Step-life

[kerosene]

How do most step-parents deal with their duties as a step-parent? Do your kids call you some form of Mom, or by your first name? Do you participate in their activities with your spouse or not? Do you enforce any of the household rules, or leave it to the "real" parent?

I think being a step-mom is like trying to feed a rabid dog. You can feed the dog, yes and if you do, you might get your hand bit off, or not, but either way, people don't typically understand your struggle. There is very little in the way of acknowledgment that goes with being a step-parent, the way a bio-parent gets it. If you are too nice to your step-kids, their bio-mom tries to demonize you, so she doesn't have to share her kids with you. If you are not nice enough, she coddles her kids as to "protect" them. Either way, you are the enemy.

This probably isn't defining of every step-parent's dramatized life, but it has been pretty much the case for me. I love all my kids, but it can be tough at times.