What do you like about being a Step Parent?

[Lilypad34]

I thought I'd try this, I have moaned about various things on this board and it has really helped in giving me new perspectives..Being a step parent isn't all bad so I thought I'd ask what you all liked about being one and about your SC..

I like being an extra person to care about DSD, I like the way she is so mischievous and the spirit she has despite everything. I like the way she laughs until she cries, it's so infectious!

I like being able to have a social life and time with my husband when DSD is with her mum.

What about you?

What a lovely idea for a thread! I liked the fact that I got to see what sort of father DH was before we had our own child. I also liked the fact that when I was floundering around with a newborn and no idea what to do, it was all old hat for DH, so at least one of us knew what what we were doing. I like knowing that, despite DS being my only child he has siblings.

As far as what I like about my DSC, they are just nice people. I have enjoyed watching them grow up, and feel proud to have been part of it, even if it was just a small part.

I loved it for the main part whilst I was married to xh. I had three teenage girls so it was a challenge but became close to them all. Unfortunately they fell out with xh but since our divorce they have all stayed in touch with me and I keep in touch with their mum. I've had moments where their mum and I haven't seen eye to eye but we worked through it. I just found their affection so touching, all the more so because they bestowed it willingly.

I like that dsc has two 'mums' and now me and DH are married, dsc happily expressed how that 'now my daddy is marrying * (me) she will be my step mum' too bloody cute!

I also love knowing that dsc is excited about having brothers or sisters and has been involved about the conversation of their siblings potential name and what name he would pick.

Great thread, OP.
My dss has just returned from a short holiday to his dgps and gave me a hug and kiss from them, this boy knows how to melt my heart!
He's a bit younger than my ds and therefore still does all the cute little boy stuff like hugs and cuddling.
Also dp parents are the only gps for my ds and they've always treated him well. I wouldn't go so far as to say they treat him like another dgc, but he is included for Xmas presents.
They have always been totally fab to me, basically I'm being praised for not being psycho exw, so no mil problems there...
I'll stop now while the going is good and nobody on this thread wants horror stories on dsd or her mum.
Thanks again OP for letting us call to mind the good sides of sparenting, xx

I like that dSS (6) called me step mum this weekend for the first time to someone else. I love him to bits and so do my dc

Nice thread.
This week I've been enjoying how much my DD in particular benefits from having all the DSC around. She's loving the company and very much enjoying having a step sister. DD and my DS are like chalk and cheese a lot of the time - there's a lot of things that they each enjoy doing with the DSC.

And although I already have my own DC I do enjoy the DSC as extra people with different things to share with me. DSD is a girly girl in a way my DD isn't. Parenting a child that lacks confidence sometimes also gives me new challenges that I don't get with my own DCs - and can be really rewarding when I see their confidence growing.

DSD1 is older than my DC so I'm quite appreciating seeing all the teenage battles played out, whilst I act in an advisory role to DP, and don't actually have to take the difficult decisions. By the time my DC are rebellious teenagers I'll be an expert :)

I think I was a lot better at bringing up my own daughter because I had been a step-parent first. My expectations were a lot more realistic. And my step-children's love for their little sister has always struck me as an enormous blessing.

I have enjoyed seeing my stepdaughter grow up, and feeling that there are ways in which I have helped her.

I am pleased that she will sometimes come to me first for support because she knows that I will do my best for her.

I have learned a huge amount from seeing my stepson's difficulties and struggles. Although he is not very good at showing warmth or caring, I am pleased that he nonetheless does his best to demonstrate some kind of regard for me.

Has anyone found any major jealousy between sc and new addition to the family? I'm dreading it slightly when me and DH have our first child