DEAR ABBY: I have two teenage stepsons living with me and their mother. The older boy, "Jake," who is 16, wants his mother to take him and his brother out once a week or so to be alone with her, while excluding me and my daughter. Jake is very shy and an introvert. I feel that this is contrary to the common good and will promote a lack of trust in the home.
However, I love my girlfriend very much and will do anything to keep her happy. Am I wrong for feeling betrayed over this? -- STEPFATHER IN MASSACHUSETTS
DEAR "STEPFATHER": Unless I have missed something in your letter, you and the boys' mother are not married -- which makes you a caring live-in, but not a spouse or stepdad. I do not regard Jake's wanting alone time with his mother as any threat to you. As a matter of fact, it might be a good idea for you to schedule private time with your daughter while the boys are with their mother. This is not a betrayal or rejection of you, and you should not feel insecure about it.