I’ve done a lot of hard things. I’ve run a marathon (well, technically a ‘fun run’ but it did require running shorts, running and sweat so I stand firm on ‘marathon’); I’ve given up sugar (not gonna lie – worst 2 hours of my life) and I’ve travelled (‘Middle East, solo, broke with a backpack’ travelled, not ‘may I take your bags Madam? The lift to the 34th floor is just past the atrium’ travelled).
Being a step-parent is up there with the hardest. My stepchildren are adults now and even though the fog has cleared, I still claim that it’s one of the most difficult things I’ve done.
From the outset, there are things about a stepfamily that would likely hint at trouble if they happened in a biological family:
- Another person (the other biological parent) has a hand in some of the big decisions that affect your family – the way the kids are raised (which will always have an impact on your home), weekends, holidays, family rituals, rules. Though you will have a say, there’s a third person who is invested and who will potentially want to be heard.
- The alliance between the parent and child in a biological family is potentially stronger (understandably) than the couple. In a biological family, both parents have an equal say and big decisions are made by the couple. In a stepfamily, matters to do with the child will often be between the biological parents, or the biological parent and child. Potentially, the step-parent will have less influence in decisions that impact the family and the individuals in it.
- The step-parent is an outsider. There are years of shared history, memories, connection and experiences between members of the biological family that the step-parent will never be a part of. Of course, there is great potential for the stepfamily to grow into something new and wonderful, but first there will be a bit of compromise.
Being the second wife/husband/important person does have benefits, the main one of which is that your partner already has a realistic idea of the work that’s required to make a marriage work. There are no illusions the second time around in relation to the marriage, though there may be a few in relation to the family.
The good news is that there are things that can be done to smooth the bumps along the way, even if you can’t completely disappear them:
-
Let go of the fantasy.
It sounds simple enough (it’s not) but it could be the difference between your relationship working or not. That’s not overstating it. It really is that important.
An abundance of research has confirmed that unhappiness is caused by the distance between expectations and reality. It’s not so much the situation that causes distress but that the situation is different to what’s expected.
In a stepfamily, everyone comes with their own fantasy. It’s completely normal and inevitable – but if you hang on to the fantasy too tightly, it could very well fall you. Most couples come into a stepfamily thinking that the family will immediately gel, the relationships will be tight, everyone will feel the love and the family will be a happy one. But it really doesn’t work like that.
In a biological family, there would be problems if there was no expectation that you will love your children, they’ll love you back and all will be close. In a stepfamily though, these fantasies set up the potential for profound disappointment. Why? Because all family members come with their own fantasy, some of which are completely incompatible.
Patricia Papernow is a leader in the field of stepfamilies. Her book, Being a Stepfamily, is the best I’ve read. (Just in case you were wondering, this is not an affiliate link – I just love the book. It was a game-changer for me in my own experience as a step-parent.) She identified the following fantasies which are typical in a stepfamily:
• Step-parent: ‘We’ll be one big happy family. The kids will love me. I’ll love them back. My relationship will be solid. I can’t wait for us all to be a family.’
• Biological Parent: ‘My partner will love the kids as much as I do and the kids will love him/her back. The kids will be so grateful for everything he/she gives this family. I just can’t wait to show everyone how happy we can be as a family.’
• The kids: ‘It’s only a matter of time before mum and dad get back together. They actually love each other a lot and as soon as they realise that we can be a family again.’
Letting go of the fantasy allows for greater acceptance of the reality, more respect for what ‘is’ and more of the flexibility that’s needed to get to wherever you’re going as a family. A stepfamily can be as happy and successful as any other, but it will be different. It’s important to let go of the fantasy gently though, because your imaginings of what things would be like would have been a big part of the reason you decided to do this. And don’t worry, let go of the fantasy and reality will see to it that eventually, something at least as good will take its place.
-
See the rough patches for what they are – a progression not a fall.
There are going to be rough patches and that’s okay. Accept them as a sign of progress towards a new kind of family – one with you in it. Your experience of the stepfamily might be different to what you expected but it doesn’t mean a happy ending isn’t coming.
It’s likely that at some point you will feel like an outsider, as well as jealous, lonely, resentful, confused and inadequate. You’ll probably experience hostility, indifference or rejection from your stepkids and more than likely you’ll fight with your partner more than you expected. This is normal. Accept it, let it unfold and most importantly don’t take it personally, though I know that’s easier said than done.
It feels like a shakeup, and it is, but it’s all part of the adjustment the family has to go through to get to something better. The family is recalibrating and changing shape to make way for you. That sort of adjustment was never going to be easy. Sometimes things have to fall apart a little so they can come back together in a different way. See the rough patches for what they are – a remaking, a realignment, a progression towards something new, rather than a threat.
-
Understand and respond to the loyalty bind.
It’s normal for children to worry that their acceptance of a step-parent might betray their biological parent. They might worry that if they like you, accept you or love you, their biological parent will be hurt or angry. This may increase their need to show loyalty to the biological parent by rejecting you or being hostile to you to ‘prove’ their love and loyalty to their parent.
If you suspect a loyalty bind might be at play, see it for what it is and don’t take it personally. Let your stepchild know that you aren’t trying to replace his or her biological parent and that you know nobody could ever do that. Let them know it’s okay to feel as they do and that you will work through it together.
Next, gently put the idea out there that they can care about you and love their other parent at the same time. Acknowledge that you know that their relationship with their biological parent will always be special and different to anything else. Let them know you would like to try to have a relationship that is good for both you and the child, and that you’ll follow their lead as to what that looks like.
-
When your stepchild is ready, work on creating a new relationship.
Don’t try to replicate the relationship your child has with their biological parent. This runs the risk of inflaming the loyalty bind but it also takes away the opportunity for you to create something new. You have qualities, wisdom and experience that will be different to those of the other adults in the child’s life. It may take a while for your stepchild to appreciate that, but be patient. Find new things to share that are different to what the child has with his or her biological parent.
-
Decide on what’s important. And let the rest go.
There will be plenty to argue about. The fact that a stepfamily is in the making means that nobody’s story has ended the way they thought it would. Nobody goes into marriage anticipating divorce and children don’t look forward to the day their parents live in separate houses. There’s a lot going on – broken hearts, endings and angry people. People won’t always be on their best behaviour.
Decide on the things that are important to you and let the rest go. Push gently for the change that needs to happen but at the same time, respect the rest of the family’s need for stability.
