Of course you are going to cry and feel sad, probably for quite a while. It is HARD to make a step situation work, and a lot of us either disengage or end our relationship due to the overwhelming odds stacked against us.

I hope you get through this with your self esteem intact, assure yourself that you tried your hardest, it didn't work - onwards and upwards. I hope you and your kids will find peace and happiness.

I am so sorry you're having such a rough time. I've been there myself and have been broken up from my "person" now for two years and after the healing and space, I have no doubts whether I did the right thing. Right now you're grieving and probably are having trouble seeing things objectively because you're hurting so much, but obviously the situation got you to a point where you could no longer continue the relationship because it was too painful to continue.

Give yourself some time to be sad and grieve. I think in time, like me, you'll see that this is the right thing for you.

My ex married someone else, and I think he has a child with her. I'm envious of that and wish I had someone but I am glad I was brave enough to let go because I knew I could never be ok with the situation. I think once you've healed and get some perspective you'll feel like you dodged a bullet.

In truth, I think it's just easier for us moms to stay single or at least keep our dating lives separate from our parenting lives until the kids are grown. I'm currently going through a bunch of bullshit with my exH and his bitchy wife and I feel so grateful that there is no man or BS stepfamily dynamic (except for my exH's and his wife's campaign to make me miserable)coming between me and my kids.

Try to focus on you and your kids now. You're being relieved of the stress of a stepfamily dynamic and trust me, once you're not feeling so sad you will feel so happy you're no longer struggling in an impossible situation.

Feel proud of yourself. You're letting go but you're letting go of something that was not working and now there is hope for something better for you, which doesn't require so much struggle and pain.

Sending you lots of hugs.