I have never been fond of my ex’s rude and condescending wife, even though he has been married again for eight years. I asked him not to bring her to our 18-year-old son’s graduation because I didn’t need her there on MY child’s special day. It all felt good when he agreed.

However, my son and his father abruptly turned around and went to their car after the event. I reminded them that I was throwing a small party at my house, but they were confused. Then my former partner informed me that they were coming to his house because his wife was hosting a lavish celebration to compensate for her absence from the graduation.

When my son abruptly said, “You will never be able to get over the fact that Dad left you for her, Mom, and that is sad,” I was even more devastated. “You’re my mom, but she’s been my stepmother since I was ten,” he continued. I was left alone in that parking lot, crying.

Was I mistaken to want to enjoy my son’s graduation celebration without having it ruined by his stepmother?