The balance will get precarious at times but it’s an important part of getting to where you need to be. You won’t be able to function as a new family until differences are worked through and people have enough of what they need to not feel compromised. Without a doubt, your new family can be phenomenal but it will take time.
-
Appreciate the small stuff.
Understand that it may be difficult for your stepchild to accept you or show affection for so many reasons, none of which will have anything to do with how they feel about you. The upheaval, their own grief, and loyalty binds all make for shaky ground. Appreciate the small moments of contact. It’s easy to overlook them but when they happen, know that it’s big.
-
Respect that it will take time.
In her extensive work, Papernow has found that stepfamilies take about 7-12 years to adjust and to exist as a healthy, well-functioning system. Quicker families might do it in four but some families never really get there. I wonder how much of the time frame has to do with the stepchildren reaching independence and establishing a relationship with their step-parents as adults, rather than children.
-
Be open to letting go.
Be open to the possibility that you may never be close to all or any of your stepchildren. One may have less need for another adult in their lives or may feel the conflict of a loyalty bind more than the others. You might also just be too different from each other to make it work. The most important thing is that when they are younger, you are committed to making it work, but that doesn’t mean it will work out as planned. There is enormous grace and courage in being able to let go, which is different to giving up.
All stepfamilies are different but they share common vulnerabilities. They can be as rich, warm, loving and wonderful as any other family. No family is smooth sailing all the time but the dynamics of a stepfamily present challenges at the start that are unique. Within that is the potential to rise to the challenge and come out with something extraordinary.
I am having a hard time myself. I have a 14 y/o stepson and have been in his life since he was 7. We used to have him on vacactions and 6 weeks of summer vacation because he lived out of state. He moved back two years ago so we have him once a week and every other weekend. My problem is that he is never more than 3 feet from my husband the entire time he’s with us. When he talks it’s only to his father. Dinner used to be awful as only the two of them would have a conversation directed by my stepson while my bio son and I sat in silence. My husband and i have a 4 year old together and my stepson wants nothing to do with him despite encouraging him and letting him know how much his brother loves him. When he’s with us, I feel really lonely because my husband spends all of his time with my stepson and he is constantly like “Dad…Dad…Dad…” all day long. These weekends that he is with us are the only weekends my husband is home from work as he works away from home 1/2 of the month. My husband won’t go on date nights on the nights he is with us. I just feel separate.
I understand the difficulty you’re having, but it’s important to see this through your stepson’s eyes. He would likely consider that you have his dad all the time (even though that’s not the case), but he only has him on a limited basis. It’s likely that he misses his dad when he isn’t with him, and it is completely understandable that he wants to be close to him. This isn’t personal – I understand it feels person, but it isn’t. It’s about your stepson wanting to feel close and secure with his dad. If you can, try to see it as that. This won’t last forever. Your stepson is moving through adolescence, and when he moves closer to adulthood, he will be experimenting more with his own independence. Of course he will still need his father, and he will still want to spend time with him, but as time goes on, you will feel less excluded. Be patient, and don’t take it personally.
I do not have any children of my own and I have been with my boyfriend for 4 years. We have lived together since the beginning since we were friends for many years before. He has a 10 year old girl- I met her when she was about 3. Me and her always got along just great! we played, had fun, etc..but for some reason I cannot seem to stand her now. I have nothing in common with her any longer- she is a great kid and is not spoiled or anything of that matter, but she is just not a kid I would hang out with or like if I met her. She is very immature for her age. I am in a living HELL right now because every time she is here, one weekend on and off, I change my personality. I am always observing and watching my man to make sure he still “loves” me when she is around, if he offers me food when he offers her food…etc. I am very aware how much of an IDIOT I sound like, believe me, and I have really tried to shake this feeling off, but I have not been able to do so and it has gotten to the point of me HATING the weekends she comes over and counting the seconds until it is over.
How on earth can I let go and get rid of this horrible and disgusting jealousy and feelings of being an outsider all of the time when my man actually supports me and does all he can for me? We just had a discussion and he told me: “I cannot help you if you will not let me”. ouch. OUCH.
I need someone that actually understands me to give me some advice, someone that has gone through this!
A few years ago I meet my now husband through my then boyfriend. He was married at the time and so an affair was started. I know that he was unhappy in his marriage and he even said he was going to leave her but that was easier said than done. She was either having surgery or having a baby or they were trying to get money straight. She found out about us and put him out. Apparently this was not his first or only affair and yes I knew about the other girls. They are no longer in the picture. Her putting him out was the best thing for us. Now he was free and happy and we were able to be married. Thing is she tried to take his kids from him. At first it didn’t matter but then he started missing the kids. He had taken care of the kids while she worked –which at the time worked out well for us to see each other. When she put him out she would not allow him to take the kids anywhere. Well they are his kids too. He was only allowed to visit the kids in her home. She finally let him take the kids an evening here and there but never over night with us. Finally I told him just to keep the kids and he did. When he returned them she would not let him take the kids again. She took him to court for custody and child support after that. Before the hearing he tried to take the kids again but she prevented him and he ended up in jail for domestic violence. Because of her he now has a criminal record and the kids had to go to counseling and things got out of hand. I tried to help him get sole custody and then joint custody but she hired a lawyer which we could not afford. We got married right after the first custody hearing to show that we were serious. Then she was wanting us to pay child support and pay her bills. I believe he should support his kids but not pay her bills. To help reduce child support we had a child of our own. I have a son through a previous relationship. We are still paying a lot in child support which I don’t think is fair and we only see the kids every other weekend. She calls my husband whenever she wants, supposedly to tell him about the kids and I know he calls her when I’m at work which I’ve told him just gives her more reason not to respect me. My question though is what should I do to let her know to get over herself so that we can have a peaceful relationship for the kids’ sake. The kids are involved in different things and I go to all of them even if my husband can’t go. She doesn’t want me there and makes it known. When I am there the kids are uncomfortable and don’t want to talk to me because they are afraid it will upset her and so they don’t enjoy their events. On father’s day I wanted to go with them since my son was at his dads. She had gotten tickets to an event for him and the kids to go so we (husband and I) scrapped together money so I could go too. Apparently they had talked about it before and it was supposed to be just him and the kids on father’s day with no interference. I am not an interference. I told my husband that he is my husband now and I should be able to go. When the kids are at my house the youngest one has to call her every day and night and it gets tiring. She needs to let her know that she can’t just call her whenever but the court papers say if they want to call we have to let them. I am their stepmother and she can-not dictate what goes on in my house but she has the courts make these rules of things we can’t do with the kids. The kids have trouble sleeping at our house because of her. I put my son in the same school as hers to show support but she has made it so that I can’t pick them up from school. And now some of the other parents look at me as if I don’t belong there. It’s a small school and yes most of the parents knew her before but that doesn’t mean I can’t be there too. And now if I join a school committee that she is on she removes herself and the other parents are annoyed which is just drama. I am trying to be the peace person and include everyone but she constantly undermines me. I tell my husband to tell the judge this or that so she can see there are more people involved then just her but he gets tired of doing it and I think he just wants to let it go and let her win. So what should I do to make her respect me as their stepmother and also show her that I am not a bad person? Yes I made a mistake having an affair but I am a godly person and I have a right to be in those kids lives and do things with them and she needs to get over herself because it’s not all about her.
