[heytheresmarty]

I'm 16 years old, I came to the united states with my mom dad and older brother when I was 6 in 1999. I have two other sisters in Cuba(that are from my dads side) living with their mother. One is 26, the other 20. Around 2003 my parents split (my dad is lazy, doesn't like to work, and depends on others, he's ALWAYS been that way) he's lucky to have found women in his life that support him. My mom is works her bones off. Since she was my age. If it weren't for her I don't know where id be. I still see my dads, on weekends mostly. He's with another woman. My mom has remarried too. Everything is fine. But my father never pays my mom for child support. In fact, he doesn't even send my sisters money (which need it more than me) everything is a drama for him. My mom even told him that the crap of money he sometimes gave me (cuz I HAD to ask him for it) to send it to my sisters instead. My sisters are lazy as well. They depend on my dad. They don't work either the supposedly are "studying" Im just so fed up with my father. Hes had so many opportunities and nothing. Hes hasn't progress in life at all. My mom recently found out that and uncle (an older man) that my sisters live with beat them up. He's mentally ill he wasn't always like that. Even while their sleeping. One of my sisters got a knife and tried to strike him.The other one stopped her and has half her face temporarily paralyzed due to the shock. The police in cuba just told them to move out of the house. That's it. But they have no where else to go. AT ALL. My dad doesn't know a thing. My mom made me promise I won't mention it to him. My cousin, she's 36(who told my mom) is afraid that my dad would die of heart attack to find out. Im supposed to not know about anything. My mom wants to help, but money is already tight. My causing had a huge argument with my dad, she told him to send them money because "things are bad" but my dad is clueless, he says stuff like "where am i gunna pull money from? and what am i stupposed to do!!!?" all that crap. He doesn't even work all day, he has a part time job in windixie, he's half the day at home and does nothing. His wife (which I see as a second mother, she's always been good to me) works her off 7 days a week!! Im scared for my sisters. I just don't know my position in this. Im so stressed. I just don't know. I don't even know what to say, how to feel. I don't kow what to do.

[talaniman]

A very difficult situation indeed. But while you may be confused, and overwhelmed by your circumstances right now, it won't be long until you will be man enough to make a difference. I think we all face similar challenges in our lives, when we are young, but through hard work, and some dedication, you can make a difference later, when your better able to deal with the adult world.

Just take the time now to be ready for when you can make a difference, and rise above these confusing times. Your mom, and step dad, are doing what they have to, but there is nothing you can do for your dad, or lazy sisters, until they decide to do for themselves, sorry to say.

The best thing you can do now is to promise yourself to not be like them. Just hang in there, and get ready for your time.