This article presents a grounded theory investigation of the roles women fulfill as mothers in stepfamilies. A key role for these 24 mothers was serving as the link between the stepfather (her husband) and her children. When conflicts arose between children and stepfathers, mothers' loyalties lay with their children, and they engaged in protective behavior manifested in four ways: defender, gatekeeper, mediator, and interpreter. Influences on these roles include (i) expectations for and perceptions of her family, (ii) her partner's experiences with families and children, (iii) structural characteristics of stepfamilies, and (iv) beliefs about children's needs. The performance of protective mother roles has important implications for the integration and development of the stepfamily, familial roles for family members, and women's general wellbeing. KEY WORDS: grounded theory • motherhood • mothers' roles • remarriage • stepfamilies Mothers as key players in families is not a new concept in family research. In fact, much has been written regarding mothers and their importance in caregiving, childrearing, kin keeping, and household maintenance in nuclear and extended family systems. In stepfamilies, however, the lives of mothers have not been extensively explored. For instance, in spite of the burgeoning