I would suggest stepping back and letting your husband and his ex-wife get on with the job of raising their children. It sounds as though your involvement in their parenting isn’t helping anything at all. It’s completely understandable that she wants that time with her children without you there. If being at their sporting events makes her and the children uncomfortable, it sounds as though there isn’t a lot of good that can come from you being there. Be sensitive to that.
Your time with the children can happen when they are with you and their father. In the same way she doesn’t come to your family events when you have the children, it is understandable that she doesn’t want you there when she is with the children. Of course it is different with their father, because he’s their father, but as a step-parent, it’s important to respect the boundaries of the biological parents and the children first. Similarly with father’s day, that is a day for the children and their father and if they made it clear they just wanted to spend time with their father, there is nothing wrong with that. They deserve time with him, and need time with him, without you. Would you be okay with the children and your husband’s ex-wife coming on your anniversary dinner?
One of the toughest parts of being a stepparent is that you are not part of the biological family. There is a history and relationships that happened before you, and that will continue after you. Yes, your husband is your husband, but he is their father first. Your involvement in their lives can grow, and hopefully the time will come where you have an important and loved place in their lives, but for this to happen, it has to be on their terms and when they’re ready. They are trying to get used to a new normal, and they have every right to do this in their own time. If that means you need to step back sometimes, it’s important that you do that for their sake and also for the sake of your relationship with them.
You might be their stepmother, but she is their mother and she has every right to a say in the way her children are treated and what happens to them whether they are in her house, your house or anybody else’s house. This will take negotiation and compromise and the best way to make that happen is to stop pushing against her and expecting that she ‘get over herself’. If she doesn’t want to be in the places you are, she doesn’t have to be. Give her the space she deserves. You had an affair with her husband. While it is not for anyone else to judge you for that, she has ever right to. It is completely insensitive to expect her to be okay with you putting yourself in her space, such as committes etc. Some sensitivity on your part would help things enormously.
Hi Karen. I have recently started a relationship with a woman and imedialty fell in love with her. I have two girls. And she has a 13 year for of girl and a 3 year old boy. I absolutely love her older child. But I don’t agree with the way she is raising her 3 year old son. I know it’s not my place to tell her how to parent but sometimes it just eats at me like nails on a chalk board. Even her older child will tell her not to give into him all the time. He is really just spoiled. Is it my place to kinda step up n or just back away and deal with it
If you want to share your observations, just go very gently and keep it to factual observations that aren’t open to interpretation. ‘I notice when you … he … ‘, or something like that. It will be important to come across as non-judgemental. The more people feel judged, the more likely it is that they will defend their behaviour rather than open up to what they might do differently. Your comments might still be taken personally of course, but your best chance is to be loving and supportive at the same time as you share your observations.
I’vebeen with my husband for almost 7 years.he was a single father of 3 boys when I met him and we now have one of our own… We lived with them 4. One of them is already 14 and my husband always criticize my way of correcting him or them. I’m always being in charge of school matters, javing them do chores or keep their rooms clean. My husband is very laod back and never gets involved in terms of discipline. He is always playinh videogames but NEVER ask them to do anything around the house. This year, the 11 yrs old one almost failed the year because I wasn’t on top of it, so I’ve became more strict with them, however, my husband is not even concern about their grades or anything but he feels like critizing the way that I am handling the situation. I thought just letting them do whatever they want if he’s treating me like I amnot their mom, but I can’t help it, I do feel they are my kids and It’s my responsibility to make them better people. I have tried explaining this to my hunsband but it always ends up in a fight… Please help!!
Your children are very lucky to have you. To some extent, there may be a need to accept that you and your husband have very different ideas of parenting. The conversation may need to be more around figuring out together how you can be more accepting of each other’s styles, rather than trying to change each other.
Thank you very much for your response. It may seem simple but it means a lot in my current situation and having a third party’s point of view sometimes is enough to realize the simplest solutions. Have a great day
Just moved interstate and starting out with a new realationship.
First few weeks seemed ok however I was very busy with work.
Now on holidays back in at my house with the children 16 and 10 I feel as if they would prefer me out of their life and have their mum back all to themselves.
My husband was soooo excited about his daughter coming her for Christmas. WE both scrapped and saved to buy her $1500 ticket for her to come stay the holiday season with us here in the United states from Germany and the last few days have been really tough on me.
This 15 year old kid speaks English; but refuses to. Refuses to acknowledge my existence. Anytime I speak or ask her a question she responds as if she thinks with the most stank attitude I’ve ever received. My poor 15 year old is trying her hardest to ask her questions, make her feel welcome and my stepdaughter only speaks to her in “yes” “no” responses.
I told my husband the kid acts as if she’d like us to disappear so that she can have him to herself. She only speaks in complete sentences when he’s there. She only eats or drinks if he offers it to her.
Honestly, I love my husband; but to me he cultivates it…. he allows her to isolate her self. He allows her to only say good night , good morning, thank you… to HIM directly.
How do I start this conversation with him with out sounding like I hate this child?
You are right. Her behavior is wrong and I am certain she is doing this on purpose. Just like you feel her vibes towards you. However, maybe she is going through her own little battle in her head. Did you ever ask her directly. She is 15 and should be able to express her feelings. Maybe a girls night out. Anywhere she could open up. You and her. Or maybe she is just a unpleasant personality…I really understand how you feel. Uuurrghh I know how you feel 🙂 ..also looking for answers here. Wishing you strength and courage and that resentment will not take a hold of us 🙂 good luck
Hi Karen,
Great article. Thank you for being so thorough with your advice. Do you have any thoughts or advice on a biological parent not accepting the new step-parent as a step-parent? And telling their children that their ex-spouses partner isn’t their step-parent?
