When Laura goes to pick her daughter up from her Dad’s, she hears a piercing scream ring through the air. She entered a scene where her daughter was on the floor, and Katie, her stepmother, was standing above her, holding a broom. What has Laura walked into? My husband, Noah, and I divorced a long time ago. Now, he is married to his new wife, Katie. We share a daughter, Lexie, so we’re still on good terms — trying to give her a childhood without drama. The ebb and flow of co-parenting with my ex-husband had become a familiar rhythm — one week with me, followed by one week with him. To my relief, Katie had seamlessly woven herself into our daughter’s life. While a twinge of discomfort lingered, I understood her profound impact on our child’s well-being
Child drawing on a box | Source: Pexels “Katie is going to be a second mother to Lex,” Noah said one day as he dropped our little girl off. “But she’s not a replacement mother.” I was okay with it. I’d rather have Katie, who loved Noah and Lexie, in our lives than someone who just wanted Noah and nothing to do with his family. Anyway, as Friday rolled around, signifying the end of Lexie’s week with Noah, I was ready to pick her up. Approaching the front door, I prepared for the customary exchange of politeness, with Katie telling me about whatever recipe of mine she tried. I have to hand it to her, Katie is a great cook, and she tries to cook my recipes occasionally so Lexie can have “home food” when she’s there.
