Becoming a stepmom taught me that my role is to be a trusted adult. I'm there for when they don't want to call their parents.

• I've been a stepmom for 20 years and am the second in three generations of stepmoms. • My mom taught me to let my stepchildren guide the role they need me to play in their lives. • For 20 years, I've tried to be a trusted adult and am now watching my stepdaughter do the same.

The first stepmother I remember was Lady Tremaine — the wicked stepmother, brought to us by Disney in the film "Cinderella."

Today, I'm the second in three generations of stepmoms. I'm a stepmom of three. My mom became a stepmom when I was in my teens. My youngest stepdaughter is now a stepmom, and I have a stepmom.

Throughout my teens and early 20s, I watched my mom as she navigated being a stepparent. This year, I've officially been a stepmom for 20 years. Now I'm watching my stepdaughter as she navigates h