If the ex-spouse isn’t open to a conversation, speak with the children about what a step-parent is. Let them know it doesn’t matter in the end what that person is called, but what they do and what they mean to the children. It will be helpful for the biological parent and the new partner (the step-parent) to chat about this first to get things clear. Will the step-parent be a part of the family? How will they be there for the children? What will their relationship with the children look like? How are they different to a non-step-parent? How is the stepdad/stepmum different to the biological parent? What will the children’s relationship with the stepparent look like? Also ask the children what they would like from the relationship. This might be difficult for them to answer, but it can be helpful to let them see that they can also influence their relationship with their stepparent, if that influence is not intended to do harm.
Hi there. I’m a stepmother of two children girl (15 almost 16) boy 14.5yrs old. I’ve been married to their father for 6.5years but together for almost 10. I came along when the kids were 4 and 6… I had nothing to do with the parents separation which occurred 2.5/3 years prior. It has been a struggle and to this day still is.
I do not bear any of my own children at this time… Has been a struggle. We’ve had the children week on week off over the years. With the exception of the girl staying full time at her mothers for the past – almost 2 years. It has been a journey… At the beginning it was great. (I’m very much a kid person I tend to love them and things are usually reciprocal). Things started going downhill when the girl was 9.5 years old. Her father an I decided to get married. Since then we have been through counsellors. A full year living apart- separated. Infidelity and struggles with the bio mom ( there has never been a full fledge war but we despise eachother). Weve have lawyer/court involvement, CAS involvent, all over the years. My husband and I decided to come back together 2 years ago (obvious reason for stepdaughter to choose to leave). Out of the two children my relationship with the girl has struggled the most. At this point in time I will not be alone with her as to fear of her spreading lies about me – I work in a job that upholds standards.. I could loose my job if the perfect lie told. My stepdaughter tends to lie about many things… Not just me. But it has been fully recognized that she hates me. I’ve tried dozens of times over the years trusting in the good mements only to be let down soon after. I definitely have my gaurs up but am pleasant and respectful if she is around. With my stepson I feel he had been scheming with his sister and mother in his younger years. As he’s gotten older he seems to think more on his own. But I do see him in a loyalty bind very frequently that causes him to close up, she me disrespect and causes me headache and feeling deffensive. We’ve never spoken ill about the bio mom in front of the children. (My hubby and I have discussed alone). I’ve even been supportive of the mother ensuring the kids call for Mother’s Day or her birthday if they happen to be with us, I ensure they’ve thought of her for Christmas etc. I’m by no means perfect. When my feelings get hurt I can be distant. I can retreat on my own. I’ve explained feelings of frustration,feeling unheard, misunderstood, having no say, disheartened, used, disrespected, unloved, an outsider so on and so forth. It’s a real struggle that at times I wonder if I could run away from.. Then knowing I can fight this struggle and overcome the grief. There is at times tension in our home ….arguments/resentment between my husband and I (95% to do with kids/ex).
I listen to others stories and often wonder if I’m alone at this….if there is something wrong with me.
#10yearsinnotalwayshappyhappyjoyjoy
I feel the same as you. Our blended family is that of younger children, none that out right hate or resent me. But I believe the mother has her hand in changing that, as recently she refuses to let the children come here (they have 3-4 days every week for the past 3 years. We announce our wedding date, and all of a sudden, we aren’t fit parents and aren’t allowed to have the kids) I hate their mother. Hate. She is evil. Manipulative. Controlling. She lies and uses the children to her advantage. She controls my future husband and simply doesn’t respect any normal boundaries. The strain is getting to be unbareable. I feel alone. I feel at fault for trying to help raise kids that I should have known I’d never have an equal part in. I just want to give up. If I left, she’d give him back his kids, and I wouldn’t have to deal with the constant death grip she has on our lives and relationship. The only advice I have is, if you love them, keep trying. It’s poor advice, I know. It doesn’t much help in all the bad times. But it’s the only thing I keep hanging on to, that if I try harder today than i did yesterday, to love him, love the kids, that eventually that Love will prevail over the bullshit.
Laney,
Thank you so much for sharing your story… It can be a very lonely world. Knowing others have struggled goes a long way in feeling supported!!! ?
Hi Karen,
Thanks for nice article and great advice. I’m a divorced father of three (7, 5, and 5). I recently got engaged to be married to my girlfriend of approximately 2 years. She has meet my kids many times and they all really enjoy her company and talk about her all the time when we’re together. The trouble is that it feels like she goes out of her way to avoid spending time with my children, scheduling business meetings on weeknights and trips to her ski house or to play golf on the weekends. I don’t have the expectation that she be a “mother” to my kids or fulfill any of my parenting responsibilities, but is it too much to ask that she make an effort to spend more time with my kids despite her love for her hobbies and busy work schedule? Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you.
Jay this is an important conversation to have with your partner. As a stepmother myself, I can say that there are many reasons she may be doing this – all of which are okay, but just need to be talked through. One of the things that can happen in stepfamilies is that there can be a strong sense of ‘not belonging’ for the stepparent. You and your children have rituals and ways of relating that have been there from the beginning. You have memories and shared experiences that she isn’t a part of. This can be really difficult for a step-parent, regardless of how much love that stepparent has for the children. Remember you have had many years of shared experiences, love and bonding with your children, but your partner hasn’t. Of course, there may be other things going on, such as she might feel a great need to give you space with your children without her. None of these signal dysfunction or anything to worry about. It can be difficult as a biological parent to understand why the person you love doesn’t want to spend time with your children, but there are so many reasons for this. It takes time for a stepfamily to blend. Have the conversation with her and make it safe for her to speak openly and honestly about what’s happening for her. Whatever she says is okay and is unlikely to be any reflection on her commitment to you and your children. Good things take time.
