Help! the step-children are coming this weekend and I am dreading it. I have been a step-mum for nearly 4 years and sometimes its ok but most of the time its awful. I don?t know if its me, my DP, the kids, the ex?s interference or all of it!!! It feels like the kids take over the entire house when they arrive and my son and I are made to feel like outsiders in our own home. We have tried to be part of the chaos but with very little success. I can?t explain it, they are very close, so close that it?s almost exclusive and I always feel shut-out. I feel like I am a visitor not a permanent part of their life. I have tried so hard to be part of it. The ex hates me (don?t really know why, she left him for a much younger man 2 years before I met him) and I think that colours the way the kids see me, DP won?t even admit to them that he loves me! SD saw us holding hands once and she said to DP ?you love her don?t you?? to which he replied ?I don?t think so!? CRIKEY DID THAT HURT!! It feels like when the kids are here DP almost distances himself from me so as not to hurt them. I must add that when the kids are not here he is a caring, loving Partner or I don?t think I would put myself through this! Don?t know what I can do to change things