All this stepmom wanted was a quiet summer — instead, she got dumped with two stepkids by her husband’s ex, who also dropped off a giant inflatable pool. Despite tight finances and no warning, she tried to keep the peace.

But the kids were relentless: trashing her home, ignoring rules, even bringing in a stray cat she’s allergic to. Then came the breaking point — the pool was slashed, flooding the yard and soaking the basement. Nearby? Scissors. And whispers of a “plan” to make their mom proud.She snapped. No more “nice stepmom.” She demanded accountability — cleanup, repair, and respect. The ex came storming back, accusing her of being cruel. But this time, she stood firm.Now, drained and questioning everything, she’s asking: how do you stay kind when all you get is chaos?