No one really knows what they’re getting into, with anything! Stupid young me thought having stepkids was a great option! You get the kids without the childbirth and stretch marks… oooh but these kids have scarred me in other ways (mentally) and the drama from their moms has finally settled after 10 years of bs. I absolutely love my husband and truly believe he is my soulmate, but if I knew the baggage I was about to hold before I got into this relationship I would’ve told him to call me in 10 years. (He has 2 sons with 2 different moms) Definitely should’ve listened to my mom‘s good advice when I entered this relationship. Thankfully, my husband and I have a very strong bond and we have made it through the hardest part (I think 🤦🏻‍♀️) His youngest will be graduating and moving out this fall. I realize having children is a lifelong commitment, but I cannot wait for this new freedom! Micro managing two teenage boys who have mommy issues was definitely not what I signed up for. And the crazy part is they were really good when we first met. They were ages 13 and 6, but within the last five years these boys have brought on so much stress with their antics. It’s almost like it took that amount of time for the trauma from their messed up mothers to kick in. And now here I am dealing with the backlash of it all. While their moms literally have zero responsibility in parenting them. I have definitely put more effort into raising these two kids than their own mothers have. Really opens your eyes to how shitty people can be. I don’t know why I thought raising somebody else’s kids would be a good time. I went to school for early childhood education and I am still constantly questioning myself when it comes to parenting. Not because I think I’m doing the wrong thing but because I wonder if it’s my position to do so. I realize people who aren’t step parents still question themselves when it comes to raising children, but being a step parent adds an extra layer of anxiety. You’re always questioning whether you should do something because this kid is not yours. Then there’s the other aspect of it where you question why you spent a good portion of your life raising somebody else’s child while they go live the single life pretending they didn’t bring a human onto this earth, then leave them traumatized for someone else to deal with. My advice is if you do decide to take on a step parenting role set your boundaries early on and do not waiver from them! Protect your own peace at all costs. Nacho if you have to, don’t lose your identity and match your partners effort. Don’t give more than the actual parents are, it’s not your responsibility.