A Weird Role
Step parenting can be very fulfilling...but I'm not gonna lie, it can also be a very confusing and emotional role. Sometimes I feel like I shouldn't care about the kids so much or treat them like they're my own...but how can I not when I've had them in my life for over 6 years now? How can I not when I've done so much and sacrificed so much for them for the last 6 years? How can I not when I've devoted all of myself to them-to their lives, their schedules, their well-being... when my life basically revolves around them? It's hard knowing that you've done so much and still feel like you don't know your "place", or you wonder if they even like you, if you're doing things "right", or if they just tolerate you because they have to... It's hard sometimes feeling like you should pull back, because you're not the biological parent, even though you do ALL the same things (if not more at times) as a "real" parent....