How Do We Deal?

Austin,

You are my bonus son, and you are just that, a bonus to me. You were diagnosed Aspergers when you were 7. After a long road of battling schools with what was treated as bad behavior issues, we figured you out, kind of. :) You turned 10 in September and lately things have become even more difficult, for you and for us as your parents.
There comes a time as a parent that you can look back and remember when your own Mom or Dad had hit their breaking point, said things they didn't mean or truly feel. Maybe because they had just had it that day or maybe because they couldn't understand or deal any with you longer at that given time.
This occurred yesterday at our house.
Dad and I do the best we can as your parents, as most parents I know do. We aim to be fair with you and Dalton. We insist on discipline as needed. We enforce rules and we attempt to stick to them.
Dad and I were raised the exact same way by our parents. You really didn't have a say until you were old enough to know better(when you knew better, meant you lived out of the house). We were loved unconditionally and we were structured. We, however, did not come from a divorced home and we have no idea what that feels like to have different rules, rooms, etc or to want one parent more.
Yesterday was a bad day to say the least. I know Dad feels bad for things that were said to you and I admit as your stepmom, I feel awful. It was just our weak point in the situation. I plan to reinforce to you how much we truly love you and we both plan to figure out a way in order to better understand you and respond to you. It is above and beyond difficult and it is only going to become harder. We are gonna try and I hope that is enough. XOXO
Love,
Your bonus Mom
Tracy