A nice step relationship story

[Honeyroar]

There are so many threads on here showing how difficult it is to be a step parent. I thought I’d post one to show a nicer side.

I’ve been a step mum for 17 years. We’ve had our ups and downs, issues with the ex etc, but overall pretty good.

My dad is in end of life care. My 25 yr old stepson is at uni 200 mules away. He’s just come home because we told him about my dad because he said he felt like he like was his grandad, just to be here to help out, and for a family hug.

These things make it all worth it.

That’s really nice OP, you sound like a lovely family.

From a slightly different angle, my dad remarried later in life when I was in my earlier 20s (and my siblings a bit older). There were some issues and hard times, caused by both me and my siblings and my step mum to be fair (she was quite insecure and got nasty after a few wines, which she openly admits to now herself). But 20 years on she and my dad are happy, she’s been a great support to him through health issues and hard family times too.
I don’t see her as a mum but I do care for her, I do the Mother’s Day and birthdays as if she was my parent, she sat at top table at my wedding and she is “nanny” to my kids and there’s never been any question that she wouldn’t be.

Ah my step dad is lovely. He checks my car before I go on any long journeys. He's a bit of a grumpy sod at times but aren't we all 🤷‍♀️ I definitely see him as family.

It’s good to read some nice stories.
(I’ve just noticed my 200 mules!!)

I'm glad to hear your positive step story and sorry about your dad.

I get on really well with my DSDs too. They are growing into kind, funny, intelligent young women. I don't see them as "my" children and they don't see me as a second mum. We have our own relationship that has developed naturally over the years with no pressure for it to be anything other that what it was.

My DSD has told me secrets that she hasn't told anyone and asks advice on things and I'm the first to know about new love interests.She also trusts me with topics she doesn't feel safe about sharing with anyone yet and calls me her vault keeper.

She says I'm like a agony aunt come to life that she gets to live with. She's funny smart and interesting.

We are in the teen years so I suspect much door slamming and stropping I know if she's in danger or feels unsafe (no matter where she is) she will call me and knows I will be there.

I find it a privilege (even if sometimes she bursts my blood vessels with stress - teen girls are hard man) never want to be a teen again it seems harder with social media around.

That's nice.

My SC don't have a relationship with my parents (because I don't really) but my own DC do know my in-laws pretty well, and my in-laws buy them presents for birthday and Christmas just like they do for my SC so I do think that my DC will grow to love in inlaws as time goes on, they are very comfortable with them. They're good people.

This is so lovely. Bet you are all so proud of him and how caring and respectful he is. 👏🏼
Positive stories like this are great... wish my SS had been raised to be like this - unfortunately his reply to being contacted and told his Great Grandad had suddenly passed away was 'thanks for letting me know'. The mind boggles xx