I feel like I'm going insane with this whole situation.
I (42F) was married to my ex Mark (39M) for about 17 years , we met in college and got married after graduation. We share five kids ( 15m , 12f , 10m , 10f, 4m ) . Mark and I split after he cheated on me with Mandy ( 35F) about 3 years ago. Only the oldest 2 know why we divorced.
The other day , I was picking up the kids from Mark's house after work. When i pulled up my oldest texted me that Mandy wouldn't let them leave until they call her mom.
I saw red and started pounding on the door screaming for her to let my kids out. Mandy answered and said the kids needed a stable mother figure sighting my work schedule. I work long hours as a nurse in a hospice center but I'm home for my kids.
I called her crazy and said she'd only be the step mom not a mother to them.
I took them home and Mark called me , saying I was out of line for the way I acted towards his wife.
My coworkers think I acted like any mother would, my parents meanwhile said I shouldn't have acted like that around the kids
So AITA for telling my kids' step mom she'll never be their mother