Being in a stepfamily is hard. Some experts estimate that the stepfamily constellation is the fastest growing type of family in our population, and we already know that RE-marriages, particularly remarriages with children from previous relationships, are vastly more prone to divorce than first marriages. And in our divorce-happy culture, that's pretty scary.
Adolescents are abnormal by definition. I firmly believe that God created this stage of development so that when the time comes, parents have the ability to “launch” their offspring into adulthood. Remember how hard it was to drop your 3-year-old off at pre-school? How you tiptoed back to the window to make sure she quit crying after you left? I’m not saying there is no angst in helping your little darling permanently change addresses when the time comes, but having the turmoil of adolescence replaces the trauma with--at the very least—a bit more ambivalence.
Some parents are Step-parents! I am the proud stepmother of four and have been for 14 years. My husband and I have one daughter together. While parenting is difficult at times, the most challenging role I have EVER undertaken is that of a stepmother. As a licensed therapist here in Peoria, I have created a blog based on my own mistakes so that others can profit from them. I also provide counseling, coaching and support to stepmothers and their families. Check me out at facebook.com/stepmothersupport and stepmothersupport.com.
