At least two of my friends are suffering from a bad case of Wicked Stepmother syndrome at the moment. Loving their partner means trying to welcome his children from a previous relationship, and despite their best efforts, the children are being spiky and difficult.
These new step-mums are trying, really they are. But I think that of all the difficult parenting gigs that are out there, becoming a stepmother to children who are no longer babes in arms can be one of the most challenging.
New step-mums are up against so many obstacles, and they have such a lot of learning to do. Here are some of the questions to which they have to seek answers, in the face of sometimes daunting hostility.