I've been a step mom for almost six years to two amazing boys. I respect them and love them and they spend 50% of their time with us. Times have been tough, as it was not easy at the beginning - I was an outsider and not at all wanted by mom. Mom left the relationship but didn't expect "him" to find someone new. I tolerated the abuse for many years. Years of telling the kids how horrible I and their dad was. How dad left the marriage - was not true. How dad is not important and how they should not be with us. I was called stupid and that I was not liked and the boys didn't belong here.