Being A Stepmom

Link to article in NYT  here             via Chloe Caldwell

I have practiced Family Law for many years, and have handled many, many post divorce parenting disputes.  Step-parents are always involved in these disputes, and are often alleged as part of whatever "problem" is at hand.  For some unfortunate reason, the "evil stepmother cliche" described in Chloe Caldwell's article lives on in the Family Law arena.  That's why I felt this article as a fresh breeze.  This article shows that a divorced family that includes stepparents can be a bonus to children and parents alike.  More parents equal more resources for children of divorced parents: emotional support; child care; homework help; driving. 

All of that benefit for the kids depends, of course, on how well the divorced parents and stepparents respect each other's roles.  When competition and distrust present themselves, the children suffer, and I get hired.   Now, I am not minimizing parents' legitimate post-divorce parenting concerns.  Children are the most important thing in our lives, and we must never stop protecting their interests.  Sometimes, though, a new perspective on the problem can let us see a new solution. 





















https://parenting.nytimes.com/relationships/stepmom?module=ptg-onsite-share&type=link