Step Parent Rights

[flinchy1]

i would like to know what my rights are as a step parent in virginia. my husband has physical custody, so the children live with us. am i legally allowed to discipline the children? am i legally obligated to do as she wishes with the children under my roof? where is information available on the laws and rights of step parenting?

 

[MySonsMom]

i would like to know what my rights are as a step parent in virginia. my husband has physical custody, so the children live with us. am i legally allowed to discipline the children? am i legally obligated to do as she wishes with the children under my roof? where is information available on the laws and rights of step parenting?

Stepparents have no legal rights. They only have what the biological parent allows them to have/do.

 

[LegalBeagle]

am i legally obligated to do as she wishes with the children under my roof?

????

 

[MySonsMom]

It sounds like the mom has some problems with the step mom and the step mom wants to know *if* she can go against the mom.

My advice....You have a long haul in front of you with being a step parent...choose your battles....and try your damnest to make things work and make things smooth...because if you don't....you don't have a future there.

Good luck!

 

[flinchy1]

Fortunately, the step mom and mom get along for the most part, but there are times when the mom needs to feel like an authority even though the children are living with the step mom. It does make things a bit pinchy at times, but the long road began along time ago, so the step mom is used to it! So, if the Father gives the step mother rights to disipline the child, take the child places, and all out act like a parent to the child, then the step parent has the right to parent?? (thanks!!)

 

[MySonsMom]

Fortunately, the step mom and mom get along for the most part, but there are times when the mom needs to feel like an authority even though the children are living with the step mom. It does make things a bit pinchy at times, but the long road began along time ago, so the step mom is used to it! So, if the Father gives the step mother rights to disipline the child, take the child places, and all out act like a parent to the child, then the step parent has the right to parent?? (thanks!!)

It actually all depends on the particular family. Father could give the stepmom permission to do something, BUT if the Mom challenges that it can be tough. Example: Father gives smom permission to inquire to the school about things, mom could disagree and make it hard/impossible for the smom to get info from school. Do you see what I mean?

 

[flinchy1]

Gotcha. Thanks for the information. I'll just count my blessings and be happy that for the most part, she and I get along pretty well. (And I agree with how you said to make things as smooth as possible. My pride has been broken many times, but it has greatly benefited the whole family, especially the kids.)

 

[MySonsMom]

Gotcha. Thanks for the information. I'll just count my blessings and be happy that for the most part, she and I get along pretty well. (And I agree with how you said to make things as smooth as possible. My pride has been broken many times, but it has greatly benefited the whole family, especially the kids.)

Very good. Being a step parent is difficult, being a custodial step parent is even more difficult.

I wish you the best with your family.