I am a step-mother to 3 children and have been married to my husband for less than a year. We have the children a little less than 50% of the time. I was previously married, but I do not have any bio-children of my own and I do not believe that I will. I did date my husband several years before we got married and I knew that this life would be very challenging, but some days it can be almost unbearable and not because of the children, mostly it is because of the children's BM. Trying to work with her is sometimes almost close to impossible. I swear every week there is new "drama" coming from her end and it is sometimes more than I can handle. I love my step kids very much and I want them to be happy and well adjusted, but she can make that goal seem so faded at times. Being a step-parent is one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life, but I truly believe this is where I am supposed to be in my life and what I was meant to do in my life. Some days I am standing on the ledge ready to jump, but then something pulls me in and then I am ok. My strength comes in waves at times. Finding this site and reading others experiences helps a lot! So cheers to all you step-parents out there! We are taking a path that many would not and hopefully our efforts and dedication will bring much love and support to all our step-children that really need it the most!