to LOVE being a step-mum?

[AlgebraRocksMySocks]

I feel really lucky to have DH's DCs in my life. DSS is 18 and DSDs (twins) are 12. They are all fantastic.

One of my DSDs has just stayed for a week and I actually feel really sad to be dropping her home later :( I'll really miss her! It's been lovely having her around and she's great with her little brother (11m) and sister (3.1) (well technically they're half-siblings but we don't use the word half), they all adore each other.

I'm so lucky. There were a few teething problems (DH and I have been together 8 years) with his ex but they accepted me pretty quickly. I spend lots of time with them even when DH is at work - I would never try to be a second mum, but I guess as I'm a lot younger than their parents I'm more 'fun' and approachable.

The girls were my bridesmaids in 2008 and DSS was one of our witnesses. I was too nervous to make a proper speech after but I did get up and say how grateful I was to them for welcoming me into their family.

Sorry for the self-indulgent post but I just wanted to write this down, I see so many posts about really tense step-families with lots of (understandable) problems and it's made me appreciate how lucky I am. :)

pink - really you only have to do a quick advance search to see if someone is a long term poster or not - it's not hard and far preferable than calling 'troll' ??

Verity - you don't need to back anything up! Will you have to leave DD with her at anytime in the future or will they only have supervised visitation?

and a lollipop I hope :)

I remember you posting before with things about the ex and problems you have with your DD - I hope they only get supervised visits for a long time to come.

It's hard to imagine going from a relatively normal life, to dealing with the things you have to deal with. You do wonder WHY ME???? :(

What a lovely OP to read - and on that high note, I am off to bed!

verity, sorry it's such a difficult situation. you must be so angry that the new woman prevented ex from seeing his DD. I can't believe he was ok with that :(

do you mean this woman has kids of her own, or did she cause trouble for somebody else's kids? she sounds nasty in many ways :( but unfortunately I think you just have to put up with it. TBH it doesn't sound like your DD would miss out much by not seeing her dad though :(

in my case it was the opposite. I met the kids once, and one DSD especially took to me straight away, so exW then banned me from seeing the kids for a few months. that was a really tough time, I hated it when DH went off every sunday to see them and I couldn't go. thank goodness she relented - once she realised DH and I were in it for the long haul.

anyway, had a chat with the DSDs and we're hoping their mum will allow them to stay over once a week and go on to school the next morning. it'd be great as ATM we feel we don't see them enough.

Sorry Verity, I was BU to shout troll last night & can now see that you have many posts on here. Your situation with your ex's new partner just sounded so hideous I was suspicious and I really feel for you having to put up with it .