Custodial Stepmoms: Ease the Stress of 24/7 Stepparenting by Mary T. Kelly, MA
Overheard at my local coffee shop: “I’m telling you, Amanda, this parenting stuff is for the birds. My kids are so ungrateful. I do and do for them and they just seem to expect it. I need a very long vacation.”
Amanda’s retort: “Tell me about it!”
There’s an explicit understanding that parenting is a thankless job. At least biological parents get to complain about it without fear of being judged or misunderstood. Woe is the custodial stepmom who dares to utter anything considered negative when it comes to taking care of her stepkids full time. If she does, she’s an evil, selfish stepmother. Period.
I’m going to assume that, if you’re reading this article, you have primary custody of your partner’s kids. You might have known this going into the relationship. Or the situation may have changed, taking you from part-time to full-time stepmom. Whether it’s because the biological mom flew the coop to “go find herself,” is a drug addict, is stationed overseas with the armed forces or is (sadly) deceased, you are living in a home with someone else’s children 24/7.
Being a part-time stepmom is extremely challenging. Taking part in providing full-time care for someone else’s children kicks things up to a whole different level.
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