Page 68 - MAY_2017

If you see your stepchild sad or even happy,
it’s nice to chat about where that feeling
came from and how you can be involved
to help that scenario for example; if your
stepchild comes home from school feeling
sad, getting involved and allowing your
stepchild to feel that it’s okay to open up
to you to elaborate their feelings will not
only grow a stronger feeling of confidence
to your stepchild, they will feel more trust
between the two of you; ensure you can
involve yourself in finding a positive solution.

ACCEPTANCE
Accepting there is another “father figure”
other than yourself may be hard. Even
though you are living under the same roof
as your stepchild, they will always relate
certain situations to their biological father
even though they see more of you. It’s
completely normal for your stepchild to
always bring up their biological dad, it’s a
normal healing process of being in a divorced
situation therefore feeling the wholeness &
completion of “family” is important to your
stepchild. You have to be the one who makes
the first move in terms of bonding, assisting,
giving helpful advice and knowledge as your
little stepchild depends on you for guidance.
Even though you may be titled “stepdad”,
your role is a whole lot more significant in
their life as they see you 24/7 seven days a
week.

LAUGH TOGETHER
Playtime is crucial to the bonding of
stepfather and child. It builds trust, self-
esteem, connects both of your sense of
humour together and aids in lightheartedness
after playing the role of the “parent”. Being
a part of your stepchild’s playtime makes
them feel comfortable to you. Not only that,
you are giving up a part of your leisure
time, which instantly increases likeliness.
Whether you are taking them to the park
to play ball, making quirky jokes, playing
arts and crafts together, sharing interests in
videogames, or watching a funny movie of
their choice, these will subsequently aid in a
warm, trusting relationship between the two

68 may 2017 | mychild