Hi all,

I have a question, if anyone with experiences like these can answer. It's always upset me, but I keep calm about it and try to think it out. I can't answer it. It's about step parents, and how some seem unhappy with the kids, or kids seem unhappy with the step parents. I've never had a step parent myself. When my parents divorced, my dad tried dating other woman. I was happy for it. I hoped that I may even have the mother I never had, seeing how my own was quite selfish, or even just a good older friend with a motherly attitude.

So, when may Dad met a lady, even one with kids herself, she did act motherly once and awhile. I put on a smile and gave her compliments, trying to get closer. But, it still didn't change anything. It didn't help that I was shy. She was usually upset around me, and jumped at the chance to leave our house when she could. Her face would go from unhappy and sad to very joyful, and she would sometimes chat and ignore me as she left. One time she and my dad were leaving, and when I came up behind her to ask something (I forgot what it was), she didn't look behind her and slammed the door . I was very hurt (emotionally), and those days, I saw Dad less and less... But, he seemed happy. He seemed to have distanced himself from me. I didn't realize it at the time, but it was a good thing. I could have used the chance to learn to be less clingy, which I had issues with. However, the lady became more and more short with me...

Sadly, that relationship didn't last, but the next woman did exactly the same thing, even though she was a very different person! What was going on?

Did they feel bad about spending time with Dad and I wasn't invited, or was it the opposite, and was upset Dad spent time with me? I was only an adolescent. I did need my Dad for things, after all, to survive and for emotional support until I grew up. I didn't mind Dad going out with them at all! After his depression when mom left, I was just so happy to seem him smiling and hopeful again.

Can anyone explain this? Whenever I think about it, I always feel down. Like I did something bad... Did I?