I apologize

[special mom]

When becoming a step, or if you’ve done so already you have to ask yourself.
- Am I able to resist jealous feelings or at least stuff those feelings into an ulcer?
- Am I willing to fall in love with a child that I have NO LEGAL role with?
- Am I willing to keep my mouth shut during parenting disputes?
- Am I willing to suffer the “hurt” of doing much of the “work” of being a parent without being entitled to all the “perks” I would get as parent?
- Am I willing realize that my spouse and Ex are both humans and may not have the best or fairest judgment when it comes to the other.
- Am I willing to play diplomat to help my spouse co parent effectively or at least not make things worse?
- Am I willing to consider that if my spouses Ex is really the he/she thinks then what does that say about my spouses taste and ultimately me?
- Am I willing to accept the financial burden that comes with a spouse “with strings” even though that will impact my future children with Spouse?
- Am I willing to foster a positive perception of the child’s other parent because that ultimately shapes the child’s perception of him/herself?

If the answer to any of these questions is, “No” then you have no business being a stepparent.

Amazing Bloopy! You nailed it! If NCP ever decides to see MDB again, I might paint that on a canvas and frame it for "The Good Mommy".

Truer words are seldom spoken.

 

[proud_parent]

When becoming a step, or if you’ve done so already you have to ask yourself...

If the answer to any of these questions is, “No” then you have no business being a stepparent.

Amen. AMEN. AMEN.

Now there's a spot of free advice that should be required reading for any step- or soon-to-be step-parent.

Thank you, Bloopy (from someone who can honestly answer "Yes" to all)!