Top Stepmother Concern: "His Ex is Making Our Lives Hell!"

It's okay to let the call go to voicemail. And then delete the angry message.

When I asked about your top concerns as a woman with stepchildren, this one came up again and again: a partner's ex who is angry, undermining, and intrusive. Bottom line: this behavior indicates first and foremost that she is unreconciled to her ex-husband's repartnership. And you are a convenient target for her wrath. Now what?

1. Know what's going on. Acting out ("Come do chores for me/the kids," "Give me more...