Aspire Magazine: Inspiration for a Woman's Soul.(TM) Aug/Sept 2019 Aspire Mag FINAL | Page 70
I
One of the most
rewarding roles a
stepmom can have
is to be a positive
role model for her
stepkids.
’ve yet to meet a woman whose life
goal was to become a stepmom. I mean,
with how the media depicts stepmoms in
movies, shows and books, it’s no wonder
women who do find themselves becoming
stepmoms, ask themselves “What have I
gotten myself into?”
As a stepmom, you might be dealing with a
high conflict ex, stepkids who couldn’t care
less if you were around or not, or a partner
who parents his kids out of guilt. Your family
and friends keep telling you “you knew what
you were getting into when you met this
person.” At times, you feel as if you’ve lost
all sense of who you are. Is it possible to be
happy and a stepmom all in one breath?
Yes, it’s possible. Maybe not in a millisecond
but yes, you can be a happy stepmom. It’s
all a matter of prioritizing what you need and
want in order to be happy. Successful and
happy stepmoms practice several habits
that can transform an often ambiguous
and challenging role into one where they
feel rewarding and fulfilling. Although these
habits may seem simple, don’t be fooled.
You’ll be amazed by the impact these habits
will have on you as a stepmom and a woman
as well as on those in your life.
1. Practice Patience.
A happy stepmom understands the value
of practicing patience. When you practice
patience, you give yourself the time to think
more clearly about what’s going on with your
stepfamily. You allow time to calm down from
a frustrating situation and allow others the
opportunity to deal with their issues. When you
give time and space for your stepkids to trust
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you as someone who will be there for them,
to be a supporting partner, you feel more in
control of your life and are willing to let others
deal with the issues that belong to them
2. Know/Understand.
Your Role. Being a stepmom is one of the
most ambiguous roles there is when it
comes to parenting. Society expects you
to act like a mother and at the same time
not get involved. Conflict may arise if your
partner’s ex doesn’t want you to be involved
in her kids’ life. Studies repeatedly show that
the women who know and understand what
their role is in stepfamilies are the happiest.
You may have to try on a variety of roles to
see which one fits best within your situation.
Maybe your role is one of support, or of
mentoring. Whatever that role is, embrace
it as one that fills the need of everyone,
including you
3. Have a Game Plan.
A happy stepmom has a vision for her family,
her partnership and herself. If you have no
www.AspireMAG.net | August / September 2019