Step Parenting - Why It"s Good to Get Stuck in the Middle When You"re a Step Parent
While being a step parent can be very confusing, there are some advantages.
They're one of the most misunderstood family members of all time which can be frustrating.
But the good news, is there are few hard and fast "rules" to step parenting so that adds a sense of flexibility.
Today let's look at one of the advantages offered to you with this flexibility: You get to be a neutral 3rd party in disagreements between your step children and spouse.
You really shouldn't be involved in any of the major power struggles parents run into with their kids.
Step "parent" is a misnomer.
You aren't a parent in this situation.
Let the biological parent do the parenting work.
Your job is to be present in the kids' lives, support your spouse and try to develop some type of relationship with these kids.
By being this neutral 3rd party, your spouse can vent to you about problems they're having.
They may feel stuck in how to handle a situation.
While you're not directly involved, you most definitely can be involved indirectly .
If your spouse comes to you with situations, you have the right to make suggestions and recommendations.
It's also important for you to be a good sounding board for your spouse so they can just blow off some steam when frustrated.
Finally, if you've been able to develop a decent relationship with your step kids, they may come to you to vent about their parent.
This again, gives you the advantageous position of having the potential to smooth things over between your step kids and spouse.
So when things get tough, revel in your middle position!You have the possibility of being a positive influence to both without having to do the ugly, hard work, of disciplining.
They're one of the most misunderstood family members of all time which can be frustrating.
But the good news, is there are few hard and fast "rules" to step parenting so that adds a sense of flexibility.
Today let's look at one of the advantages offered to you with this flexibility: You get to be a neutral 3rd party in disagreements between your step children and spouse.
You really shouldn't be involved in any of the major power struggles parents run into with their kids.
Step "parent" is a misnomer.
You aren't a parent in this situation.
Let the biological parent do the parenting work.
Your job is to be present in the kids' lives, support your spouse and try to develop some type of relationship with these kids.
By being this neutral 3rd party, your spouse can vent to you about problems they're having.
They may feel stuck in how to handle a situation.
While you're not directly involved, you most definitely can be involved indirectly .
If your spouse comes to you with situations, you have the right to make suggestions and recommendations.
It's also important for you to be a good sounding board for your spouse so they can just blow off some steam when frustrated.
Finally, if you've been able to develop a decent relationship with your step kids, they may come to you to vent about their parent.
This again, gives you the advantageous position of having the potential to smooth things over between your step kids and spouse.
So when things get tough, revel in your middle position!You have the possibility of being a positive influence to both without having to do the ugly, hard work, of disciplining.
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