I am in the very early stages of step parenting. This is both my husband and I's 2nd marriage, however I have no children of my own. We have several different challenges that perhaps not everyone else is experiencing with their blended families, but I would love to hear others experiences, feelings, fears, tips, etc. I am not here to judge anyone but rather to just open a dialogue with other believers who understand how hard this is and can share some of God's insights into the challenges of marriage/blending families/step parenting.
(Some background: I have a beautiful 5 year old stepdaughter who is incredible! Since meeting her about a year ago, we have spent a lot of time together and early on had an opportunity to bond, which has helped a great deal so when her father and I married it didn't feel any different to her really. The toughest part has just been dealing with just everyday type stuff, and continuing to give grace where it is needed especially with my husband. I don't have children of my own so I'm learning a mom type role on top of feeling like my hands are tied or like I don't quite ever know exactly what my role is. My husband is Latino and I am white, his daughter is bilingual (and i am not) so there was a lot of frustration with not understanding what she was saying to him or her to him. My husband and I have different parenting styles so another huge challenge was learning how to co-parent... THEN you add in visitations, and parenting plans and school... ON and ON it goes. Its been tough but we have had several small victories as we have begun navigating the waters of this journey, its defiantly not for the faint of heart though.)
Question: Do any of you ever feel slightly jealous or fight the feeling of being left out? Unintentionally or not. This has been one I've been feeling off and on but continue to take to God and my husband. But it still happens, seems to be more frequent however when I am not getting some need met when its just the hubby and me, and then when we are all together and I see him give it so easily to his daughter its alil bit of a stab.
(Some background: I have a beautiful 5 year old stepdaughter who is incredible! Since meeting her about a year ago, we have spent a lot of time together and early on had an opportunity to bond, which has helped a great deal so when her father and I married it didn't feel any different to her really. The toughest part has just been dealing with just everyday type stuff, and continuing to give grace where it is needed especially with my husband. I don't have children of my own so I'm learning a mom type role on top of feeling like my hands are tied or like I don't quite ever know exactly what my role is. My husband is Latino and I am white, his daughter is bilingual (and i am not) so there was a lot of frustration with not understanding what she was saying to him or her to him. My husband and I have different parenting styles so another huge challenge was learning how to co-parent... THEN you add in visitations, and parenting plans and school... ON and ON it goes. Its been tough but we have had several small victories as we have begun navigating the waters of this journey, its defiantly not for the faint of heart though.)
Question: Do any of you ever feel slightly jealous or fight the feeling of being left out? Unintentionally or not. This has been one I've been feeling off and on but continue to take to God and my husband. But it still happens, seems to be more frequent however when I am not getting some need met when its just the hubby and me, and then when we are all together and I see him give it so easily to his daughter its alil bit of a stab.
