I was a single Mother for 16 years to a Daughter. Last year I met a man whose 16 year rocky marriage was coming to a crashing end. He has 4 girls between the ages of 9-16. Bob & I became very close friends, fell in love and moved into together one year ago. I went through the drama of their break-up, the divorce and blending the girls. His girls like me alot.

My problem is regarding his x. Bob & I loving refer to her as 'darkness'. Bob calls the girls every night to chat. He over pays the child support by 100 bucks a week. We welcome any of the girls just about every weekend.

'Darkness' is........words can't fully describe her. She is a master manipulator. I do not believe she is capable of telling the truth. She lies to the girls about anything regarding their Father. She calls me every name in the book. She is mentally unstable. She's been in therapy for years and on several medications. She is completely driven by money. Oh, she cut her wrists last year. One of a few attemps.

(She recently got a boyfriend from 'my space'. The poor guy is a recovering alcoholic. She's gonna knock that dude off the wagon.)

She is always calling Bob to either complain about the girls, bitch at him for something or my personal favorite...to say how hard it is to be her. She's consistantly looking to Bob for validation on her self worth. 9 out of 10 times he gives it to her.

I know he loves me and we are very close. I understand that in the begining he needed to encourage her to move on and assure her that he will be there for the girls. But it's been a year and I'm getting frustrated at her phone calls and the drama that often comes with them. A perfect example last night. Bob and I were watching 'Ghost'. Darkness calls in one of her needy moods. He was on the phone listening to her whine for over an hour.

I'm trying to be supportive. but a starting to lose it.

I welcome any advice! Joann