Married life is not always easy, especially with a blended family. Things are not much better with the ex overall, but this Christmas, we at least got to open presents at our house without her there. She and her family thought we were crazy for not having Christmas morning together. I do think it's a nice thing that a child can open some gifts with both parents even when they are divorced, but I really don't want my husband's exwife present while we open gifts around my Christmas tree. They bought him a joint gift and opened it with him when H went to pick him up, then he brought him to our house so we could do our presents. If she had stuck around our house, we would have been lectured on how many presents we bought him because she had a policy to buy him 3 presents at Christmas. She didn't want him to get spoiled, yet her wealthy parents buy him gifts weekly. She was not happy about what we decided, but we thought this was the right thing to do. Battle 1: Compromise for the Win

I also got to have my giant Easter egg hunt this year, without her present. She invited herself last year and stayed around for many hours. I had my family there, visiting from out of town, and it was very uncomfortable and inappropriate. My SS stuck by her side the whole time, and that upset my H. It was just a mess, and she was I'm sure quite pleased with herself for it. This year, she was not invited (just as my H is never invited to the hunt at her parents' house since the divorce). Battle 2: Foot Put Down for the Win

H and BM are having lunch today to discuss details of custody for SS in the event one parent dies. She requested I not attend. Big fight between me and H ensues and after much conflict, I will let this one go. I thought I should be there because as an obvious caretaker in the event she dies, I am concerned in the details. The main point was that she never respects my role and I need her to know that I am more than a chair at a dance recital. I'm a very serious role in SS's life and especially in affairs directly pertaining to my H. Choose your battles. Battle 3: Steamrolled, but okay with it

Other than that, she's a very subtly conniving woman who feels she is superior to all others. Sickeningly sweet in person, appears very charming on the surface, but do not be mistaken - the woman is a bitch.