Stepmother claims biological relationship to stepchildren
Dear Amy: I have two adult sons. Their father (my ex) remarried (to "Barbara") several years ago.
Our family has now grown to include wonderful daughters-in-laws and grandchildren.
My boys' dad and I get along well. We celebrate holidays, events and family milestones together.
What is baffling is that, increasingly, I run into people who have been told (or led to believe) by Barbara, that our sons and grandchildren are strictly her (biological) kin.
I've tried handling this in various ways with the astonished people who look at me like I am crazy.
And, frankly, it feels crazy, politely explaining that these beautiful men I raised and children who I've rocked and loved are indeed MY children and grandchildren.
My sons and their wives correct this on their own when they are confronted with comments from people who have said they've "run into your mother," or how enjoyable it was "meeting your mother" and such -- when people are actually referring to their stepmother.
Barbara never had children in her previous marriages, so I assume she is unaware of the deep personal bond between mother and child. It is not for the taking.
I've never discussed this directly with her, but this is getting harder to take. It's like she tries to pretend that I do not exist.
How should I handle this?
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