Sometimes, I have wondered the same thing. My DH's ex makes things extremely difficult. There have been times, when I didn't think I could handle it and I wanted to run. It is at that moment that he looks at me, hugs me, and tells me that he loves me and I know that I couldn't live without him.

So yes, knowing what I know now and even how crazy things would be, I'd still choose my husband because at some point the crazy will stop and we'll be left with many happy years.

Knowing what I know now, I would still make the same decision. I got married for a variety of reasons, one of which was the well-being of my husband's girls. Their mother was a total slut - she swore out a statement and signed it, showing that she had been with 75 different men in the matter of 10 months, then she ran away with her b/f to another state and took the kids when my husband (or hers at the time) was due back from a deployment. Those girls didn't need a role model like that, so I chose to marry my long-time friend, so that the kids, his and mine, would have better lives than they would have with us going at it alone. Now, even though the girls don't seem to appreciate all the things that I have done for them, they act so much like me, that people have started asking if she is the stepmother. My youngest SD turned 14 yesterday. For her BD, my husband got her braids and extensions for her hair. Her natural hair color is a light brown, when she got home, she had asked them to do a very dark brown that matches my hair color. Yeah, I would do it again.

I really don't think I would do it again. I love my husband and his girls but it is a one way street and I'm so tired emotioally and physically I can't even think straight. My two are in college the love and respect my husband he has raised them since they were 7 and 8. but his girls don't have to respect me at all and it make things so hard. he jumps at their every whim goes over and above to help out their mom ( she's on marriage 5) and I am basically here to cook clean and put up with what ever they want to dish out.

I love the times we had until the girls mom came back in the picture approx 5 years ago. no matter how bad the ex is she is still the real mom and your the step

When we found out SD was moving back home, I was not happy for many reasons. The main being that we were getting along so well and the heavy feeling in the house had lifted. Even our dog was behaving differently.

Anyway, I told him how I felt and made it clear I was doing it for him and no one else, because I couldn't imagine being without him.

In essence, yes, I would.

NO WAY! I love my husband dearly, but sometimes I think I'm just not strong enough to take all the jealousy, resentment, Ex's, and constant problems. And, most of all, if I had it to do all over again, I would have just concentrated on raising my own kids and not put them through all this.

Absolutly, I would do it again. Even though my SD doesn't live with us full time, I knew there could be a possibility that she would move in with us at some time. And she still may. I would be delighted if she would.

Would I marry my dh again? Probably. If anything ever happens and we do not stay married would I re-marry someone with kids already? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. No way. Not a chance. Actually I don't think I would even consider marriage again, period.

Would I do this relationship again?...FOR SURE! Would I ever get involved with anyone other man with children again if anything ever happened between me and dh (*knocks on wood*)?...NO WAY!!

Yes, yes and yes!!!

Even with all the heartache that comes with being a stepmother, he makes it worth it every minute of the day.

Probably not. It is emotionally, physically and psychically draining on me and it forces my wife into the position of taking sides. SO my answer is no.

YES I would. Even in the middle of a whole lot of turmoil right now, I married my husband because I love him so much. Yes, it is crazy and there are times when I want to hide under the covers and never come out, but at the end of the day, he is always there with me. I knew going in that there was the potential for craziness. My husband is awesome. We have our disagreements and stressful days, but he works so hard to make me happy and loves me so much. I can't imagine life without him by my side. Even if I didn't have all of the 'baggage' before, I didn't have this awesome love either.

Yes, I would marry my DH again. Even though I cannot stand his ex-wife, and the way she treats her own son. A little over a year ago, my DH and I moved to Mississippi, from Delaware. We are military and we asked my SS, if he would like to come and live with us. He emphatically said, YES!

The ex bailed off of the deep end. YOU should have told me before you told OUR son. We should have told him together, not you and your wife. I'm tired of being excluded as his mother. Excuse me, but I was the one moving with my DH, not her. She ranted about HER son having Asperger's Syndrome, (high functioning autism), and how it would be a disaster to uproot him and change all that he has known.

Now, the shoe is on the other foot. Her husband is getting ready to retire from the USAF in March 2008. They are planning to move out of state, (Kansas or Florida), because there are no civilian jobs in his career field in Delaware. Where is the, "Oh, it's bad for our son to be uprooted." rant now? She drives me NUTS!!! (This is just a small sample of how crazy she is.)

It's DEFINITELY caused friction in our marriage. However, I stick with it for two reasons. One, I love my DH more than life itself. He is my rock, best friend and lover. Two, I hang in there for my SS. He tells me all of the time, that he loves me. He tells me I'm beautiful, a great cook, very clean housekeeper, and a great SM. He's only nine!!! He needs to know, that there are better women out there, than his mom. Trust me, it's not a competition to win his love. He sees the differences between his mom and I.

There is nothing the ex can do, that will break my marriage apart. Believe me, she's tried. I have two GREAT guys that need and appreciate me, always. I do what I do, for them, not for her. Even though, I wouldn't marry another guy with kids. It does get totally frustrating and depressing.

Keep the faith ladies! Thanks for letting me rant.

Would I do this again...no. It really sucks and as much as I love my DH, I'll always be second expected to "fill in" for the first. Sacrifice and give everything...love from a distance. Keep your mouth shut, your pocket book open, and do as your told. You are nothing. You are not a parent, you are not important and really your purpose is best served by being a mute.

Knowing what I know now, I don't think I would. Call me selfish, but if I knew what I know now when I met my fiance, I would have said Nice to meet you, bye bye. If we end up not being together, I would not get involved with a man that has children already. Luckily the work I have put into this relationship and step kids is paying off, and I would not back out now, but to start over would be too much.

Yes. If I really examine my heart. My husband is a very good man. My stepson was cake until he turned 13 so I'm hoping that now that he's 15 it won't feel so long before he's an legal adult. I do have moments of serious doubt, however.