Met DHs children when they were 4 and 6, we've been together 6 years.
AIBU to think I don't need to be a step 'mum'? I like his kids a lot, we have a great time when they come and I enjoy their company but I don't see myself as any sort of 'parental' figure to them at all and I don't want to be.
All my friends / family who are in this situation are quite involved i.e doing pick ups/drop offs, going to school plays, texting exes to arrange contact etc... when I say I don't really do any of that stuff because I don't feel it's my place I'm always met with 'but you're an important person in their lives now, you're their stepMUM'.
I just don't feel the urge to involve myself in anything like that. Don't get me wrong, if there was some reason why DH or his ex couldn't do something like a pick up for example, I would offer. We all get along great.
I guess I just see the children more as little friends rather than as my own children. That's okay isn't it?
I don't make them feel unwelcome, they know they can come to their home with us at any time and they do stay 50:50 presently and they are happy here.
I just get met with such odd looks when I say I don't really see myself as a step mother.