I've been a step mom for a couple years now. When I started dating my partner his daughters were 13 and 11 years old. Now they are 16 and 18. Their mother was barely in the picture. Only came around when it was convienent for her. I had a great relationship with both of them. We spent so much time together.

After the mother saw the relationship that the girls and I had, then she wanted to be in the picture every day. I never stood in the way of that. I've always expressed how I think its important for them to have a relationship with their mother.