Stepparenting: An Emotional Minefield?

A recent CNN.com article outlined what a job description for a step mother might look like:

Woman needed to raise someone's else's kids who will fight you and test you and might even hate you forever. You may get hit with unearned nicknames like Evil Stepmother or The Homewrecker. Job requires long hours over many years for no pay and little gratitude. Expect scant support from their father and possible enmity from their natural mother.

I think the job description should look more like this:

Woman needed to be a third party advocate for her partner's kids who will be challenging and may hate you at times but will also fill your heart with love. You may get hit with evil rumors from family "friends" and may even earn mean nicknames. Job requires long hours over many years and payment is deferred until children are much older. Must be able to demand support from their father and ignore negative feedback from their natural mother.  

How would you describe your role?