I love what you have said and have been looking to find people who have gone through a similar situation. So I’m lost. I met my partner(interracial dating) whilst dating someone else last year, i broke up with my then boyfriend. This man is amazing so, we eventually decided to move in together after a few months. He mentioned he lives with mom and 6 year old daughter. I was initially fine with that as his mom only stayed with us for a month until she had to go back for the visa, this was going to give us time to develop relations as a “new family.” Trouble is his mom came back after a short while to live with us for 3 months, it was torture, I felt I had to always compete but I shared how I felt about her trying to run our relationship doing things around the house and trying to be second mom to his daughter. I even had to stop her coming out on dates with us(so frustrating). She left again but is coming for the December holidays(house sitting most of the time and will stay with us, I find this out because I read messages, because he rarely speaks about her), I hate having to be the “sneak” its not me. Baby mamma on the other hand is pregnant again but she feels welcome to drop by the house, to enter, to message my partner at any time of the day. Her daughter said I felt like her mom, I just didn’t look like her so every so often she would call me mamma of which the bio mom found out about and messaged him to stop allowing that. I’m frustrated that I feel I have to take the backstage and mould myself around everything and when I bring these things up he brushes them away asking me what he should do. I’m so helpful like a mom but feel I have to play gf when It suits everyone except me. Help I don’t know if I’m too young for this. 27 and he’s 10 years older.
Thank you for this article. I have an amazing step daughter who has just turned 3. We only have her every second weekend but she instantly warmed to me and is just the best little girl (very aware this could change as she gets older).
I am struggling however to let go of expectations of what the perfect step family should look like, and even more so my idea of ‘the perfect family’ as I had always had in my head that I would meet a childless man. How does one let go of those expectations and mourn the loss of sharing those ‘first’ experiences with your partner (like bringing your new baby home, having their first child etc).
Lauren,
Reading your comment punched me in the gut. I’m curious if you ever found a way to gracefully let go of the loss of those “firsts”. Currently at a crossroads myself, and I’m hoping that since your comment is a few years old, maybe you have some “hindsight is 20/20” advice that you can share. 🙂
Thanks so much in advance.
I have a unique situation. I have been seeing the same guy for about 2 years. We have kind of been off and on a bit because I had a little bit of an issue with commitment due to a horrible relationship/engagement years prior. I had finally worked through my issues with commitment and was ready to settle down with him when he told he that he had had sex with a friend and she had gotten pregnant. They do not want to be together but they are going to raise the baby. Here’s the kicker…it is twins. When he told me about the baby, originally I had accepted it and said I wanted to give it all a try as long as we kept communication open and everything. A few weeks later he found out that it was twins. Now, I am terrified for many different reasons and am unsure if I can handle it. We are not married or engaged, we had just started to get into a committed relationship and then we found this out. I had a discussion with him recently about being unsure about being ready for that big responsibility and he got angry with me. What do I do? or how should I handle this. I am in love with him, and I know if we commit to this, I will love the kids. I think starting from babies would make things easier? but who knows really. I need advice.
Hello,
Thanks for the article. Any advice for me would be most welcome.
My wife and I got a house together just before we got married last year. (We’ve been together 3 years now). She has a 17 year old daughter who lives with us. My daughter is 15 and was supposed to carry on living with me half the week and the rest of the week with her mum (my ex). However, she has struggled with the change and does not come and stay with me any more. I’m heartbroken but my wife seems relieved.
On top of this, I am clearly an outsider now in my own home. My step daughter has my wife running around after her all of the time and will do nothing independently. She has no social life. She stands in between us and talks over me. She hugs her mum all of the time saying she loves her and even follows her to the toilet. My wife now refuses to show me any affection in front of her daughter because of the jealousy and I feel like I don’t exist and we do not have any time alone with each other. My step daughter and wife seem dependent on each other and really I just feel in the way. We had started going for a half an hour walk after work together so we at least had that time, but now my wife asks her daughter to come along, or my step daughter insists she does.
I have tried to raise these issues with my wife and explained how I felt and that I find it difficult that her daughter even follows us up to our bedroom and that we have no privacy. I said they had no personal boundaries and that I was struggling with this. She left me for the weekend with her daughter and said it’s me that has the problem and that there is no need for boundaries. As further punishment, they then had a weeks holiday together. Our marriage almost came to an abrupt end. All the while I’m hurting that I don’t see my own child and now get to do nothing with her or for her whilst watching my wife and step daughter behave like this. I love my wife dearly and she says she loves me, but I’m really despairing about the life I now have and don’t really know what to do next.
My partner and I have two children together. He has 2 children to another lady. About a year and a half ago we had his two children for Easter weekend. During that weekend their mother rung up and said can you keep them!
I was and still am a stay at home mum, my youngest is now 2 1/2 and eldest 5.
I have now been the main carer for my partners 2 older children for 1 1/2 years.
He leaves before they wake in morning and is home 30 mins to hour before he’s home from work.
I’m now finding it sooo depressing and hard looking after and having responsibility for his 2 kids.
I feel why am I looking after these kids when they are not even mine! Where’s their mother!!
It’s impacting on my 2 kids too, as I feel so stressed and annoyed.
its a great article, my husband only listens to his daughter. I have done everything possible to show love for his daughter. i have been the one to buy food in the house at times pay for school fees books tried to show emotional support to the his daughter but my husband will still litsen to his daughter more. I have loved his daughter but she hates me to the point she says she is happy when am sick. my house is controlled by my daughter and i have no say
This article is interesting to me. I have been with my partner for 2 1/2 years. She had two boys from her previous marriage. I have a great relationship with both boys who are now 10 and 5 years old. The father was and continues to be trouble though. My partner went through non molestation order and occupational orders granted by the court because he was abusive mentally, physically and sexually to her. Now we are at the fdr hearing in the divorce. I have been involved as a friend at the beginning and now as her new partner and the boys step father.
We now have a child of our own. This has been great… the boys love him as does my partner and I. However the boys father is continually putting pressure on the boys and lies about me and my partner. It’s mental abuse as far as I’m concerned.
The eldest boy spoke to me two weeks ago about how angry and upset he is about his mum and dad breaking up. This is not the first time he talks to me a lot as I never say a bad word regarding his father. But it is not the same when they are with him and his family.
It’s putting so much pressure on us as a family. I’m financial and emotionally supporting everyone in this as he refuses to pay. He is in the marital home because my partner had to move because of his continuous abuse after the break up. I’m having to pay for solicitors and barristers when I have my own sons christening to pay for.
I don’t really now what I’m asking here but I’m looking for some advise because I feel my partner is constantly putting the two boys ahead of our boy. She is struggling I know. I don’t want to keep thinking “well if you are going to be like that, I’ll stop paying for everything and start putting my boy before yours” this I haven’t and dont want to do because it’s not their fault.
