I’ve been married to my husband, Tommy, for six years, helping raise his twins, Jack and Lily, since their mom left when they were eight. When their biological mom, Maggie, returned recently, the twins started calling me Carol instead of Mom. “It was their right to call me by my first name,” I thought, but things got worse as they became disrespectful and blamed me for their parents’ separation.

Three weeks ago, after a heated argument where the twins called me names and accused me falsely, they left to live with Maggie. Tommy didn’t back me up, so I canceled our planned vacation to Disney World. The twins were furious and called me “jealous, selfish, and horrible.” When Tommy didn’t support me, I left to stay in a hotel.

Days later, Maggie disappeared again, and the twins returned, realizing their mistake. “We never liked you to begin with!” Lily had said, but now they were begging for forgiveness. Despite their apologies, Tommy hadn’t asked for forgiveness. I decided to divorce Tommy but told the kids they could visit me anytime. “Sorry, Tommy. I don’t know how you can say you love me but watch other people disrespect me and do nothing,” I told him.