The Evil Step Parent

There are two types of step parents. The ones who were already parents and the ones who aren’t.

Being a parent too someone elses child is probably one of the hardest roles of parenthood. Quite often step children have a lot of adjusting to do because they suddenly have an extra parental figure.

When you have stepchildren they usually have to test you to your limit so they can see how far they can push you. Usually as a stepparent you get pushed more than the average parent does. You also need to remember that sometimes step children can see you as a threat to their relationship with their biological parent.

In the same breath you need to make sure that your role as a stepparent is clearly defined. Are you expected to discipline? How? When? It is also easy to fall into the role of letting the children do or have whatever they want.

Quite often you can be viewed as the ‘evil step parent. This can be avoided by ensuring that you know what your role is and that you make time to develop a relationship with the child or children.