Wow, I really congratulate you on being there for your 3 step children. I have one step daughter who is only 4 months older than my own daughter. She has lived with us for the last 2 1/2 years and sees her mum every other weekend. Her mother has no involvement with her schooling, doesn't take her to any after school activities, help with homework, etc etc. She has called me mummy since just after she moved in with us. I actually spend more time alone with her than with my other daughter as she (my other) spends regular time with her dad. At times I feel resentful of the time I soend with Chloe instead of with Jasmyn, but the girls adore each other and are very close. To us, we are just a family and we recently got married, so now it seems as though we are much closer. Both my DH and I are mummy and daddy to both the girls, even though they see their other parents.

It can be very stressful at times as Chloe is very very different from Jasmyn, and sometimes I feel as though I just don't understand who she is at all. I must remind myself everyday that she is Chloe, not Jasmyn and to accept her as she is, and all that goes with her. We saw a counsellor for a while last year, before we tried for this baby (due March) and that really helped.

Good luck to you, and hang in there.