I know IABU but interested to hear others thoughts on this especially those who are step GP’s or have direct experience.
Background is MIL remarried when DH was 9/10 (so 28 or so years), FIL remarried too. MIL & husband had DS not long after. My parents also split/remarried when I was a similar age.
DH & I have 2 children. They are too young (5m & 3) to understand the family dynamics so as far as they are concerned just lots of GP’s which is lovely for them.
DH’s half brother (son of MIL & husband) recently announced he & wife are expecting their first child. In conversation with DH’s step dad recently he announced “I’m going to be a grandad”. I know IABU but it stung a little! My DS was there & although he didn’t bat an eyelid my first thought was he might have found that a bit confusing because to him step GF is just “grandad”.
In terms of my family, my step brother was the first of me & my siblings to have a child & I know that it was as that point that my mum considered herself a grandparent. Same on my dads side but with my step sister. My parents / step parents have never outwardly differentiated between their children’s DC & their step children’s DC.
So as I say, I know it’s a bit unreasonable but it has sat with me a little that my husbands step father did. I thought he would already consider himself a GP given that our children consider him so.
Calling others with similar family dynamics, although you would naturally feel differently towards blood/married DC/GC would you vocalise this or am I just super sensitive & hormonal?!