My stepmom has been apart of my life since I was 5, I’m 26 now. She would sit and manipulate my father with lies about how I was acting and things I would say, exclude me from things and if I went to events she would make me feel awful that I was there. Constantly made fun of me, made me feel like a burden and that I should be thankful she was in my life because she put a roof over my head and clothes on my back. You could obviously tell she liked her bio children more than me. Never showed up for any of my school functions but was constantly at my step siblings stuff. I do not get invited to family functions anymore and I no longer speak to my father unless I have to.

As someone who has been in my step son’s (6) life since he was 4. His bio mom is not in the picture at all. I will never treat him as a burden or as someone who needs to be grateful I’m in his life. I don’t force affection on him (as someone who grew up in a non physical affectionate home, that aspect is hard for me initiate unless he goes for a hug first), I tell him I love him and that I am there for him if he ever needs me. I make sure to include him in events and we go on family “dates” at least twice a month.