Step-Parent Like a Pro: Grow your skillset
Step-Parenting Leveled Up
Ask most any step-parent and they'll tell you, "parenting my step-kids is harder than parenting my own kids." What's the reason for that? Well, in my opinion there are several variations of that answer but it all seems to come back to one thing: Fear.Fear about judgement or criticism from the other birth parent. Fear about damaging the relationship with your step-child or with your significant other. Basically, fear about doing something wrong or rocking the boat in some way. (This idea of fear comes up a LOT with coparenting as well, which we will eventually get to in this series.)
Combining our awareness of how being a step-parent challenges us emotionally with the idea that households operate the best when they look as much like gracious families as possible, we will be able to unpack some concepts of how to handle step-parenting in a way that promotes a culture of grace and love in the house.
Last time, we examined the role of step-parent and why it's such an awesome and unique role. This week, we'll look at how to skillfully proceed in your role as step-parent. How do you not just survive the job but knock it out of the park? We'll look at hot to skillfully proceed in your role as step-parent and I'll share some easy tips you can start today.
Considerations of Age
If you are a step-parent to older kids (I’ll call this 9th grade and above), your lane is to basically be the auxiliary adult. You just need to back up your spouse, and basically add peace, joy and stability to the household. You need to be WD-40! The fun uncle. If you have a different perspective on rules, routines, structure, you should absolutely express that...in private with your significant other. Your biggest opportunity for blessing is to encourage, support, champion, and provide positive stability. This is not the opportunity to strut your stuff and completely re-invent the rules.
If you’re a step-parent to younger kids, you will be a more integral part of developing the child’s story arc. Step-parents of younger kids intrinsically feel this weight. It shouldn't be surprising if the child takes their (pre-verbal) angst out on the step-parent, as the symbol of all that is new and different in the family unit. A wise step-parent will understand that this is not personal, and use this as an opportunity to connect rather than recoil.
Considerations in Training
As a birth parent, it may be difficult to not get territorial, possessive or defensive about your kids and your parenting decisions. Feelings can easily get hurt in this context. Counseling support can absolutely be helpful if you’re in this predicament. The solution to this is often structural, and a trained eye can reshape and rebalance the household dynamic like only a non-emotionally invested outsider can.As a step-parent, it may be confusing as to what your defined role is in terms of promoting a healthy family life and encouraging the kids to be his/her best "self" possible. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind:
Be the type of partner who would never make your significant other feel like they have to make a lose/lose choice of partner vs. kids.
Cut down on the fear of there not being "enough" to go around.
There is plenty of room for both/and solutions in step-parenting. There is enough time in the day. There is enough love to go around. Open wide your heart and engage in your creative problem solving skills. Setting up the family for success in this way is a MAJOR win, and you can excel in this area by going out of your way to be the furthest thing from petty, needy and territorial. Be generous. Be patient. Just be cool! If you're open handed, it'll come back to you ten-fold.
Stay in your lane.
Clarity in the bounds of your role reduces fear of overstepping.
Don’t over-estimate your skill set in bringing peace and civility to a situation. Whatever the current dynamic of the family is when you arrive on scene, there are a lot of factors and causes for it. You're not the chaos whisperer. You're not Mary Poppins. You are not bringing healing to decades-long conflicts with your banana nut muffins!
Know your role. Observe. Keep your thoughts to yourself unless you're asked. You're here to make things easier in real, tangible ways.
You didn't start the fire, but you can pick up a fire extinguisher.
You didn’t create these kids. You can’t re-create these kids. Put simply: Your step-kids are not your kinfolk. They have different aptitudes and attributes than your kinfolk have. You don't need to walk around with the pressure that you have something to prove to the world through them.
Get to know their strengths and weaknesses, their potential and what really motivates them.
Work within the framework that has already been established before you arrived on scene.
Surely, you can teach helpful lessons and model positive character attributes. But you're not going to remake your step-kids in your own image just because they're at your house 50% of the time. Accept this and have reasonable expectations that everyone can agree to.
They are who they are. They will be who they will be. You can expect things from them like a respectful attitude, chores, honesty, etc. But you can't expect straight A's in math just because you were on math team.
Well...there you go! Step-parenting is the easiest job on the planet, eh? ;) I sincerely hope you have found a tool or two to add to your toolbox of step-parenting skills! It's a tricky role but you've got what it takes. I believe in you!
If you'd like to set up a time and work together to come up with a more specific plan for your household, just let me know! I have offices in Walker, Louisiana and Baton Rouge.
Next we'll look at achieving equality among step-siblings without the pitfall of comparison.