There is to much history to explain all on here, but please help?
I am a stepmother of two.when I met my husband we were together for a year was not married after are first year together he was frightin for his two kids 11 and 7 their mother had died of cancer and wanted her mother to have them we went through a hard year I did working trying to get two rooms ready for kids I have one daught and three grandkids and trying to keep him cam we fright for a year he got is kids we won the cause and a year after that we got married I was with my husband four years befour we got married the kids came and lived with use and did really good but it was everyone else bring up the mother that died all the time my husband said to me the kids have took to you so good they would tell me good night every night tell me they love me.they went to the other family on every other weekend and the grand ma would take them to see their moms grave I did not think it was a good I’d ale but who was I to have any say so when I would do things around housee is son would always say my mommy used to to do that they are really good kids but kids will be kids but my husband wants to teach them his way and me two stay out of it it is hard because somethings you do is right and something you should not do and say I no they miss their mom and they are the ones that are doing with out her and living with their dad when they were used to living with her we have been through a lot and now living apart it is hard cause I got used to living with them and we did have a bound
This article is a good read. I’m a stepmom and have been in it 8 years. It has been so hard having a blended family. My stepdaughter barely talks to me and only wants to spend time with her dad. I have gone out of my way to take her to her sports, give money for clothes, her own room and help out whenever her dad needs me to. I even pick her up from school a lot as we have shared custody. However her mother calls multiple times a day and if SD does not answer she gets angry and starts screaming at her. We could be having dinner, at a movie, at the opera, it doesn’t matter. If she does not answer her moms multiple calls she will be grounded, lose her phone and have to deal with her psycho mom at home. Her mom even calls SD and if weather is snowing or anything tells her it is not safe to be out and that I need to take her home. That is why I think that we have not bonded very well. Her mom obviously does not want us to. Not to mention she barely hugs me, kind of a half shoulder hug and will sit in complete silence. I try to talk to her and she gives me one word answers. I feel uncomfortable in my home. I know why she acts this way as she feels that she is betraying her mom and wants her parents to get back together. I just wish she could be happy, so that our family could be happy.
Thanks for this article. It’s always helpful to read of others’ experiences. I’m in a queer/LGBTQ relationship with my awesome partner and her two sons, who we have every other week. They are 15 and 13 and I’ve known them since they were 11 and 9. We all live together and actually all get along well. I’m not having the typical step parent issues, but I’m still not particularly enjoying my role as a parent. It is truly a thankless job, involves lots of conflict, rule-setting, rule-breaking, constantly having to negotiate and lay down consequences, then follow through with those. I just don’t feel like I get the inherent satisfaction that my partner does with the kids. It is so much work and I often just feel dread when they are about to come over. Ugh.
Dear Karen,
I enjoyed your article very much. There are so many relevant points which provide excellent food for thought and wisdom to those who are faced with these difficult blended-family situations and challenges.
I met my husband 23 years ago. We were both business professionals which was key in creating our strong bond. He had two daughters, 11 and 9 years old. I really didn’t mind. I was young and naive, and early on, so willing, even excited and enthusiastic, about becoming a stepmother of such beautiful, clever girls. I wanted my two step-daughters to love me. However, throughout their adolescence and early adulthood, I realized that this was a total fantasy. They were mean. They were brats. Year after year, I was continually snubbed, ignored, and made to feel invisible, even subjected to ridicule and mocking. However, I never said a word to them or their Dad. I dutifully prepared meals, cleaned up messes, and made sure their basic needs were met. Their Dad, who I feel has been at the core of the problem all along, enabled them completely.
Over these many years, I have wasted so much time and energy fretting about my relationship with them. No matter what I did, they had a strange power over me which was mentally and physically debilitating. With a lot of personal work and self-searching, it has taken me over 20 years to make a breakthrough.
Today, his daughters are all grown up, married and have children of their own. In total, we have 6 grandchildren. I send birthday cards to everyone and encourage Granddad to be part of their lives.
It is only recently that my step-daughters have lost their power over me. Part of it is my own aging and maturation. In addition, I have adopted a motto of being “KWAP”… i.e., “Kind, WArm and Polite.” Otherwise, nothing else is expected of me.
They are busy with their own lives and families now, so I play only a supportive role, frankly, which I should have realized from the start was my role all along.
Dear Karen,
I enjoyed your article very much. There are so many relevant points which provide excellent food for thought and wisdom to those who are faced with these difficult blended-family situations and challenges.
I met my husband 23 years ago. We were both business professionals which was key in creating our strong bond. He had two daughters, 11 and 9 years old. I really didn’t mind. I was young and naive, and early on, so willing, even excited and enthusiastic, about becoming a stepmother of such beautiful, clever girls. I wanted my two step-daughters to love me. However, throughout their adolescence and early adulthood, I realized that this was a total fantasy. They were mean. They were brats. Year after year, I was continually snubbed, ignored, and made to feel invisible, even subjected to ridicule and mocking. However, I never said a word to them or their Dad. I dutifully prepared meals, cleaned up messes, and made sure their basic needs were met. Their Dad, which I feel has been at the core of the problem all along, enabled them completely.
Over these many years, I have wasted so much time and energy fretting about my relationship with them. No matter what I did, they had a strange power over me which was mentally and physically debilitating. With a lot of personal work and self-searching, it has taken me over 20 years to make a physiological breakthrough.
Today, his daughters are all grown up, married and have children of their own. In total, we have 6 grandchildren. I send birthday cards to everyone and encourage Granddad to be part of their lives.
It is only recently that my step-daughters have lost their power over me. Part of it is my own aging and maturation. In addition, I have adopted a motto of being “KWAP”… i.e., “Kind, WArm and Polite.” Otherwise, nothing else is expected of me.
They are busy with their own lives and families now, so I play only a supportive role, frankly, which I should have realized from the start was my role all along.
I have been living with my boyfriend now for almost 10 months, we have “known” each other for 5 years because we used to be neighbors. He then bought a home in November of last year. He has 3 daughters (19, 16, 12) and I have a son (13). His oldest is in college now so she comes home during her school breaks. The other two go back and forth between our home and their moms. They share custody, so every other week they are here with us. My son is here with us full time. The oldest is respectful, and the youngest daughter and I get along great. My son gets along also with my boyfriend.
