| Being a parent is difficult enough - you will never stop | | | | being together and comfortable in their own place |
| worrying, fearing and hoping for your children, | | | | within the family. When they get to this point, it will be |
| regardless of how old they are. When you're a step | | | | easier to form a relationship with them and feel more |
| parent, you can also develop these feelings, however - | | | | like a true family. |
| it's a lot more difficult to be a step parent than it is to | | | | In the meantime, simply let the children know that you |
| be a parent, especially at first. This article discusses | | | | are there for them if they need you and that you will |
| some important tips for being a step parent and what | | | | do anything you can to help them. Then, allow them to |
| you can do to form a lasting relationship with your step | | | | come to you. |
| children. | | | | Time and Proof |
| Big, Bad Step Parent | | | | Many times, the only thing that will get through to |
| You may notice that you're looked at by the step | | | | children that you are not there to take their parent's |
| children as the big, bad guy or girl who's intruding. This | | | | place or that you're not the bad guy is time and proof. |
| is perfectly normal and although it can easily hurt one's | | | | Older children will see how happy you have made their |
| feelings, the truth is that it probably has nothing to do | | | | parent and that you're really a good person. As they |
| with you! Children are not able to rationalize and sort | | | | start to realize this, they will probably begin realizing |
| out their feelings the way adults are, so it's easy to put | | | | that it's safe and okay to form bonds with you. They |
| the blame on you for something that stems | | | | may start to speak with you a little bit more, ask you |
| somewhere else. | | | | to play with them or take them somewhere. |
| They may have had a particularly difficult time with | | | | This is your cue that it's alright to try and form a |
| their parents' divorce and feel that you are trying to | | | | relationship with them. Try and do things with them that |
| replace their mom or dad. They may also feel that | | | | they love to do. As they spend more and more time |
| with you and their mother or father together - there is | | | | with you, those important bonds will develop and soon |
| no place for them. Younger children and teenagers | | | | you will have a great relationship with your |
| alike can feel this way! | | | | step-children. |
| Give Them Time | | | | Although it's difficult to be a step-parent, it's also very |
| One thing you can do for children who feel this way is | | | | rewarding! There are many children who have better |
| give them time. The relationship will not form overnight, | | | | relationships with their step parents than they do with |
| but you can do several things to help it move more | | | | their own parents. Although you should always |
| quickly. The first thing is to not push yourself on the | | | | encourage them to see their biological parent, you can |
| children. They need time to adjust to the new situation | | | | also be a very large part of your step-childrens' lives! |
| so that they feel comfortable with you and their parent | | | | |