Step Parenting

Step parent adoption is a process which is relatively simple in most of the States in the United States. And it can be a rewarding experience if the parents are able to understand the responsibilities which accompanies it. It's a lifelong relationship with no possibility of reverting even if you wish to do so. If you are someone planning to adopt a child, it is highly recommended that you should understand your duties as a step parent. Adopting the child is the end of a relationship and the beginning of an entirely new relationship in a child's life. After making sure that the child you wish to adopt is emotionally prepared for the change, you can take the matter forward to the next level. Initiate the official process by registering a petition in the court with the required information. For instance, the credentials of the step parents and the child. It should also contain the information on the circumstances which led to the decision. In some States, a supplemen

Here's an eye opener: while the divorce rate among couples married for the first time is slightly over fifty percent, it's even higher among those with second marriages. And because nearly three-quarters of those who end their first marriages in divorce marry again within three to five years, there are a lot of kids going through not one, but two divorces. The entire process of divorce, remarriage, and step-parenting is one that needs to be carefully examined by those who are thinking about committing themselves and their kids to life as a step-family. Blended families are the largest growing family sector in the US, and it's up to the marrying couple to understand the complex set of realities awaiting them when the honeymoon is over. Divorce leaves the children of a first marriage already having to cope with separate parents in separate households, and trying to relate to each natural parent in a new way. Remarriage means step-mom or step-dad is thrown into the mix, an

Step Parent Question and Answer I have a twenty-three year old step son who moved back home a year ago. He has a job, but refuses to help out or even try to find a place of his own, and I know he's trying to cause problems between his father and I. What can I do? As a step parent, the first thing you need to do is have a heart-to-heart talk with your husband. Rather than focusing on your fears, focus on the opportunities presented by this situation. Start off by telling your husband that you love him very much and that you know how much his son means to him. Since he cares for him so much, he needs to help him grow into a man who can take care of himself and his family, rather than enabling him. In order for this to happen, suggest that he establish firm ground rules that encourage a sense of responsibility and help prepare his son for the realities of moving out and living on his own. Since you are the step parent, make your husband responsible for laying down the rules and enforc

The best step-parents will leave the most memories in a child's lifetime. It's up to the parent and their new spouse to ensure they make the most memorable memories together. Open communication lines must be established right from the start. Here are some tips on how to make sure your new spouse is the best step parent ever.     Talk to your new spouse and your kids about their expectations. How would they like to be treated by the other person?     Clarify upfront that there should be no disrespect from either of them.You don't want to be caught in the middle of that.     Decide how you will handle misbehaviours. If you as the parent should step in and exercise a punishment on the child or if the step parent will take the task upon themselves. Make sure you feel comfortable with them giving out punishment to your kids.     Do they know what they want to gain from the relationship with your kids? Explain this to your kids so they know what they will gain from the new marria

Step parenting has a high learning curve. A new parent comes in and suddenly needs to know all about raising children. On top of that, there are usually child custody issues going on that the step parent needs to be aware of and know about. This may be a lot of unfamiliar ground for the step parent to cover. Here is some helpful information about parenting plans that can make step parenting easier. Your spouse and the child's other biological parent should have created a parenting plan or custody agreement. If the custody case is still going on, they are still in the process of making this plan. The plan gives details about how the child custody arrangements will go and the responsibilities of each parent. Basically, it is the individual law book that governs this particular child custody situation. The biggest part of the parenting plan is the custody and visitation schedule. This is something every step parent should know very well and make accommodations for. If the marriage bet

Step parenting involves dealing with a lot of child custody issues. These issues range from making sure one of the parents can pick up a child for visitation to preparing for custody court. For many step parents, learning how to deal positively with the custody issues cuts down on stress and helps them develop good relationships with the children and with their spouse. Here are some suggestions for step parents about how to deal with some of the bigger child custody issues. 1. Financial issues. A big part of the child custody process involves money. Step parents should be prepared to handle the financial aspects of the custody situation. This means sitting down with their spouse and finding out the exact expenses for the custody case. On top of monthly child support payments, they parents may need to pay for school expenses, extra-curricular expenses, and other living expenses for the child. If there has been a long, bitter child custody case there could also be substantial debt to an