Stepmoms/Stepparents

Saw this on Facebook & thought I would share. My oldest daughter (who is 12) has only known me as Mom since she was about 4. Her mother is a sad, pathetic waste of life, unfortunately, and chooses to live her life as such. For those stepparents out there doing their best, or maybe even to the parent who is jealous or hates the stepparent, I hope this helps someone somewhere:

"Being a stepmom isn't just a title. It isn't just a name people call you because you signed a marriage license to someone who had a child. These days, being a stepmom is almost used as an insult. "Oh well you're not the child's REAL parent, so step back." Let me tell you what a stepmom does that no one ever sees. A stepmom holds hands, kisses boo-boos, and runs into bedrooms when they're screaming because of whatever monster came in and interrupted their sleep. A stepmom brushes hair, scolds, and watches Mother Goose Club a million times until the songs become an endless replay in their head. A stepmom cooks dinner, steps on legos, and reads bedtime stories. We spend everyday planning activities for the weekends we have the child and take tons of pictures for the lonely days when they're not in their bedroom trying to convince us to play with them. A stepmom pushes aside their own wants and needs for a child they didn't create. Let me tell you, stepparents. It took so long for me to stop feeling bad at what people made me out to be. You love the child voluntarily and thats the hardest, most overlooked love to give. You love their parent and love their kid because they're apart of them. Dont allow anyone to discredit you because you didn't physically give birth to them. People will knock you down without realizing that you CHOSE to carry the financial weight of court fees and child support. You chose to put up with angry conversations and ex-spouses. You chose to put yourself in the spotlight to be ridiculed, degraded, and rejected for the love of a little one. When their innocent voice calls out for you, remember that it is all worth it. That baby doesn't see you as JUST a stepparent. They see you as their hero. It's okay to cry in the midst of a situation you can't control. It's okay to have moments where you're an inch from giving up. Just don't. It's not easy all the time and people will look at you like you're a threat. Stand firm and wear your stepparent title like a BOSS. It is by far the most difficult, yet rewarding role to have. Don't shy away from it. You've learned how to love deeper beyond yourself and for that, you deserve to call yourself a parent. So STEPparents, thank you for STEPping up."