Sara – who is helping Glenn raise his two kids James, 14, and Holly, 13 – has contributed a chapter to a new book called Stepmother Love: Ten Inspiring Stories About The Toughest Gig In The World.
“The reason I wanted to be involved in this book is because stepmothers need to be given a chance,” Sara tells the April issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly.
“We are not evil people. In fact, I don’t even know why that stereotype exists. I blame Disney.
“There are great step-parents and there are horrible step-parents, just as there are great parents and horrible parents. Nobody hands you a book when you have kids, just as nobody gives you a manual when you become a stepmum. You have to feel your way.”
Sara says she never tried to replace Jane, and is solely focused on being the best stepmum she can be to James and Holly, a job which has, at times, been extremely challenging.
“All I did was fall in love with a man,” she says. “The fact he had two kids was never a factor for me. I never felt any pressure because I didn’t feel like I was replacing Jane because you don’t replace people. You can’t.
“I am me. I make a really good Sara. I don’t make a really good anyone else. And I think Glenn liked me for the person that I was. And I was always just going to be the best stepmum I could be. I didn’t come here to be James and Holly’s replacement mum. I’m here to be their stepmum.
“Has it been easy? No. Any mother will tell you raising children is hard work. I was just very, very lucky I had a pair of really good kids, whose arms were open to give me a hug the first time I met them.”
Stepmother Love: Ten Inspiring Stories About The Toughest Gig In The World, by Sally Collins, published by Simon & Schuster) from April 1.
