Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Stepmom wonders about balance Blended Family Time

A stepmom asks:
I have a boyfriend with 2 kids that are under 18. I get along well with both kids.  I do not have kids of my own – my decision I am 44.  This is the first time I have had children in my life.  I am an only child and I was very up front and honest with my boyfriend about who I am, my personality, being an only child my life is about “me”  I am black and white little room for grey etc.  Our relationship moved quickly and we have been living together almost 2 years.  During some “learning curves” on my end, I was asked to include the kids in my life and I have almost 100%.  We have them on the every other weekend deal.  I honestly don’t think I am having “kid” issues as much as I am having relationship issues.

Okay here is my question – is it okay for the three of them to make plans and not include me and not ask me to go – even though I would not have gone.  Their plans are usually last minute type things and just leave me at home.

I feel left out, not included, and a little used for when I am needed.  I brought it up a few times as it has happened before and I get they are my kids.  I need to be able to do things with them without feeling guilty.  Should I be feeling left out here?  It is NOT all the time, but when it happens it is out of the blue and never any notice.  I am the planner – he is not.  I am the communicator and he is not.  I found out we were getting the kids for a 4-dayer by the 16 year old not my boyfriend.  I am really, really new at the kid thing and I think I try really hard – actually I was told I try to hard and do too much.  I just throw up my hands – thoughts? 

I try to find resources, but I am not a step mom, I am not a mom. 
Thanks.

Shirley Cress Dudley responds:

You really have a good perspective on this and have thought through it very thoroughly.

Your question is valid and I can answer it with some key principles for you and your boyfriend to follow:

A blended family needs balance- balance of couple time, parent/child time, and blended family time.  The couple takes priority (to give the kids a good example of a lasting relationship, and if the relationship isn’t working- nothing else really matters.)  The goal is for the couple to work together to do what’s best for the family.

Look for a balance during each visit with the kids:
  • Couple time:  even if it is the kid’s weekend, there should be some couple time planned in that weekend, staying up later together, getting up early for coffee together, to just taking a few minutes out of each day to connect and talk.
  • Parent/Child time:  it’s important for your boyfriend to spend time with his kids (without you.)  This doesn’t mean that when they visit, everything else is cancelled and the sole focus is on them, but it does mean running errands together, or maybe catching a movie together every now and then, or just playing basketball for 30 minutes together.
  • Blended Family time:  it’s also important for you as a whole family to spend time together.  Even though they aren’t your kids, you are co-parenting as their stepmom, and should be an active part of their lives.


The tough part is figuring out the right balance. (Just a hint:  I’ve never had a blended family couple with problems that had too much couple time, it’s usually the ones who have too much parent/child or too much blended family time that have the issues.)

Since you are a planner and your boyfriend is not- then you could use your planning skills to help him with balance. “Honey, I understand the kids are coming this weekend. What time do you want to spend with them, alone- and what sort of things could we do as a blended family?  Here are my ideas…..” 

and, don’t forget, both of you, to spend time together, as a couple, each day, (dedicated- just the two of you) even if the kids are there.

As far as him doing an activity with the kids and not inviting you- the two of you should discuss the weekend, in advance, even if it’s an informal conversation.  (If he plans on spending Saturday morning with the kids, and you agree- then theoretically he could do any activity, within reason, and not mention it to you…. But, it would be nice to mention what he was thinking about, and then ask you if you want to be included.)

I hope that helps. Other resources are reading the articles on my website, getting the book Blended Family Advice, or also, for a little comic relief (laugh out loud, but slightly irreverent perspective-) The Package Deal:  My (no-so) Glamorous Transition from Single Gal to Instant Mom by Izzy Rose (Amazon.com) or her website Step Mother’s Milk.

Kindest Regards,
Shirley

Shirley Cress Dudley, MA LPC NCC



Saturday, January 1, 2011

Should child call his stepdad "Daddy?"

A concerned family member asks:
What do you think about a 3 year old calling his mom’s fiancé “Daddy?”  The real daddy has been in jail for two years awaiting trial on charges brought by the 3 yrs old mom when the dad was trying to break up with her.  The trial was conducted in late September and the real dad was found innocent of all charges and released.  The real dad now has supervised visitation 2 days per work and plans on being an active part of his son's life and is being re-introduced as "Daddy" to his son.

The mom's fiancé has been around the little boy for 15 - 16 months and calls the him daddy. The mom and real dad do not talk or see each other due to a restraining order filed by the mom 7 months ago while the dad was still in jail.

Any advice on how to handle in the best interest of the little boy is appreciated.

Shirley Cress Dudley responds:
I know the biological dad may be concerned about his son calling his ex-wife’s fiancé “daddy”- but don’t worry. Little children are very flexible and logically need to have a mommy and a daddy in their home. The 3 year old won’t have a problem calling both “daddy.”  It should be explained to him, though, that although both men love him very much, his real daddy, the one who was there when he was born and is related to him is his biological dad.

Please tell the biological dad not to worry. His son will always be his son. I encourage him to rebuild a relationship with his son and spend quality time with him.  He could refer to the other man as “the daddy in mom’s house” so his son could hear the difference between the two men.

Shirley Cress Dudley, MA LPC NCC
Director of The Blended and Step Family Resource Center
Author of Blended Family Advice- the step-by-step guide for blended and step families to help them become strong and successful.