Hot on HuffPost Parents:
Cory Silverberg: Science and Storytelling in Sex Education
Carrie Smith: Building a Family: Is Going Into Debt for In Vitro or…
Stepmoms are the new parenting trend
Filed under: Just For Moms, Just For Dads, Activities: Babies, Development/Milestones: Babies, Media
Did you know that more than half the women in the US are living in some sort of step-relationship? I certainly didn't, but according to this article, step families are a growing trend in that country, through remarriage, dating, or living together.It's pretty accepted that step-relationships can cause anxiety and concern in kids who have strong loyalty ties to their birth or adopted parents. And this article has some interesting tips for step-parents looking for a meaningful relationship with stepchildren. The tips include:
1) Attitude is key - this tip makes mention of Jada Pinkett-Smith's reference of her stepson Trey as her "bonus child." I think that is a nice way of putting it, as long, as the article warns, it's said with sincerity.
2) Toddlers are easiest to win over - they don't have preconceived judgment or inherent feelings of loyalty.
3) Be sensitive about "muscling in" to the relationship with Dad - provide space.
4) Try to see things from the child's point of view - I think we could all benefit from doing this a little more often, at least I could.
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
Recently Asked
- PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR JUDGMENT ON THE PLEADINGS AS TO THE ANSWER BY DEFENDANTS ______________________________. Plaintiff, ________________________ h...
- LAW SCHOOL OR COPYCAT would'nt it be a difficult profession ( lawyer)if anyone could use your court case defense as plaintiff or defendant
- Alot of .gov when submitting a program or proposal for government agency (be sure you personally can provide for the agency)
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
The Pregnancy Show - Parenting Step Children Part 1
Find out how to deal with children that are not biologically yours. How do you develop a relationship and deal with the trials and tribulations of raising a step child?
-
Miley Cyrus' Parents Desperately Trying To Save Her Relationship
Miley Cyrus may seem older, but she is still a young girl and her parents are trying to step in and help her out with her relationship problems. They are desperately trying to get her back with Liam Hemsworth.
-
Parenting Step Children
How can you integrate your spouse's children from previous marriage into your home life? What do you do if your stepchildren do not see you as a parental figure?
-
Steps When Potty Training a Child
What steps should parents take when the child is ready?
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
8-14-2006 @ 7:52PM
Mary said...Warning: this is not a bandwagon you want to hop onto just to be trendy! Step-parenting is, in my experience, much more complicated than parenting biological kids. (I have three of my own and five steps.) My steps came into my life when they were 2 - 9 years old. Each has responded differently to me, but if their dad weren't 110% supportive and if I hadn't had parenting experience of my own, I don't know how I'd have managed.
I really feel for stepmoms who stay at home and do most of the parenting while dad's at work. That must be so difficult.
One of the mistakes I see stepmoms make (often those who have no prior parenting experience) is to assume the conflicts they're having with their stepkids are happening BECAUSE it's a step-relationship. It isn't always the case. Because I have three teens of my own, when I have a conflict with one of my steps, I know that 95% of the time, "This is just normal teen stuff". It makes it easier.
Reply
8-14-2006 @ 8:58PM
daisy said...Even after my dad has been married to my stepmom for 20 (!) years, my relationship with her is still rocky. She was jealous of my time with my dad when I was only 13, and it set a bad tone for our entire relationship, as that's a really tricky age. I agree that stepmoms need to provide some space--it's important for the kids to have some time with dad alone (after all the stepmom probably gets tons of one-on-one time with her husband). It's no threat to stepmom, really.
I think it's also important to remember that kids have no control in these situations. If you choose to marry a man with kids, it's your choice. Kids get no choice in their parents' spouses. I think the adults need to work hard to make it work.
Reply