Not so wicked after all

In case you haven't inferred from some of my posts this summer, being a stepmother can be challenging, to say the least.  And no doubt, it's hard on kids, too, to have an outsider suddenly become a member of their family, and only a couple of years after the fracture of their original nuclear family. 

We all do our best, and remarkably, we live in harmony.  Yes, I have my moments--everybody does--and sometimes it's especially hard for me because when it comes to having kids around, I've already earned the "Been there, done that" T-shirt.  Mike's kids are amazingly well behaved (believe me, I wouldn't be here otherwise), but the fact is, I should be enjoying the time of life when I shouldn't have to worry about stepping on Legos or looking at dirty socks all over the living room floor.  Plus, you know me, on a good day I'm not the most patient person. 

So I thought this was funny--the other night Mike's 11-year-old son says to me, "You remind me of Sharon Osbourne."  He knows her from America's Got Talent. 

"You know, honey," I said, "I've been told that before, several times even.  Mostly when my hair was shorter."

"Well, it's not that you look like her that much; I think you act like her.  Like she's always nice and positive."

HUH?  Nice and positive?  I'm thinking all I do is say stuff like, "Who thinks I should be the one to pick up this crap?"

"Awww... Well, thank you," I said.

And then he went back to playing Minecraft.  And I didn't mind cleaning up the empty plastic cups all over the kitchen.