Life can be complicated after a divorce, especially when the divorce is caused by an affair, and especially when there are kids involved.

In this story a stepmother isn’t sure how to deal with her stepdaughter calling her “ma”! She doesn’t mind the nickname, but the girl’s birth mother is furious!

Check out all the details.

AITA for not caring if my stepdaughter calls me ma?

I (40F) have a stepdaughter (16F) from my husband’s previous marriage.

The story is that my husband cheated on his wife with me and left her to be with me.

They’ve been comfortable around each other…

That was 12 years ago, and now we’re still married.

My stepdaughter and I have always had a surprisingly decent relationship considering the past.

My stepdaughter spent 5 days out of the week at home with my husband and me. As a result, I would drive her to school, pack her lunch and help her with homework.

This is where it got tricky…

I did this hoping she wouldn’t hate me, and it worked.

I am physically unable to have kids, so having a good relationship with my stepdaughter filled at least part of the void for me.

Nonetheless I do understand she isn’t my daughter.

She came up with various nicknames for me throughout the years, mostly short versions of my actual names.

She started calling me “ma” recently. Her explanation for doing so was to show me a little more respect.

I’m ok with it.

UH OH!

I know she still calls her actual mother “mom.” But just because I was ok with it didn’t mean her mom was though.

When she heard my stepdaughter call me ma I could easily tell it ticked her off.

She told my stepdaughter to not call me that and told me I should lecture my stepdaughter that I’m not her mother.

I told her I don’t really care what she calls me, since I don’t control my stepdaughter.

She was ticked off by this too but didn’t say anything.

She doesn’t know how to react.

I’d like to know if this interaction specifically makes me an AH.

I know the past was wrong but I genuinely do not see an issue with my stepdaughter choosing this nickname for me.

GEEZ! That sounds tough!

I think the stepdaughter should get to decide what she calls her.

Let’s find out what folks on Reddit think about this one.

This user thinks this lady isn’t at fault for letting her stepdaughter do whatever she wants.

That’s right! This user knows the biological mother will always have an issue.

This user shares how this lady may or may not be problematic in this story.

This user knows that there is no going back from a situation like this…

This user thinks this woman is completely at fault for ruining a family.

It’s not like she asked her stepdaughter to call her that nickname.

If you enjoyed that story, read this one about a mom who was forced to bring her three kids with her to apply for government benefits, but ended up getting the job of her dreams.