Step mother - no I don't dislike her!

[moresugarthanalemon]

My step mum has been part of my life since I was four, and when I talk about my step mum I always feel the need to clarify that fact! Almost like I'm saying 'she's like a real mum and part of my life properly etc etc'.

I wish there was a word that would explain it all without me having to clarify like I do!

There is a word.....step mum

My sister feels that our stepfather is more her father than the man whose DNA we share (who she hasn’t seen for about 25 years). She just refers to him as ‘my dad’.

It’s probably more complex if you actually have a relationship with both your parents though.

@Notacluewhatthisis  here's your gold star for commenting. Now run along

@TwiceMagic Yeah exactly! It's like I feel disingenuous to say 'mum' but I also want to convey that we are close and I feel like she's my 'second mum'. 'Step mum' always sounds so distant to me

I think there’s s huge amount of cultural baggage with the term stepmum. It’s hard to get away from the term though when you need to distinguish between your mum and stepmum.

Other mother? That's what my stepdaughter calls me.