood curdling type that requires your engagement.

Tough it up enough to handle the intermittent involvement you will need to do and take up knitting in your sanctuary hide-away from 9 to 5.

Now git-out of here,...I need to talk to people with real problems...you whiner

Cr-Abby