Hi Zee, and welcome. I've seen first hand how mean step children can be. My nephews are really horrible to my brother's girlfriend. They treat her like air and answer in grunts. I don't get it, because they have a life of their own and needn't act like that at all. I think they always see the new one as someone wanting to replace their mother. And they are 19 and 16 years old! It's ridiculous. My brother is strict and demands they be more civil, but it doesn't faze them. So Tricia, my brother’s GF, treats them like air as well. She never greets them first, no more seeking eye contact, no conversations. I think that is the only way for self protection. So I can sympathize with you going to someone’s graduation that you don’t even care for. Hang in there…and see this as a stepping stone towards their independence and leaving the house someday.