Oh you poor thing, hugs, and what a great smom to take on such a big responsibility with those three kids.I bet when your classes start you will feel already much better.In regards of angels who turn into monsters....this might be their age.My two older ones (BS 13 and BD17) became difficult in those ages.And they are suddenly back chatting , neglect school etc.My BD grew out of it and has now great results at school , plenty of friends and has settled now after those difficult years.Right now you need your husbands help - he needs to sit down with his kids and explain common rules again and make it clear that if they mock around there will be privileges taken away.This could help you feeling stronger - after all you are not their BM and he expects so much of you!!x

I understand, completely. My skids are adults now and have families of their own. I have been in your shoes, for many years. If it helps at all, it paid off in the end. My skids are wonderful and looking back at the situation and all of the hurdles, I would not change a thing.

I married at 23, my husband was 30 and brought three children to the marriage. Long story short, the BM was a complete and utter nightmare. She remained that way until she met and eventually married a very nice man. When I married, the skids lived with BM. Nine months into my marriage and 4 months pregnant with our own, his oldest moved in. He was ten at the time and had ADHD and emotional impairment. The other two lived with their bm, but we had them quite a bit, more then the court allowed because their oldest brother was with us. I fell into the mother role quicker than I knew what hit me. I eventually had to quit my job as my skid was a reck and my husband made far more money than I. I felt like the babysitter a lot, all of the time. He worked eighty hours a week and I was raising the skids and eventually our own for a total of 5..It was hell for a few years, and bm cut off ties with her oldest because she just couldn't handle it. She took the easy road and bailed. I decided that I could no longer think of them as "his kids" and our kids. I raised them as one unit, altogether and it worked for me. When I would feel "used" or like the babysitter, I would bring myself right back and realize that I only felt that way because they were his children. I would never have left our own with a sitter, so why would I feel the need to leave his with one? My issues were jealousy I can now admit. I was never jealous of bm, but her free time because she maintained a life of a single person and left me to pick up the pieces.

In the end, it is wonderful. If the marriage is good, the trials you are facing now will be blessings at the end of the road. What also helped me, was I joined a bowling league once a week, and a book club. It was my time and I did it for 17 years. Always have some plan to step away for awhile for your own sanity. You deserve it...and those feelings you have are completely normal. I wish the internet was available to me during those trying times, so yes, utilize this sight as often as you can.

Ages 12 thru about 15 can be terrible. I have found most kids get better about age 16 to 17ish. My 14 yr old was a perfect child until he turned 13. My 17 yr old is so wonderful now but last year he was not! Get your schooling and then a nice job and soon the kids will become more independant and less clingy and ornery.