Hiya,my partner just sent me this article. https://metro.co.uk/2022/06/04/its-a-lot-harder-to-be-a-stepmum-than-a-parent-to-your-own-kids-16745668/
And that's how I've come to be here. My story is almost exactly the same, with one exception. I dont have a child of my own. That aside, my story mirrors and I am at the, side stepping, eggshells, keeping out of the way stage. My partner is understanding and we do communicate about how to improve things but it is extremely difficult. His ex is equally difficult, if not moreso and I have also struggled with the duty of care but not decision making process. I can honestly say, I love my partner to pieces but I'd never do the step parent thing again. just wanted to say hi and more importantly, thank you for this space. Hopefully I can draw some support and suggestions from here, to improve the journey
This is so true. I struggle a lot with this too. I always say I have all the responsibility but none of the rights to make decisions. I struggle so much with being the only parent in the situation who wants to do everything right and remembers all the basic things like uniform and homework. I’m always met with a defensive and aggressive attitude if I try to remind both my partner and the bio mum. But if I didn‘t do anything I think I would still get the same response.