Our first day together:
Our First Outing:
The hardest thing I have ever done:
I have been a step parent for a little over two years so I can't start without saying I'm a newbie. My step son was 2 when I entered his life and he captured my heart very quickly. I love him and the tight rope that is being a part of a blended family can be difficult.
Regardless of whatever your situation, no matter how drama free it is or how difficult it can be: certain thoughts will always cross your mind. Regardless of custodial situation- it's never going to always be perfect.
For our personal situation, I feel blessed. It certainly isn't always sunny but we make it work. I network and talk to other step-parents and listen to their personal situations. I know that being a part of a blended family can be painful- for all parties.
It isn't always sunshine and roses.
That breaks my heart. I know it's hard not to seek validation from various places but I think it's a disservice or worse to seek from your step-child. I know the party line is "someday (he or she) will see that you're indeed the better parent". This is wrong.
Before I delve into that I want to preface the above statement with this: hoping and praying that your step-child will one day see the great love you have for them is different than the desire to be seen as the "better parent".
I know that parental alienation can be devastating, especially to the child and it is the hope of all on the receiving end; that eyes will finally open. Would not the best possible scenario be that instead of the realization, that the parent they love, is a hurtful manipulative liar: instead be a healing on both ends for the betterment of the child. In many case though- that may never be a reality. So you work with what you can.