Is it normal to resent your stepchild?

Is it normal to resent your stepchild?

In fact, it’s normal. Stepparents should not feel, or be made to feel, guilty for not instantly (or ever) loving their stepkids. When they do, that guilt – if ongoing and unaddressed – can morph over time into deep-seated resentment.

Why do I have resent towards my stepchildren?

Tons of other factors can contribute to why it’s normal to resent your stepchildren, but another major driver is money. Similarly to a custody agreement, the impact of divorce, custody and child support, and raising kids can put a strain on your finances that you aren’t used to and that feels unfair.

Is it OK to not like your stepchild?

Above all remember, you and your stepchildren may never develop a close relationship. And, that really is okay. You do not have to love or like your stepchildren for your stepfamily to be, and feel, successful; you just have to be a good-enough (step)parent.

What do you do when you hate your stepchild?

Here are some things you can do to try to improve your experience and maybe even start to cultivate good feelings toward your stepchild:

1. Create a vision for your life that includes your stepchild.
2. Address the behavior.
3. Don’t have regrets.
4. Find one endearing quality you can embrace.
5. Pretend you’re her.

What is stepchild syndrome?

Mini Wife Syndrome is when the stepchild acts as if she were the mother of the family. This behavior is often linked to guilt parenting (sometimes even Disneyland Dad parenting) and a history of uncorrected behavior by the parents.

Why is being a stepparent so hard?

Another reason stepparenting can be harder than parenting is that stepchildren come into the mix at a variety of ages. Their ages can influence how quickly you can build a relationship with them. Children under 10 are often quickest to accept a stepparent, while children ages 10 to 14 may have the most difficult time.

Why are stepchildren so difficult?

What is the nacho method?

“Nachoing” as it is often referred to as, or using the Nacho Kids method, is stepping back from situations that cause you and/or your blended relationship stress and realizing when you feel you have “no control” you actually have the ultimate control. And that is how you let it affect you.

How do step moms cope with stress?

1. Prioritize yourself.
2. Know that your struggles are normal.
3. When it gets hard, lean out of being a stepmom and into being a wife.
4. Stop comparing yourself to the ex.
5. Lighten up the pressure you’re putting on yourself to love your stepkids.
6. Align on your finances.
7. Find your stepmoms sisters for support.

Why are blended families so hard?

Intimacy between people takes a long time, is built over repeated interactions, and develops at its own pace. It can be incredibly frustrating even in healthy relationships between two adults. It can feel impossible between an adult and an unrelated child. Adults in blended families are given a puzzle too.