The major problem has been the 16 year old daughter., who’s very much like her father. She seems very defensive, and hasn’t let me in at all. I have tried to be pleasant, to be cordial, I have even taken her to swim practice, I buy food for her that she likes, I bought her a birthday card, etc. I have tried to start conversations but she puts up a wall of defense. She can be very rude at times, and at times she pretty much ignores me even when I say hi to her.
She was also very disrespectful to one of my cousins who stayed with us for a few days this summer.
Her father has talked to her but nothing seems to work.
She doesn’t have a great relationship with her biological mother. Her mom has never gone to any of her swim meets. So she’s extremely close to her father.
My boyfriend and I love each other and want to be together. We have already spoken about getting married. I recently met my boyfriend’s mom, who adores me and thinks I am the best thing that has happened to her son.
Please help! I don’t know what else to to…
Great article! I’m in a situation where I’ve been with my boyfriend for almost a year he has a 12 and 16 year both boys and I have a 5 and 6 year old both boys too. We were going to all live in together and a few months ago his boys were excited but last minute his 12 year old told his dad he wasn’t ready so we aren’t moving in but I feel that his dad should have talk with him more as now I feel we don’t do any activities together since the news about 3 weeks ago. I feel like my BF is pulling back because of his sons feelings. He’s been divorced from his mom for about 7 years I just don’t know what else I can do then be patient but I feel my BF is noting telling me all his son feels and may end our relationship because of his sons as he has pretty much sole custody so they are always with dad and busy with sports, ect.
Hi there, thank you so much for this very helpful and insightful article. I’m hoping you can advise on my situation please. I have a SS who is 3 and I have been with his father since he was nearly 2. I have a 3 yo daughter who my partner has adopted (not legally) as his own since she has no contact with her bio father. My SS lives almost 100 miles away and we see him every week. Shortly after I met my SS I fell pregnant, and during these 9 months as my partner worked so many hours I offered to pick up my SS each week whilst my partner worked in order to see my partner more outside of work and so that he was not driving after a 10 hr shift. The problem was I suffered a lot more with my second pregnancy and found the driving very stressful and tiring…I didn’t want to tell my partner as I knew how much seeing him so often meant to him. He was always grateful. His ex on the other hand helped in no way at all, no driving. Would ask my to pick him up at certain times to suit, and ask us to have him longer than agreed some weeks meaning I had him whilst my partner worked. I also because I am self enployed was expected to move my jobs to suit my partner and his ex. Anyway to cut a long story short, I struggled with all of the driving and SS behaviour became very challenging to say the least. I wasn’t physically able to pick him off the floor of every supermarket when he refused to get up, nor put his very easy velcro shoes on so heavily pregnant. It was clear at the point he had had very little discipline up to yet, from either bio parent. This was affecting how my daughter behaved. The attention, good or bad was mainly on my SS. I felt bitter, I still do. We drive 10 hours a week, spend a lot of money (which of course is not SS fault at all nor should he feel that) yet he constantly refuses to do things asked of him, throws tantrums and gets angry. He can be spiteful and unkind to my daughter who generally waits all week to have his company. Don’t get me wrong, she has her moments too and I am firm with her but her reactions are not extreme like with my SS. I’ve parented her differently. I love him, and just want to have a loving bond towards him but everything he does at the moment seems to grate on me and make me not want him here. I never want to upset my partner as he’s taken my little girl on and now their bond is flourishing. I just wish mine and my SS’s could too. P.S. he is also upsetting my partner too with his lack of wanting to enjoy anything, lashing out and general disrespect but the love is obviously built in for them) Help : ( I feel like an awful human being.
It sounds as though you are working so hard to be a wonderful presence in your stepson’s life. His behaviour doesn’t sound too unusual for a 3 year old. He’s at an age where he trying to experiment with his independence and this will mean tantrums and limit-testing. Add to this the big changes that your stepson has experienced in the last little while, and his behaviour becomes really understandable. Even if he adores you and your daughter, the changes to his family and his routine are massive. At such a young age, it might take a little while for him to make sense of this, and as frustrating and as difficult as this can be to deal with, it’s something that will take patience and time. Keep doing what you’re doing – it sounds as though you are a strong, steady presence in his life, which is exactly what he needs. Here is an article that might help in th meantime https://www.heysigmund.com/empathetic-listening/
Hi there, thank you very much for this article. It has really helped me feel less like a crazy person and more hopeful that there may be a light at the end of the tunnel after all. There is my situation..
I am 34 years old and in a same sex relationship. my fiancé is 17 years my senior with an ex wife of 10 years (18 years together) and two boys, who just turned 8 and 11. I have been with my partner since they were 4 and 7 and it has been wonderful, adventurous, incredibly rewarding at times and lately extremely stressful.
When we first got together the kids and I bonded beautifully…I was respectful of their one on one “mom time” and extremely patient, as I too am from a divorced family and LOVE my step father. Once I moved in I made sure to hang pictures of the ex all over their rooms and we always spoke amicably at games in front of the boys, even when times were rough…My partner and I often discussed marriage and babies of our own and she seemed incredibly happy, appreciative and exited for our future. I waited,…and waited….
We got together before they were officially divorced and I essentially was in the middle of a very nasty financial battle. And while they fought, I did bath time, story time, threw the ball,..made their bedrooms comfy. And none of this seems to matter. Of course Im biased, but the ex wanted everything and pretty much got it. Now she doesn’t work, and we have the kids half the time and my ex is resentful, angry and exhausted due to the absurd child support payment…
Now I am 35 and we’ve had some serious blow outs over the ex calling every day, multiple times a day, all hours of the night over a pencil at times and there are NO boundaries between them. I am trying to get pregnant now with seemingly very little enthusiasm from my partner and I feel helpless, resentful, angry and alone. My partner pretends to be excited but deep down I think she is terrified and tired.
The biggest issue Im having is that my resentfulness has now affected my relationship with my step sons, whom I truly love. Every month that Im not pregnant and my partner seems indifferent I find myself less excited when we pick up HER kids. When she discusses when they were small and the way she and her ex did this or that with them I find myself wanting to break glass. (I dont do this, of course, but excuse myself and cry in private.)
I dont want to be jealous of her boys…they are innocent. But we are living in her house she shared with her ex and she made it clear we are in no financial position to move (which we are) and Im so angry at everyone including myself. I feel I have nothing of my own.
The reality is, we are in counseling and my partner has apologized for everything and promises to be more supportive of our family but I can’t seem to forgive her or embrace the kids like I used to. How do I let my resentment go and move forward? I don’t want to lose them….
