Introduction

I have to attend a wedding next week and I'm dreading it. If I have to make a long drive at the end of July, spend a ton of money on a hotel and restaurants, it should be on a vacation where I just might enjoy myself. Have a glass of wine or two, relax without worrying my runaway mouth will verbally eviscerate  someone.  It's not that I don't like the bride and groom: the bride seemed nice enough, the one time I met her,  and the groom, my stepson, is a sweet guy I consider a friend. I'm looking forward to seeing his daughters.  His mother, sister, brother and sister-in-law are a different matter entirely. They're why I won't drink at the wedding or reception, or the rehearsal dinner (good money can be won betting they don't know I've been invited to that). I'm a cheap date. One glass of wine and my tongue will be so loose I'll be telling everyone exactly what I think of them and I was raised better. If I don't behave, generations of my female ancestors might just come haunt me. Compassionately, I think. They understand what I've been through.

I'm a stepparent and it isn't easy. For any of us, if the posts I've read on other internet sites are anything to go by. Stories of manipulating children and biological parents caught in the middle are rife, right along with tales of wicked stepparents and forgotten children. Reports of successfully blended families abound, but I personally know of just one. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think they're the norm. As much reassurance as I find in reading the stories and knowing I'm not alone (or crazy), I also think it's time someone wrote a candid book about stepparenting. So I'd like to hear from you. If you're a stepparent, I'd like to hear your stories of how hard, or how easy, it's been. If you're a stepchild, I'd like to get your take on it, and the same goes if you're a biological parent caught in the middle, or a child whose half siblings and parents former spouses have impacted your life. You exes too, I'd like to hear from. You play an important role in this family dynamic and you have a side to tell.

Thanks, and I look forward to reading your posts.

Elisabeth