Living in a stepfamily shouldn' t be hard. But the fact is it can be. Why I don't know - the Government is of no help at all and you have no protection and no rights. They discriminate via the CSA and the Family Court. We spent over $30k through the Family Court trying to get at least telephone access to my husband's children - all court orders were ignored and no action taken -because it is not in the courts interest to punish custodial parents - why is it in their interest to punish step families. Now we are estranged from my husbands children with no where to go, he is labelled a 'runaway father' so therefore the lies continue. Congratulations Natalie your efforts are invaluable. We do count, our daughter counts equally also. Don't start me on CSA . It doesn't have to be hard but people with the help of the Government can make sure it is.

I grew up with step-parents, and then committed myself to a man with 2 kids. Constant harassment and lies from his ex, which got worse when I had my 2 kids. Step-parenting is made even harder when you're rendered invisible by the ex, the courts, the government and especially the CSA. Its a constant battle to be 'the bigger person' and set an example for the kids; one that, in our case, their own mother cannot do. Looking forward to the day we never have to deal with such a malicious and vicious, viper and liar, of a woman again.

What is it with ONLINE OPINION

All these articles, within the month of October, on all things to do with men being victims and how 'toxic' Mothers are.

I happen to know one of the articles was a complete farce. I'm left wondering about the rest. Obviously it's some collaborative effort by the Mens' groups to influence the general public through misinformation.

University lecturers? Researchers?

Get real.

Lift your Game ONLINE.