Hi, welcome
Step parent situations are common as ever and often complex. A lot of suggestions is depending upon personalities and history hence advice given has to be flexible.
What is the main issue with judging such situations is that each party (you and your ex) has rights, and 50/50 means equal rights. Therefore he has the right to raise his children as he sees fit and include his new GF into that mix.
The other thing is that children can have a view of their step mum that isnt favourable and that chemistry can be exaggerated when you ask them questions etc. Dad not listening could be "dad doesnt fix it how I want it fixed" and so on. These are just possibilities.
The fact that she treats her own child more favourably than her step children is common and usually unavoidable.
Ask your self-
- Are they being fed healthy food?
- Are they clothed ok?
- Do they get cared for ok?
- Are they constantly late for school?
And so on, the bare basics. If you answered yes to all then try to divorce yourself from worry because it will eat you up and it isnt worth the pain and conflict. Distract yourself from the situation by getting into more activities and enjoy life. Kids are resilient and adapt, encourage them to have a good relationship with their step mum and leave the past behind you.
I hope that helps. I've been in similar situations and it's hurtful.
TonyWK
