Dear Steve:
I don't feel sorry for you, but was offering support to someone who's gone/going through a divorce. As a new 'step-mom', I have some insight into the issues that seperated families face. It's not always straight-forward and your ex's change in orientation definitely adds another dimension that most people don't have to deal with.
I agree that your family's situation warrants some different discussions. And I agree that your children's classmates may tease them, but kids will always find something to tease other kids about. Who knows? We all might be pleasantly surprised about how open-minded other kids will be. One of Loz's boys told Loz that his friends parents were getting married because they'd simply never done it. There was no taboo about it, simply the facts.
I'm glad to hear that you'd never put your ex down in front of the kids, but I didn't think you would, not for one second. I hope that everyone involved continues to handle the situation diplomatically, sensitively and respectfully, for everyone's sakes.
Please don't feel badly about bringing it up, it's good to get things out in the open, and as a few other people have already mentioned, this is not a rare phenonmenon these days. That doesn't make it any easier for you to deal with. Please know that were here when you need us.
Jeanna
