Bonding with Step Children

[Holly129]

Hi All,

I was hoping some people could give me some tips on helping DH bond with DD? And hopefully share some of your own experiences? Have you found it hard to bond with step children? We have a DS and DH is besotted with him however it seems like my DD from a previous relationship is left on the sidelines. She's 3 and quite a handful at the moment. Her biological father isn't interested and walked out before she was born, so DH is the only father she has known. He says she's not blood so there will never be that bond but I think he's just afraid she'll keep rejecting him. All advice greatly appreciated!

Hi Holly,
That sounds like a really sad situation for all of you. No direct experience but maybe post in step parenting and you'll get more replies. Good luck to you and your DD.

That sounds awful for all of You. Was your DH like this before your ds came along?

Hi, step parenting board is your best bet. To go on my own experience though, i've known my dsd since she was about 3. She's now 13. She doesn't live with us so it's a bit different, though we've seen her pretty much every weekend during that time. I can honestly say that yes I do love her, in her own right, as a lovely, giving, accepting and affectionate individual. But no, it's nothing like the love I have for my ds. The whole point about love is that it takes many different forms and is directed at many different people. The love I have for my ds takes my breath away sometimes. The love I have for my dsd swells my stomach with pride.
Hth and good luck.

Oh and I also found that we became more of a family when ds came along and I saw how much dsd loves him. She'd do anything for him and that has cemented our relationship. We just do as much as possible together as a family. It's lovely.