Linsay what you are feeling is completely understandable! Resentment often comes from fear or an important need that is going unmet. The problem with resentment is that even if it is very valid, it tends to a wasted, painful emotion that makes it more difficult to do what you need to do to get your need met, or to find calm. What is it that you need or what that you aren’t getting? What’s getting in the way? When you get a greater sense of this, it will hopefully be easier to move forward. It sounds as though you have a loving husband and wonderful boys. Your role in the lives of the boys is such an important one. It sounds as though you are a great source of love, support and stability for them. Don’t understimate how powerful this is.
Karen, the advice you have provided is fabulous, so I am hoping you can assist me. I am in a new relationship with a man whose children are quite young – 6 and 8, compared to mine who are all young adults. We have decided that it is time for me to meet the kids. Having step-parents myself I VERY much want to ensure this is done in a way that is best for the children. We have already discussed making sure we meet in neutral territory and taking it slow (the majority of time I spend with their father will be when the children are at their mum’s)…I would really appreciate any additional advice you can provide. Cheers, Stephanie
It sounds as though you are on the right track to be a wonderful presence in their lives. The main thing to remember is to take it slow, and that this will be an adjustment for them. Go gently and let them take the lead when you can. Make sure they still have the opportunity to have special time with their father, and to let them know this isn’t about choosing between you and their mum. If it takes a little while to adjust, or if there are bumps along the way, don’t take it personally. There are a lot of feelings they will be sorting through. It sounds as though you have a great plan in place, and are beautifully sensitive to what they need.
Hi! I’ve known my stepdaughter since she was 8 and she is now 23. We are much alike and have gotten along pretty well. Her teenage years were especially tough since she lived with us every other week and her mom and dad do and did not get along at all. My husband and I have been married for 11 years now and due to issues with his divorce and extreme animosity between him and his ex, we lost our house for financial reasons, my husband declared bankruptcy, and he was involved in divorce proceeding for almost 10 years during our marriage. I always struggled with feeling like my husband’s past made it difficult for us to focus on us. The final straw happened when his difficult ex dropped a cat she didn’t want anymore at our house when we were not at home. She thought it was time for my husband to deal with it! I was flabbergasted that this occurred, but my husband and his two kids 2 older sons and his daughter) acted like it was just something that their mom would do. I felt like I was in the twilight zone and felt like st this point I distanced myself from my husband and his kids and some of the craziness. This past year, we were finally were able to move and buy a new house after many years of struggle. I thought we were finally getting a fresh start and was looking forward to our own place full of peace, joy and fun! After a month, my stepdaughter mentioned she needed a place to live. We worked to remodel a room for her. Then she informed us that she had signed a lengthier lease with her mom’s help and didn’t need to move in with us after all. I was very hurt. I was also mad that we had spent so much effort on her room when she knew she really didn’t need one yet. We told her that if she needed a place to live in the future, we needed to talk with her before moving in with us. One weekend in May, we came home from a trip and all her belongings were dumped in our basement. She did not leave a note or text or call to let us know what she was doing. She told us she didn’t know what else to do. I was angry and felt taken advantage of. She had now been living with us for three months. She runs with friends and works almost all the time. She is never at home and there are days go by and we don’t see her. Her room is a mess, laundry is never done, etc. etc. I am having a really hard time with this situation. I feel like my house is not the way I want it to be and because we never know when she is coming or going, my life feels unsettled and as though we are a storage facility. This is creating stress between my husband and me. He thinks I am too hard on my stepdaughter. I don’t know what to do. If I try to communicate how I feel to her, she gets very defensive or my husband asks what I’m writing. I feel stifled. Any ideas of how I can handle this all better? I sure would applreciate it! I love my stepdaughter, but have distanced myself from her because I don’t feel close to her or like we are really part of her life at all. Thank you!!!
I completely understand why you’re so frustrated with this situation. One of the biggest difficulties with stepfamilies is the conflict between the different needs of the adults in the family. The way to deal with this is the same way in any family. Decide what is important to you, listen to what’s important to everyone else and work together to come up with something that everyone can live with. I wish there was an easier, more definite way to deal with this. When you have the conversation, begin by letting everyone know that you are interested in working out a way for everyone to walk away happier. Ask what they need from you, or from the family, and focus on the specific behaviours you would like to see changed. I wish you all the best and hope you are able to find a compromise that works for you.
Wow! Your story is just amazing and unbelievable. That’s a partner in life for good and bad. I know guys have a different view of the whole picture in general and as a wife I can tell that seeing how they stay passive it brings a lot of stress. I think they should keep an eye on “our feelings” as our partner. I mean nothing happens if your stepdaugther goes in and out, no laundry, no communication…but would it be the same if you start going out, meeting your friends without much notice?? I don’t think so. The floors would’ve shaked if it were us. So many times I find myself creating my own speech to be heard and be seen! We got married accepting our husbands and their kids but they also hace to understand that we are there and we run the house too. You are an example of a great wife and after all the struggles I think he should see his wife and check on you. He is very lucky and you deserve the life you’ve been waiting for so long. All the best
My wife to be and I have been together three years. I have two children that she is the stepmother to. She does great with one and a strong bond is there. However, my younger son and her do not get along. To the point I fear for our family lasting. They resent each other. She isn’t responding to any of the reading I’ve done about this and has given up. I just want a happy family, but I fear of being forced to make a choice between the woman I love and my son. And it will always be my son.
Great article. Im a stepdad of an 18 yr. We are having a graduation party for him soon. I married his mom when he was 4. And after 14 yrs i still feel uncomfortable being at a gathering with the biological father. I hate the fact that im going to take pictures with him and even worse i have to take pics of him and my wife. I know im being petty but i cant help my feelings. I do recognize that my struggle with low self esteem are at play here. The biological parent and i have always gotten along, and ive stayed in the background and never interfered. The problem is me and i wish i were different.
Richard everything you are describing makes so much sense and is completely understandable! It is NOT petty – not at all! It sounds as though you and the biological parent have done a great job of making things work as best as they can, and that you have put the needs of your stepson above your own. This isn’t easy, which is why step-parenting can be such a tough gig. Be kind to yourself and give yourself permission to feel a bit ‘off’ about it all. There is absolutely nothing wrong with wishing it could be different. It doesn’t make you any less of a husband, co-parent or step-parent. It makes you wonderfully, imperfectly, human.