By Anonymous
Parenting is hard. Whether you are doing it alone or with a partner, it is hard work.
I have been doing the single-parent thing for a while now but I was lucky enough to have someone reenter my life that in all honesty, I have always loved. He and I have a long history and my kids already knew and loved him. There were lots of judgments made on both him and me and it was not an easy road to get to where we are today which is owning a home and raising three children together regardless of the criticism that we have received.
Men who enter into already existing families have a tough job. It isn’t one to be taken lightly. So in honor of my significant other, and all the other step-dads and step-dads-to-be out there, I would like to thank you today!
I would like to thank each of you for taking us single moms as we are. It is not an easy thing to give up your way of life for someone else, let alone someone who is carrying their fair share of baggage. (Hold the hate mail, I am well aware that kids aren’t “baggage,” it is just a saying) You stepped into the position of step dad without any complaints and we appreciate that than anything in this world.
Thank you for loving our kids. Thank you for waking up at three in the morning when there is a screaming three year old demanding her blanket is not correct. Thank you for coming up with ways to help a six year old learn her sight words so she will not fall behind when she reaches the first grade. Thank you for making a chore chart for an eight year old who wants to earn allowance. Thank you for all of the times you make boo-boos better and eat your dinner late so that you can spend as much time as you can after work giving out hugs and watching the new tricks they can do on their scooters. You are super heroes.
Aside from all that you do for the kids, thank you for all that you do for us; your wives, your girlfriends. We would be lost without you. Thank you for being there to make us feel better when the kids are away for time with their dad. Thank you for sitting on the porch with us when you get home from work instead of showering so that you can hear about our day because you know we just want to talk. Thank you for forgiving us when we lash out at you for things that are not your fault simply because we are frustrated with the day. Thank you for being there.
In my situation, I am glad to say that I have never been happier than I am right now. The kids are happy and lucky enough to not only have parents that love them, but an amazing bonus dad that is there for them every day and loves them and their mom a whole whole lot.
Thank you Step Dads! We love you!
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