She was looking forward to some time alone as her husband left for a business trip to India. With three stepchildren in the throes of the teen years, life wasn’t easy. Married for less than two years, she had no idea the challenges that would erupt when she wed.
But she had signed up for the journey. When she said, “I do,” she committed to be a part of her stepchildren’s lives and wasn’t going to give up now. As a corporate executive, she had been through tough times before.
So how would she counter the hard days in her stepfamily? How would she keep going when her stepfamily relationships were struggling?
She educated herself to deal with the challenges. She read stepparenting books. She attended Ron Deal’s stepfamily conference. She sought counseling. She united with her husband to stay afloat. She read God’s word. She prayed.
And she stayed active in her stepchildren’s lives, even when it might appear they didn’t want her there. Soccer games, dentist appointments, band rehearsals, and a host of other kid activities made their way to her calendar. She sought to show love and support to her stepchildren in whatever way possible.
She altered her work schedule to allow more time at home when her stepchildren were there. She stepped off the corporate ladder and chose to work from home as much as possible.
And she committed to a new life that included love and rejection, smiles and glares, happiness and exasperation, and contentment and doubt.
Would she trade it for a different life? Some days, yes.
But will she quit? No
Although she yearned for time alone with her husband out of town, she opted to spend time with her stepchildren. When her 16-year-old stepson called and offered to mow the lawn, she welcomed him. After he finished, she offered to take him to dinner and asked if he would go to church with her that evening and he agreed. At dinner, they carried on meaningful conversation about his goals and future opportunities. She encouraged him to steadily work toward his aspirations.
When she dropped him at his mom’s that evening, her stepdaughter came out to say hello. After a brief hug and a few remarks about her first week of school, her stepdaughter retreated inside and she returned home for the evening, thankful for a good day as a stepmom.
A caregiver book I’m reading, Strength for the Moment, tells the story of a man who volunteered to care for an aging man–one who was a hermit and hoarder. The caregiver bonded with the man, Howie, and adjusted to a daily routine of caring for him. After dementia and Parkinson’s disease took control of Howie, he was forced to be moved to a nursing home. But the caregiver continued to visit him, unable to neglect the love he felt for the man. After leaving the nursing home one day, distraught that Howie was still alive when he was such a burden on others, he asked God why He didn’t take Howie home. Suddenly he realized, “Howie was there for me! God was teaching me how to love someone even when he offerered nothing in return.”
As stepparents, we all face days when our stepchildren offer nothing in return. We want to turn our backs and start down a different road. But as one caregiver discovered, God can teach us how to love others, even on days they offer nothing in return.
And God can teach us to be thankful on days our stepchildren offer love and laughter too – because those are the days that keep us going.
I applaud my sister, Jan, for continuing a stepmother road that has not been easy. The good and the bad – it’s all part of the stepparenting journey. But blessings abound for those who persevere. Love ya sis!
“Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:4)
Do you agree? What blessings have you experienced as a stepparent? I would love to hear about them.
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Her life sounds a lot like my own. Stepparenting has stretched me in ways that I never imagined. It’s taught me to love deeper, appreciate any movement my stepchildren make toward me. And though some of the movements may appear small in nature, they’re actually very big. My husband and I have learned a lot about living a life of grace. Giving it, receiving it, and acknowledging it. Living a blended family life definitely has it’s moments, but it is so worth it.
Deb, I think we can all relate. Stepparenting definitely stretches us! Sounds like you guys are doing a great job in your blended family. Blessings to you! Gayla
Hi Deb, I can relate to your comment, especially about the rewards of a stepfamily. Congratulations! For me, being a step-Mom requires a consistent, intentional effort to build healthy relationships with my step kids, especially on those hard days when it doesn’t come easy. My husband and his kids have seen me through good days and bad days as a step Mom, and they know I will never quit. Stay encouraged, this journey is worth every step!