Ive been a step - mum for 3 and a hakf years now , i cant say its been easy because bringing up any child isnt easy , but i can definatly say it was worth it , ok if you have not got your own child the motherly bond

Sometimes step parenting can be hard and you sometimes simular things will be going round you head

Why do i bother?

Am i doing the right thing?

I will never become a good mum / dad to this child?

Can i do this

Will he/she grow up hating me?

Will the child think ive drove mummy and daddy apart?

etc

But you can beat the bad times and its usually more good timeas to bad times , it does get easier by that i dont mean that bringing up another persons child is easy because its not and sometimes it can be very stressful and can effect you emotionally from time to time. I have both a step daughter and a daughter who i love both dearly , Sometimes i feel my love for my daughter is stronger than my love for my step daughter but after alll its normal . For a long time i let it get to me that i was a bad person for having more feelings for my daughter than to my step daughter but after a little while i realised im not bad ive done nothing wrong , ive taken on somebody elses child i have supported them , i was there when she needed me , i was there when she was hurt , i was there when  she wanted a kiss/ cuddle or some loving , i was there when she needed to get something off her chest , no matter the problem your there what reason will this child have to hate you they wont they will cherish you and respect you for it .

For those of you that are thinking of becoming a step parent and are doubting it DONT stop and think what really is for the best for both you and the child , i doubted it and wish i never i lost a very special time in my step daughters life and regret every day i was away , as having any child you have the good times and the bad but you make it more good times and be happy with your step family i never regret taking my step daughter on and never will it was the best thing i ever done .

Sometimes a child will want answers , either from yourself if they trust you enough or they will go to their natural parent , my advice there is dont lye to them dont let them think badly of theother parent as they will only hold it against you and thats something you dont want just tell them the truth in the nicest possible way

Those of you who are already step parents i take my hat off to you , keep it up and remember its all worth all the work

I wish you all all the best .

Emz