Successful 'blended family' stories please

[wickedwitchNE]

I have typed out a post for this board so many times in the past couple of weeks, but it always ends up long or ranty, or complicated.

24w pregnant, lovely 5yo DSD. A number of things/issues (you all know how it is, never bloody simple to put it lightly!) have just meant that right now I am seriously regretting not starting a family the old-fashioned way. For one, I'd bloody love to be coming first every so often as a first-time pregnant woman, not that I'm ever allowed to say that one out loud!

So to put it simply: somebody please tell me that having a baby as a step-mum can be lovely. Tell me it is worth it in the end. All the angst, insecurity and guilt, ex issues, and of course the constant overriding need to make sure DSC are never ever left out in any way - they are all insignificant in the long run aren't they?! Blended families aren't all bad? Please reassure me, I know I'm over-thinking everything with another 4 months still to go, but reading some of the threads on here has made me need some success stories to get me through this until December.

OP, is there any aspect of life that you can say with certainty how it will work out; why would blended families come with any more certainty than any other aspect of life?

What you can say with certainty is that you will love your baby and most likely try to give him/her the best life that you can provide.

The only thing that you can be absolutely certain about is your inability to predict with certainty any aspects of your life.

Love your baby and live your best life. There is really nothing more that you can do.

Thread is 8 years old...

@MrsN85

Positive blended family stories please.....?

@MrsN85 Best to start your own

My DS is nearly 2, DSS is 7. Over the years we've had a hell of a lot of issues with his Mum. BUT DSS and DS together makes it all worthwhile. We are such a strong family unit and it works for outings when DSS is here and not, as we will still do things to make sure age appropriate. DSS still gets 1:1 time with his Dad, but so does DS and I still do 1:1 (like shopping and lunch days in the city with DSS) with both boys. Yes the wider events around it all are by far nowhere near perfect but I can say without a doubt since DSS knew I was pregnant it's been brilliant and we've all been so close. It can work very successfully, but it has taken being very strong with DPs ex and keeping clear boundaries, not rising to any of her changing moods, always been very positive about her with DSS regardless of what she has said to him and remembering that to be fair to both boys is not always the same as treating both boys equally!

My DSCs are the best children and siblings in the world and have never been anything but there 100% for my DC. Slightly different circumstances than most as they have always been resident with me and DH and consider me to be Mum (as do I) but still - the bond is absolutely the same between my bio and non bio kids. I am absolutely blessed to have them.