I’ve been married to my husband for six years, and he has 16-year-old twins, a boy and a girl. Their biological mother had been absent from their lives since they were eight. When we first got together, we went to family therapy to ensure a smooth transition. I made it clear that I wasn’t trying to replace their mother, but to be a supportive figure in their lives.

A New Beginning

For the past six years, things were great. The twins started calling me “Mom” around the age of 12 or 13, and our family felt complete. We shared many happy moments, celebrated milestones, and built a strong bond. I thought we had reached a good place, where love and respect were mutual and unwavering. We had our own traditions, like Sunday family dinners and yearly vacations, which further strengthened our connection.

The Return of Their Mother

Recently, their biological mother reappeared, and the twins were ecstatic. I understood their excitement and supported their desire to reconnect with her. For the first six months, everything seemed fine. They would spend weekends with her and come back home with stories of their time together. But then, subtle changes started happening. They began calling me by my first name again, which stung, but I chose not to address it immediately, hoping it was just a phase.

Disrespect and Heartbreak

As time passed, their behavior worsened. They ignored curfew rules, stopped helping around the house, and started talking back. The most painful part was when they began telling me that I wasn’t their real mom. They would say it with such disdain that it broke my heart each time. Three weeks ago, a big blow-up occurred. We were having a typical argument about their responsibilities when they called me names and stormed out, deciding to live with their biological mother. To my dismay, my husband didn’t back me up during the confrontation. He seemed caught between trying to keep peace and supporting me, but his inaction felt like a betrayal.

A Lesson Learned

Feeling heartbroken and disrespected, I decided to teach them a life lesson. The day after the blow-up, I took a step back from all household responsibilities. I stopped doing their laundry, cooking their meals, and cleaning up after them. My husband was left to handle everything on his own. It was tough, but I needed them to understand the value of respect and the importance of family. The house quickly descended into chaos. My husband struggled to keep up with the chores, and the twins realized how much I had done for them without ever asking for anything in return.