Glenda, from Florida (submitted Nov '09)

Name: Glenda

Home: florida

Hello my name is Glenda. I am 23 yrs old, I've been married to my husband for a little over a year. I have a 4 year old son from a previous relationship. He's biological father has never been a part of his life. My husband stepped in when he was a year old. He is all he knows. My husband has 2 children from a previous marriage. Michelle is 12 and Mikael is 11.

In the beginning when we were dating the kids were very happy, we didn't have any issues but as soon as they realized that I wasn't going anywhere things changed. The biggest issue we had was with mikael. He hated me and he was shy about letting me know. Time and time again he let us know he wanted his mother to get back with his dad. We had issues with displine, My husband always made excuses for them when ever they did something wrong. He'd always say "they've been thru so much, you just don't understand" when ever I tryed to set rules he undermined me. If I punished mikael, he would go tell his dad and then my husband would call us to what I call a meeting. He would let me know infront of mikael that I was wrong and being to harsh and he would chnage the punishment. We have learned to talk about these issues and he has gotten better. Also the children have realized that I am not going and where. That the thought that their parents will get back together will never happen. We are still struggling with his ex-wife, she talks bad about me to the children and makes matters worst. She doesn't want to give up custody but she is putting the children thru things they shouldn't have to. She has been homeless several times and lives off the child support. She moves from place to place with the children. She has told us infront of the kids that if she has to suffer that the kids have to suffer with her. I keep praying and hanging in there but its so hard. I'm tired and I just don't know what to do. We have sat down to speak with her but she won't listen. I have told her time after time that I'm not trying to replace her that I'm just trying to do what's best for the kids and that I love them as my own. It just doesn't work.