After 7 1/2 years I finally did it.I left him.Left his kid.Left his exwife.Left his meddling mother.Left them all behind in the dust to wallow in their own drama and stress sans the doormat upon which to lay blame.

The first year I thought our troubles were simply growing pains as our children adjusted to one another and to the new way of life.I turned the other cheek when SD began lying about things and causing trouble with her entitlement issues.I let daddy dearest handle the BM and all her crazy caddy high school theatrics.I found all i got from this was an angry son and a sense of feeling as though I was not the wife.

The second year I became a little bitter and a LOT aggressive.I began to put an end to being the "cool stepmom" and the best friend as the gap between fair and unfair grew more obvious.His child was treated like royalty while mine was treated like a delinquent.His ex was handled carefully with velvet gloves while I was treated as though my opinion didn't count...as though i didn't matter.

The remaining years just spiraled down until I couldn't even look the man I loved in the eyes anymore without plain disgust and disappointment in my face.I actually started HATING him,his family,his child and her mother. HATE!

The stress from being a stepmother to an entitled,spoiled little girl took its toll on my health.The strain of being ignored and treated like a second class citizen aged me and put me in a dark place.

I have been gone from the situation since February and ladies I am amazed to say all of my health issues have DISAPPEARED.I feel my age again,look my age again.And my son actually thanked me for my choice to leave.

Not all stepfamilies are garbage to be tossed away but I'm talking to the ones who KNOW they're in a losing battle, you keep fighting that good fight and you will look back and wonder why you did it and where it got you.

I've decided there are too many amazing men out there without all this baggage all they need is a chance:-)