I feel like I’m living in the shadow of my husband’s first wife

DEAR DEIDRE: I FEEL like I’m living in the shadow of my husband’s first wife.

She died from cancer before I met him and I’m starting to realise I’ll never measure up. I’m sick of feeling like the consolation prize.

I’m 42 and he’s 60. We’ve been married for ten years.

He has a son and a daughter who are in their early thirties, and now have children of their own.

Their mother died 12 years ago, and they’ve always made it clear they don’t like or accept me. I thought things would get better with time, but they haven’t. 

They leave me out of family celebrations, unless my husband insists I’m invited. They never thank me for gifts and cards.

I don’t have children of my own and I used to think I could at least be a step-grandma. But it’s been made very clear that the role isn’t open to me.

If I go to my husband’s children’s houses, there are photos of his late wife everywhere. Sometimes, it feels like they take extras out of their albums to put on display, just to hurt me. 

My husband doesn’t do much to make me feel better. He still visits his wife’s grave regularly, taking flowers. 

When I tell him how I feel, he says I’m being ridiculous. 

Our marriage is starting to fall apart because I feel so unloved and appreciated. Sometimes I think I should call it quits, but I don’t want to give his kids that satisfaction.

Am I wrong to feel this way?

DEIDRE SAYS: The way you feel can’t be right or wrong, it’s how you feel. 

While you want to address the unease, your husband seems unwilling.

It’s important for everyone to understand that after a bereavement it is possible for the bereaved partner to love two people – the deceased and the new partner.

So just as his children need not see your love as a threat to their mother’s memory, neither should you feel slighted by your husband laying of flowers for her.

Talk to him again and tell him you’re considering ending the marriage. Consider couple counselling. Find support via tavistockrelationships.org (020 7380 1960). 

It might also be really helpful to read my support pack Stepfamilies.